Characteristics of Narcissus, Common Varieties and Hydroponic Care Methods
Narcissus is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Narcissus in the Amaryllidaceae family, and is also one of China's traditional famous flowers. Its flowering period is mostly from winter to early spring, and it has long been known by the elegant name "Fairy of the Rippling Waves." The plant stores nutrients in its plump bulbs, and its leaves are flat, narrow and elongated, taking a strap-like form. The flower scape is drawn out from the leaf cluster, bearing several small white flowers at its tip, with the corona mostly yellow, and its fragrance is delicate and long-lasting.
Among commonly cultivated narcissus, Chinese narcissus (Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis) is the main type. By flower form it can be divided into two categories: single-petaled and double-petaled. The single-petaled type is commonly known as "Golden Cup and Silver Terrace," while the double-petaled type is commonly known as "Jade Exquisite." In addition, there are species such as yellow narcissus and garden narcissus, whose flower colors are more varied and which are mostly grown in pots for ornamental viewing. In the appreciation of Chinese orchid (Cymbidium), the narcissus petal is also one of the important petal types alongside the plum petal and lotus petal, and quite a few famous cultivars of Chunlan (Cymbidium goeringii) and Jianlan (Cymbidium ensifolium) take their names from this.
For home care, narcissus is mostly grown hydroponically. Select a plump and firm bulb, peel off the outer brown dried skin, and place it in shallow water. During the care period, it is best to keep it in an environment with ample light and relatively cool temperatures. Insufficient light easily causes the leaves to grow leggy and the flower scape to become thin and weak, while excessively high temperatures will shorten the flowering period. In daily care, pay attention to changing the water to keep it clean, and it can also be transferred to soil culture in a pot.
When in bloom, narcissus is elegant and pleasant, and is often used as a Lunar New Year flower to adorn halls and studies, symbolizing good fortune and beauty. It should be noted that narcissus bulbs contain toxic components, and contact of the sap with the skin may cause discomfort. After handling, hands should be washed promptly. If there are young children or pets in the home, it should be placed properly to avoid accidental ingestion.
