When to dig up daffodils after flowering

As soon as the spring warmth sets in, daffodils bloom in the gardens, bright yellow, dazzling white with a yellow center. The daffodil belongs to the Amaryllis family, in which there are almost 60 species. Only 20 species are cultivated by gardeners in Europe, China, and Japan. For many peoples, a fragile yellow flower is considered a talisman: legends were made about it, holidays were arranged in its honor, ceremonies were held.

Narcissus (Narcissus) is a perennial plant that reproduces by a bulb. When a gardener digs tulips and daffodils after flowering - this is discussed later in the article.

Lovely daffodil

Narcissist traits

The primrose bulb is ovoid and covered with brown scales. A flower has been growing in one place for more than one year. Children appear around him, each of which quickly becomes an independent plant. The leaves of the flower grow from the root, they are long and narrow, gray-green in color. In April - May, the daffodil throws out a long peduncle, at the top of which a flower appears, reaching 4-6 cm in diameter. The plant blooms for about two weeks.

Features of growing daffodils

Narcissus is an unpretentious culture, but before planting a flower, you need to choose a sunny place, protected from drafts.

About soil preparation

A sunny flower is suitable for neutral soil, which was fertilized with humus a year before planting. If the soil is alkaline, then dolomite flour should be scattered over the area (200 g of the preparation will be required per 1 m²). Acidic soils are neutralized with wood ash (1 glass per 1 m²). Peat and sand are added to clay soils, black soil and fertilizers are added to sandy soils.

Two landing options

Many gardeners ask when to dig up bulbs and plant daffodils. Daffodils can be planted at different times of the year:

• during spring planting, planting holes are dug in the prepared area. Gardeners believe that the depth of the hole should correspond to three diameters of the bulb. At the bottom of the hole, wood ash should be poured, an onion should be placed there, half covered with earth mixed with compost, watered, filled with soil to the top, tamped;
• autumn planting begins with digging the site and applying fertilizers - superphosphate, peat, fertilizer for flowering plants. It is necessary to plant it as in the spring, only watering should be moderate. Bulbous plants root perfectly at a temperature of 5-7 ° C.

Planting daffodils

Daffodil care

Flower care begins from the moment the shoots appear:

• flowers need to be opened, dry grass removed;
• the plant needs to be fed with a complex fertilizer, which contains calcium, phosphorus and sodium;
• after the appearance of peduncles, a second feeding with nitrogen and potassium preparations is carried out, the last one is a complex feeding after the flowers have blossomed;
• the soil must be loosened, weeded from weeds;
• if it's a dry spring, you need to think about watering.

When to dig (spring or fall) daffodils?

Ideal time to dig up daffodils after flowering

An experienced gardener will determine when to transplant a daffodil by flowers. If the flowers are not so large, then it's time to transplant the bush. Digging should be done in dry, sunny weather. Step-by-step process of how to do everything right:

1. The bush is removed from the ground and cleaned.
2. Inspection of the planting material is carried out and the damaged ones are separated.
3. Next, you need to divide the colony of onions, select the whole ones and put to dry.

So when to dig up the daffodil bulbs? Simple daffodils grow in one place for 5-7 years. Before this time, you should not disturb the plant. Hybrid varieties, which are distinguished by large double flowers, unusual color (Ice King, Dinky, Androels, Atol Palace, Christmass Valley, Berkeley Court), require a high agricultural background for cultivation, therefore it is recommended to plant them every year.

Terry daffodils

How to store daffodil bulbs at home

Many are also interested in how to store the bulbs of daffodil primroses. Daffodil tubers are laid out for several hours in the open air, but not in the sun, hot rays can cause burns. After the soil begins to crumble from the roots, they can be transferred to a well-ventilated barn, the temperature in which does not exceed 20 ° C. In such a place, planting material can be perfectly preserved. Gardeners use other storage methods:

• in basements in spacious boxes. You can lay them in layers, but you must separate them with newspaper sheets;
• you can hang the bulbs in a canvas (tulle or nylon) bag;
• if there are few daffodils, then they can be planted in the ground, taking flower pots for this. Then it is boring to put the flowers in the basement for the winter, and in the spring just transfer them into the prepared holes;
• owners of summer cottages are trying to store seed on the balcony. This method is not suitable for winter storage;
• It is not recommended to store in the refrigerator for several reasons: the bulbs do not tolerate dampness, and if they are placed in a tightly closed bag, they will suffocate, since the specific gas released by the tubers will accumulate.

Treatment of tubers from diseases and pests

Daffodils, like other bulbous plants, are susceptible to various fungal diseases:

• decay of the bottom - fusarium. The causative agent of the disease penetrates through the roots. The leaves turn yellow, then turn brown and dry. If you touch the onion, then it is soft. Sometimes gardeners do not attach importance to this and plant soft bulbs next to others, which causes the spread of the focus of the disease. If you pay attention to the white bloom between the dark brown scales, you can prevent the development of the disease;
• the disease can also develop as a result of inept agrotechnical measures: in a hot summer, a gardener processes a daffodil plantation with high doses of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, infection can occur if the transportation conditions are not followed;
• botrytis (popularly call this disease as gray flower). It is difficult to notice the manifestation of the disease on the tubers: small black spots are hidden under the scales, which clearly appear on the leaves during the growth period. Peduncles, flowers can rot.Gray rot penetrates through the soil and diseased bulbs. Prolonged rains contribute to the spread. An infected bulb will not give real sprouts and will infect another plant, therefore, in the fall, it is necessary to carefully examine the planting material;

Infected Narcissus Bulb

• sclerotinosis (sclerocial rot), like gray rot, begins with the appearance of black dots on the bulbs, around which a white bloom appears (gardeners call it cotton wool). Infected bulbs do not sprout and rot. The main factor of distribution is long-term cultivation of the bush without transplanting. The fungus is transmitted by improper storage of planting material;
• Penicillus rot can be recognized by the greenish color on the bulb. Diseased tubers are not stored, they rot. Infection can occur if it rains continuously or the planting material is stored at low temperatures. Contribute to the development of fungus and mechanical damage.

Tuber processing is carried out before planting:

Spring primroses

Prevention of diseases and pests

Prevention measures will also help to save primroses:

• the preparation for feeding the plant must be prepared strictly according to the instructions. An excess of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds provokes the development of fusarium, and potash fertilizers reduce the risk of infection;
• if an outbreak of fungal rot was noticed in the fall, then the daffodil flower bed must be moved to another place;
• after the growing season in daffodils has passed, you need to remove and burn dried shoots;
• before placing the bulbs for storage, it is necessary to disinfect the place and container;
• compliance with storage conditions is also important;
• only healthy tubers need to be planted.

Compliance with these necessary measures will allow you to enjoy the blooming daffodils lawn every year.

Daffodils are wonderful primroses that are indispensable in a mixborder. In combination with tulips, hyacinths and irises, charming compositions can be created. But, in order to admire the beautiful blooming daffodils every year, it is necessary to follow the agrotechnical rules related to planting and care.