"That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. "
William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850 ), English poet.
When William Wordsworth described these beautiful flowers as golden daffodils dancing in the breeze, he wasn't exaggerating. Anyone who has witnessed these blooms will vouch for the poet's words. An English name, daffodils are spring flowering bulbous plants that belong to the Narcissus genus. This exotic looking flower is so beautiful that a society; American Daffodil Society (ADS) was founded in 1954, which dedicates itself to promoting interest and scientific research, which includes providing education about daffodils i.e its growing and culture. Daffodils are propagated through seeds as well as bulbs, though preference is given to daffodils bulbs than seeds, as it takes 5-7 years for a seedling to bloom.
Daffodil Bulb Care
The daffodil bulb like other bulbous plants is made of five parts; bottom of bulb from which roots grow (basal plate), storage tissues (fleshy scales), the skin like covering over flesh scales (tunic), developing flower and leaf buds (shoots) and new bulbous offsets (lateral buds). So while choosing your bulbs, make sure they are round or oblong in shape, firm and without any fungal infection. Daffodil flower's color is primarily yellow with plenty of shades and hues, but with more varieties being introduced colors such as white, cream, pink and orange are also available. The flower is a six petaled flower with a trumpet shaped structure set against it.
Forcing the Bulbs: Although spring season flowers, one can enjoy these bright blooms even in the cold winters by forcing them indoors or even outdoors. Forced bulbs will enable flowering from January through March. One can force bulbs using soil and water. Select a container with a good number of drainage holes. The size of the container is determined by the number of bulbs planted. Fill the pot a little above two third with commercial potting soil or your own mix (equal parts potting soil, peat moss and sand). Place the bulb's basal plate side down on the soil's surface. The bulbs can be pressed down lightly to make them stand. Add more soil, keep leveling it until only the tip of the bulbs are left exposed. After potting, water container thoroughly. For facilitating shoots, place container in a cold, dark place, at a temperature between 35 to 55 F for 12-16 weeks.
Besides, daffodils, even hyacinths, crocus, and other species in narcissus genus can be forced in water. Take a bowl of water (preferably a glass bowl) and line it with clean pebbles (colorful or white), stand daffodil bulbs with some support on the pebbles. Make sure only the bottom of the bulb from which roots grow touches the water. The glass bowl will enhance the flower colors splendidly. Another method is the use of a 'hyacinth glass vase'. This vase is specifically designed for forcing bulbs in water, if you can't get them try using a conical flask (a science laboratory apparatus). The vase or flask should have a tapered neck wide enough at the top to hold a daffodil bulb. Fill the jar with water only to a point where the bottom of the bulb just touches the water, the gap should be at least inch. Move the container to a sunny location at a temperature of 60 to 70 F. Once the forced bulbs are done flowering (especially ones forced in water), move the bulbs to the ground to facilitate nutrient replenishment and offset multiplication. Experts do not recommend the use of same bulbs for forcing again next season.
Planting Daffodil Bulbs: If you want your daffodils to flower in spring, then forcing is not required. The natural environmental condition along with water and soil will induce growth in them. Plant the bulbs in early autumn, by the end of September. This will give the bulbs plenty of time to root and establish themselves. Daffodils bulbs can be planted in ground or in pots. Choose a site with full sun to light shade. Till the soil deep to facilitate light and air movement to the roots and mix a layer of rich organic compost. Spacing bulbs six inches apart plant the bulb's pointed end up about eight to ten inches deep. Water thoroughly after planting. Avoid fertilizing the plant.
Caring for daffodil bulbs is very essential to maintain the vigor of the next season's growth. Once the flowering is over, cut back flower stalks to the ground, but not the leaves. Continue watering the plant, the foliage will turn yellow and die naturally. You can leave the bulbs in the ground, dig them out, dust off excess soil and store in mesh bags in a cool dry place, until next season. Good quality and well taken care of bulbs will ensure a glowing sun in your yard, year after year.
