Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) are also stylish heralds of spring in pots. Some care details should be noted when cultivating in pots.

In a nutshell

  • Potted daffodils more susceptible to frost
  • no overwintering of potted daffodils outdoors
  • higher water requirement in pots and tubs than in beds

Best planting time

Autumn is the best time to plant daffodil bulbs in pots and tubs. As with the bed planting, a period between September and November is available for this. The earlier they are planted, the sooner the flowers will appear.

plant

There is limited space in pots, which is why the right pot size plays a particularly important role here. Also, not every kind of soil is good. The following are the most important points to consider when planting daffodils:

  • Pot size: depth at least 25 centimeters; Width at least 20 centimeters
  • Substrate: high-quality, loose, permeable to water, rich in nutrients (preferably with perlite or sand for improved permeability)
  • Planting depth of the bulbs: between eight and 15 centimetres
  • with several bulbs in the pot planting distance between 15 to 20 centimeters (choose a correspondingly large flower pot)

Ideal location

Basically, a daffodil needs a cool but frost-free location. It should also meet other criteria:

  • Ambient temperature: between ten and 15 degrees Celsius
  • Light conditions: sunny to semi-shady
  • avoid strong, hot sunlight
  • not too high humidity, otherwise there is a risk of mold
  • ideal locations, for example unheated stairwells or bedrooms

Tip: If you want to put a daffodil on the balcony or terrace, you should definitely pay attention to a wind and rain-protected location and provide the flower pot/pot and the soil with insulating protection against the cold. Then the chances are much better that the onions will not go moldy and/or freeze to death.

pour

The water requirement is relatively high when cultivating daffodils in pots, especially during the flowering period. It is important that they never dry out, but also that they do not stand in accumulated water. A humidity check should be carried out before each scheduled watering to gauge the ideal time. This works best with the thumb test, in which the finger is pressed lightly into the earth's surface. The following results indicate the need for watering:

  • Thumb easily indents two or more centimeters: do not pour
  • Thumb can be pressed in less than two centimeters: pour

Fertilize

The Narcissus pseudonarcissus has a relatively high nutrient requirement. Most of the nutrients are consumed in particular for the formation of flowers and during the flowering period. Therefore, it should be fertilized as follows:

  • about a month before flowering (depending on the planting from January)
  • around four weeks after flowering (end of May/June)
  • Suitable fertilizer: liquid fertilizer or stick fertilizer

To cut

When pruning a daffodil, it is important to be careful and pay attention to important details:

  • After flowering, cut off withered parts or flower stalks because of unnecessary loss of nutrients
  • Flower pruning prevents seed formation, for which nutrients are lost
  • Always start the cut as far as possible at the bottom of the stem
  • never cut off leaves, because they produce nutrients and transport them to the bulb (important for new flowering in the following year)
  • Only cut off leaves in mid/end of June when no more green is visible (should be completely yellow)

Tip: Be sure to wear gloves when cutting daffodils because they contain toxic substances. Contact with it can lead to skin irritation and trigger allergies. They are particularly poisonous to dogs and cats, which is why they should always be kept out of reach.

repot

If the daffodil has experienced extensive vegetation from early spring, the flower pot or bucket can quickly become too small. This can be seen at the latest when the soil is heavily rooted. In order to maintain the willingness to bloom, repotting into a larger container is essential. The following information serves as a guide on how to do it correctly:

  • best time: after flowering (if not stored)
  • choose a new vessel that is at least four centimeters larger than the previous one
  • use fresh, nutrient-rich substrate
  • Repotting is also advisable when the willingness to flower decreases

Tip: Repotting is the ideal time to propagate a daffodil by separating the bulbs.

After wilting

Because daffodils die above ground in summer and can dry out in the hot sun, the bulbs should be removed. That's how it's done:

  • Carefully dig up onions from pots/tubs
  • Remove soil from onions
  • Store in a shady, cool, dry place
  • optimal: lay out on newspaper or something similar
  • do not water and low humidity

Overwinter in pots

Daffodils in pots and tubs are best overwintered frost-free. Although most varieties are considered hardy, this usually only refers to overwintering in the garden soil. There the soil protects against enormous cold and complete soil freezing.

After storage, the daffodils are put back into the container in September/October as described above. The normal cycle of vegetation with appropriate care starts all over again.

frequently asked Questions

Can daffodils be planted from the pot into the bed?

Yes. If you planted your daffodils in pots in autumn, you should wait until after flowering before planting them in the garden bed. Otherwise, the move would cost too much energy and have a negative effect on flowering. Ideally, you store the bulbs over the summer as described in the guide and only plant the bulbs in the garden bed in the fall.

When can daffodils in pots be put outside?

From February it is possible to put them outside. Since the bulbs are slightly "spoiled" by the previously frost-free environment, you should keep an eye on the outside temperatures. Because severe temperature drops can still occur, it is advisable to equip pots/tubs with protection against the cold. Also make sure that the soil is not soaked too much, as this will cause the substrate to freeze through even more quickly.

How long can daffodils last in pots?

With proper care, they have the same life expectancy as daffodils in the garden bed. The flowering time is also about the same. However, this can start about two weeks earlier if the plants are growing at constant temperatures above ten degrees Celsius. Depending on the variety, the flowering period usually ends at the end of May at the latest.

Category:

Garden plants