Methods to extend the flowering period of narcissus and when they apply

  Narcissus, with its graceful blooms riding the waves and its rich fragrance, is an important ornamental flower for New Year's Day and the Spring Festival. It can both beautify courtyards and be featured in narcissus exhibitions. The narcissus asks for very little; a single basin of clear water is enough for it to live out its entire life. It does not care that life is short, nor does it mind being abandoned after it withers -- after all, has it not once bloomed its most beautiful flowers? So do you know when the narcissus blooms at its most beautiful?

  Because it is easy to grow in water, it is deeply loved by the general public; at present, it is widely grown in water across northern and southern China as an indoor ornamental flower for winter and spring. However, many people do not know how to make narcissus bloom during New Year's Day and the Spring Festival, or how to extend the flowering period after it blooms. A brief introduction follows below.

  I. When does the narcissus bloom

  1. Blooming time

  Narcissus, also known as the fairy of the waves, differs from many flowers in that it grows in autumn, blooms in winter, and goes dormant in summer. Generally, it blooms around the Spring Festival; at the earliest, it blooms in January, and with proper care, the flowering period can last until March.

  2. How long it takes to bloom

  Narcissus is grown in water and needs the water changed once a day at first, then once every 2-3 days; after the flower buds form, changing the water once a week is sufficient. The normal growing temperature for narcissus is 10-15 degrees C. Under normal water culture, it will bloom in 45-50 days, and the flowering period lasts more than a month. If adverse weather occurs before or after blooming, with temperatures fluctuating and insufficient light, human intervention is needed: control the room temperature and use fluorescent lamps to supplement light to promote blooming.

  II. Methods for controlling the flowering period

  Generally, narcissus bulbs under normal water culture will bloom on schedule in 45-50 days. So-called normal water culture means ensuring that after the narcissus is placed in water, it receives 6 hours of light per day and the room temperature is kept at around 10-15 degrees C. If the weather turns abnormal, with insufficient light and temperatures that are too low (or too high), measures must be taken so that the narcissus can bloom on schedule.

  1. When the temperature is too low and light is insufficient, you can replace the water in the narcissus basin with warm water at 12-15 degrees C; at night, wrap the narcissus basin with plastic film and use a 60-watt light placed 40-50 cm from the flowers to raise the temperature and boost lighting. At the same time, spray water on the narcissus leaves to prevent a sudden rise in temperature.

  2. When the temperature is too high, add an appropriate amount of cold water to the narcissus basin, and at night pour out the water from the basin for low-temperature treatment; this can delay the blooming of the narcissus.

  III. Methods for extending the flowering period

  1. Temperature control