Daffodils are very popular spring flowers in this country. They thrive in beds, in the lawn or in flower pots on the balcony or patio. Its white or yellow flowers are bell-like in shape. The flowers themselves can be seen from afar. Daffodils are easy-care plants. Once the bulbs have been planted, the plants will sprout again and again for several years. And with a little support, the bulb can still collect enough nutrients for the coming spring after flowering.
flower bulb
Daffodils are simply called daffodils because they usually bloom at Easter. In many places they are also called daffodils. Daffodils, botanically Narcissus pseudonarcissus, belong to the amaryllis plant family. Their botanical relatives include, for example, wild garlic, knight star and blood flower. Since they are spring flowers, like tulips and crocuses, they are also often included in the spring flowering family. However, this is not a botanical assignment. In addition to the flowering time, these spring bloomers also have another thing in common. A flower bulb sits in the soil and supplies the plant with nutrients.
life cycle
Flower bulb life cycle
The flower bulb is the energy store of the daffodil. In spring, it releases energy so that the first daffodil leaves can fight their way to the surface. Once the rays of the spring sun have arrived, the leaves serve as a source of nutrients for the bulb, which is now beginning to develop flowers. The third task of the bulb in spring is to release enough energy for the daffodil to set seeds after flowering. Once this task is done, the onion collects nutrients. These are stored during the hibernation so that the daffodil can be supplied with enough energy again in the coming spring.
- Flower bulbs are perennial
- Division possible every few years
- Discard extremely small bulbs
withered
Remove faded
When the flower of the daffodil has faded, it is used almost exclusively for seed formation. Seeds are important for the plant because they are used for reproduction. For the hobby gardener, the seeds are rather unimportant, since propagation by dividing the bulb is easier for him. Therefore, cut off faded flowers, but as close as possible below the flower, so that the stalk remains standing.
How to give double energy to the daffodil:
- Energy saving because no seeds are formed
- flowerless stalks as another valuable source of energy
leaves
energy from leaves
The daffodil leaves are a second important source of energy for the onion. Therefore you must not be cut off. They are only disposed of when they are yellow and dried up. Then the onion has "absorbed" all the nutrients from the leaves.
Tip: Also, when mowing the lawn, make sure that the leaves of the daffodils are not cut off.
Unfortunately, the yellowish daffodil leaves are a thorn in the side of many hobby gardeners because they don't look very pretty. If you are very bothered by it, but do not want to do without daffodils, you can do the following.
- tie the daffodil leaves together
- convert the plants
This way the leaves don't bother the garden any further and the onion can absorb the important nutrients.
Tip: Putting the bulbs in small plant baskets makes moving them easier.
Fertilize
Nutrient supply with fertilizer
Like other plants, daffodils are happy about additional nutrients. Spring is a particularly strenuous time for the onion. The following is suitable as fertilizer.
- solid or liquid fertilizers
- Multicomponent and universal fertilizer
horn meal
You can start fertilizing when the leaves are about ten centimeters above the ground. The last application of fertilizer occurs when the daffodils have withered. In this way you give them another portion of nutrients for the coming hibernation. Apply the fertilizer around the base of the leaves so that the bulb can optimally absorb it.