How to Grow Narcissus? A Detailed Guide to the Cultivation Methods of the "Fairy on the Waves"
Narcissus is one of China's traditional famous flowers, blooming in spring with elegant and beautiful colors and high ornamental value, and is known as the “Fairy on the Waves”. So today, the editor will share with you the cultivation methods of narcissus. Let's take a look together!
1. Selecting the bulb
The first step in the hydroponic cultivation of narcissus is choosing the bulb. Externally, you should pick a healthy, plump, flattened bulb. If there are more small bulblets beside the main bulb, it means the narcissus has more flower buds. The outer skin of the narcissus bulb should be brightly colored, the spacing between the lines of the scale skin should be wide, and the bulb should be firm and have a certain weight. If it feels solid when gently pinched with the fingers, that is good. If the depression at the bottom of the bulb is small and deep, it means this bulb has a higher water content, and the germination rate and survival rate will be low.
2. Treating the bulb and potting it
After choosing the narcissus bulb, the next step is to pot it. Peel off the outer skin of the carefully selected narcissus bulb, remove the protective soil and dead roots at the base, then use a small knife to peel off 3-4 layers of outer skin from the bulb so that the flower buds inside the bulb are exposed. Be careful not to damage the flower buds when peeling. Then put the bulb in clean water and soak it overnight, after which it can be placed directly into a shallow narcissus pot, with water added to submerge one third of the bulb.
3. Light and temperature
During the water culture period of narcissus, it is especially important to provide sufficient light. During the day it should be placed in a sunny spot, and at night it can be placed under lamplight. This can prevent the stems and leaves of the narcissus from growing leggy, making the leaves short, wide, thick and sturdy, with a deep green leaf color and fragrant flowers. Narcissus grows well in a 10-15 degree environment, and can bloom in about 45 days, with the flowering period lasting more than a month.
4. Fertilizer and water management
Hydroponic narcissus requires good fertilizer and water management. Just after potting, the narcissus can have its water changed once a day, then once every 2-3 days afterward, and once a week after the flower buds form. For hydroponic narcissus, it is best not to use tap water, as pollution in tap water can cause root rot. Generally, spring water, well water or rainwater can be used. If there is really no spring water or well water, tap water can be left to stand overnight before use.
Hydroponic narcissus should only be fertilized after one week, because by then the roots have grown mature and fertilizing will not damage the roots. During these few days of fertilizing, do not change the water. Under normal circumstances, hydroponic narcissus does not need fertilizing. If conditions permit, a little quick-acting phosphorus fertilizer can be applied during the flowering period, and the flowers will bloom better.
The flowers of narcissus are elegant and beautiful, and it is also a traditional famous flower of China. Some middle-aged and elderly people especially love to grow it. Since the bulb part of the narcissus is slightly toxic, extra care is still needed.
The above is the cultivation method of narcissus compiled for you by the editor of Tuliu.com. We hope it can help you!