What to do with daffodils after flowering to make the flowers bloom again next year
Bright, white, and yellow daffodils are pleasing to the eye in gardens, flower beds, and surrounding areas. These plants bloom in April and May. After that, the flower stalks dry up, leaving thin leaves behind. This was reported by SSPDaily.
Many novice gardeners wonder what to do with daffodils after flowering - whether to wait until the leafy part dries completely and then dig up the bulbs, or to do it immediately after flowering.
We will tell you what you can and should do with daffodils after they have faded.
When and why to prune daffodils
Daffodil flowers should be cut when they become dry and fade.
"Cut off the stem above the leaves. Remove the flowers after they have faded to divert the plant's energy to storing in the bulb rather than producing seeds," advises gardening expert Sarah Raven.
"But you don't need to remove the leaves. Leave them on for at least 6 weeks after flowering," the expert recommends. "Cutting daffodil foliage too early after flowering is the most common cause of blind, non-flowering bulbs," Raven explains. "You need to leave the foliage to die naturally, without cutting it off or tying it in knots or rubber bands. This is the key to a lush bloom next year.
You can cut back the daffodils completely at the end of May.
How to fertilize daffodils after flowering
The nutrients from the leaves left behind after flowering will slowly transfer to the bulb of the plant. Thus, the daffodil partially provides itself with vitality for the next season. Nevertheless, fertilizing daffodils in the spring is essential for future flowering.
After pruning the flowers, you need to fertilize the flower garden.
The priority is potassium monophosphate, which contributes to the successful wintering of the bulbs and prepares them for the next year's growth. In the early stages of development, daffodils need nitrogen, which promotes the growth of green mass. The main thing is to use it in moderation. The plant also needs phosphorus.
Organic fertilizers, which provide everything this crop needs after the flowering period, guarantee a positive effect. Some gardeners use wood ash immediately after flowering, which is a valuable source of potassium and phosphorus.
When to dig up daffodils
To dig or not to dig is a question that torments many gardeners. Most varieties, especially the simplest ones, can be dug up every few years. However, terry varieties or modern hybrids should preferably be dug up every year. It is better to dig up the most valuable bulbs.
The best time to dig up daffodils is when the leaves left behind have dried up but have not yet completely fallen off. This usually happens in the middle of summer.
Why focus on the leaves? The presence of leaves reduces the risk of damage to the bulbs because if they are cut with a shovel, they will not grow. There is one more important nuance - not completely fallen leaves indicate that rooting has not yet occurred, and this is important because it is not recommended to dig up bulbs that have already re-rooted.
After digging, the bulbs should be left in a cool and dark place, such as a basement or cellar.
After that, the bulbs should be dried by storing them in a dry place at room temperature. As soon as they are completely dry, place the planting material in a permanent storage place.
