The Narcissus It is a whole genus of plants of the Amaryllidaceae family that come from Europe and the Mediterranean area, as well as Asia. These are plants highly valued by gardening enthusiasts thanks to their large flowers, as beautiful as they are fragrant. In fact, these plants are named after Narkissos, the beautiful demigod from Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection in a lake and drowned when he launched himself, the place where one of these flowers grew.
If you want to learn how to grow large and healthy daffodils, keep reading us in this Green Ecologist article where you will find one Gardening Guide to Daffodil Care.
Daffodils: characteristics
Most daffodils are bulbous plants that bloom between late winter and spring, although some of them can also bloom in autumn. Its flowers are very showy and, in addition, there are a large number of species, varieties and hybrids. Some daffodils can reach heights of up to 50 cm, although most are somewhat smaller. The most common and used daffodils in florists are the one with the trunk and the large cup, which give a single flower, in the latter case of large dimensions, and the small cup, with double flowers and jonquil, which produce several smaller flowers. size.
In all cases, its flowers have a characteristic trumpet shape, very easy to recognize, and tend to be yellow flowers, although they can also be found in orange and white tones. These flowers last about 20 days when kept in the right conditions, although the heat is not good for them.
If you like this type of plants, we recommend you to know these 15 plants with bulbs.
How to care for daffodils - a basic care guide
Daffodils are quite rustic plants with an enormous capacity for adaptation, thanks to which they are so widespread. However, if you want yours to look healthy and beautiful, there are some care you should take care of. These are the things to keep in mind about basic care of daffodils to keep them in an optimal state:
- Weather: They prefer somewhat cold climates and do not hold up well in hot areas.
- Location: semi-shadow.
- Substratum: light so that it drains well and something enriched with matter or organic compost.
- Irrigation: moderate but every so often to maintain a good level of humidity, without getting waterlogged.
- Pruning: you just have to remove the dried flowers and leaves. Remember to leave the bulbs buried to grow in the next season.
Also, if you get the bulbs of this plant, instead of acquiring the grown plant, we recommend this guide on When and how to plant daffodils.
Climate and location
Daffodils prefer climates a bit cold, and excess heat is one of your worst enemies. If you live in an area with very high temperatures for much of the year, you probably shouldn't try to grow daffodils.
With this in mind, it is easy to see that we must place our daffodils in cool places, regardless of whether we plant them outdoors or in a pot indoors. They need some humidity in the area, and they appreciate semi-shadow locations, with a large amount of ambient light but without receiving direct sunlight.
In fact, if we have our daffodils in an indoor pot, it is usual to move them according to the season: when the plant is in flowering season we will have the pot inside the house, while when it is finished, it is taken out again so that continue your natural cycle.
When daffodils are in bloom, it is important to keep them away from heat sources, such as heaters and radiators, which will cause the plant to shed its leaves much more quickly. Outdoors, on the other hand, you have to protect the plant from frost, since although it welcomes cold climates, temperatures below zero can freeze the flowers and kill it.
Soil or substrate
These flowers are not demanding with the type of soil or substrate in which they are going to be, and can adapt to practically anyone. Therefore, a general substrate that has been enriched with organic compost will be able to support the daffodil adequately. Yes, it is advisable to ensure that the mixture offers a good drainage level since, as in all bulbs, it is very necessary to avoid puddling of the soil.
When in doubt, we recommend using a universal substrate mix with a part of coconut fiber, a part of peat and one of worm castings. These proportions guarantee a light and airy substrate, very rich in nutrients and with optimal drainage. In addition, worm castings provide the soil with a large number of beneficial microorganisms.
Watering the daffodils
The daffodil is a plant typical of humid climates, so it requires very constant watering. To provide the plant with an adequate level of humidity without having to resort to too abundant waterings that could puddle the soil, it is best to give the daffodil moderate waterings but every little time, up to 2 and 3 times a day.
It is about contributing to the earth some water to keep it humid, in a reduced quantity. By doing it this way, we replicate the ideal humid climate for the plant without ever drowning it. In this other article we talk about When to water plants.
Daffodil pruning
The daffodil will appreciate the pruning of its Dead flowers, which must be carried out when they change color and it is evident that they have long dried. By pruning them, we prevent the plant from losing nutrients in a dead part, or from being affected by necrosis, thus facilitating its growth again.
If you want to read more articles similar to Daffodil care, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
