Daffodils are a symbol of youth, beauty and affection. Cultivation is simple due to its unpretentiousness and quick adaptation during propagation and transplantation. However, there are periods when this decorative flower needs special attention and care. Providing the necessary conditions, you can be sure of timely and plentiful flowering in the next season.

When daffodils bloom

In open ground, daffodils begin to bloom in mid-spring - in April - May, 2 weeks earlier than tulips. The timing of flowering depends on the variety and climatic conditions. In a warm climate, daffodils bloom a few weeks earlier than in a cool one. For example, in the south, flowering begins in early April. In the north - not earlier than summer.

Flowering lasts only 2 weeks. They begin to bloom at the end of May simultaneously with tulips. After this, the plant must be carefully taken care of, since this time is the most important in its life and the care will be how it will grow and bloom in the future.

What to do with the plant after flowering

As soon as the petals have fallen, the flower stalks must be cut off immediately with a garden pruner at the very surface of the earth. This must be done so that the seeds that are stored in the box do not stretch the plant sap during the dormant period.

Important! If you plan to use the seeds for further propagation, you can collect them after pruning the peduncle and save.

It is not advisable to remove the leaves, as they continue the process of photosynthesis, ensuring the life of the plant. It is better to wait for natural yellowing and drying and only after that they can be trimmed or tied in pigtails to give a more aesthetic appearance to the plant and the flowerbed as a whole.

Leaf withering takes about 7 weeks. While the leaves remain fresh, the flowers need to be watered as before. And as soon as they begin to dry out and turn yellow - watering gradually stop. It is worth mentioning about top dressing. Fertilize is necessary for the full aging of the bulbs and the formation of full-fledged children on it.

Important! Overfeeding daffodils with fertilizers is fraught with a decrease in resistance to frost. It is necessary to clearly calculate the proportions and doses.

Suitable options for fertilizing daffodils after flowering:

• fertilizers, which include potassium and phosphorus. For example, wood ash in the calculation of 0.5 l per 1 m². It needs to be distributed over the area, loosen the earth, then water for easier absorption into the soil;
• organic food. Humus or rotted manure (1 bucket per 1 m²) is perfect. Fresh manure should not be used categorically, since it contains harmful bacteria and infections that can provoke plant diseases;
• finished mineral fertilizing "Monopotassium phosphate" (Р2О5 - 52%, К2О - 34%). Dilute in water and apply 50 g per 1 m² on the soil around the flowers. Watering is not necessary.

Digging Bulbs

Bulbs can only be dug out after the leaves are completely dry and fall to the ground. At the same time, you can not hesitate and allow the complete disappearance of foliage, otherwise the place where the bulbs grow will be difficult to find, and when dug up they can be damaged. It is also important to dig the bulbs on time, because they can again take root and the procedure will become extremely traumatic for them.

Did you know? The name of daffodils is the same root with the word "anesthesia", which is explained by its specific aroma, which has a stupefying effect.

Extraction from the earth is necessary for transplanting to a new place, if the flower is more than three years old, or if it is planned to divide the bulbs and propagate daffodils. Otherwise, they are left to root again. For the winter, it is necessary to protect the area where the bulbs grow, with a film and cover with mulch. Peat, wood files and dry foliage are useful for this.

To dig bulbs suitable for propagation and transplantation, you need to follow a few simple rules:

1. It is only necessary to remove from the soil at the end of June or beginning of July, since the rooting process begins in August.
2. The wilted leaves left on the ground will help determine the place of planting.
3. It is necessary to act extremely carefully so as not to damage the bulbs and roots.
4. It is necessary to dig out together with a lump of earth.

Bulb Separation

After digging the bulbs, you can proceed to their division. The need for this arises when flowering is smaller, flower stalks become smaller, and foliage grows randomly and spoils the appearance of the plant.

Separation scheme:

1. Free the dug bulbs from the ground by slightly brushing them off.
2. Sort, removing weak and diseased bulbs.
3. Cut the leaves, leave the roots.
4. Put in containers in one layer and store in a room with good ventilation until completely dry. This usually takes no more than three days.
5. Separate the kids from the adult bulb. Disinfect the separation site with ash.

Bulb Storage

Storage allows you to transfer the transplant to a more suitable time, if it is not possible to plant in August or September. The fact is that it is impossible to plant the bulbs of the daffodil in late autumn, because the roots do not have time to strengthen before the onset of cold weather. You can transfer the planting of propagated flowers in the spring. Before you send the bulbs for storage, they must be treated in a concentrated solution of manganese and disinfected with insecticides, such as Karbofos and Fufanon.

Store in a shaded place at 0%. For this purpose, the basement and cellar are well suited. You can also store in the refrigerator (not a freezer!), But in this case the shelf life should not exceed two months. Young bulbs that have wintered at home are suitable for planting in the spring, immediately after the snow melts.

The frequency of the procedure

Cut flower stalks and tie up the leaves every season, immediately after flowering. At the same time, top dressing is applied. Then the plant is provided with peace and conditions for wintering: covered with a film, or insulated with mulch (sawdust and dry leaves).

Daffodils are divided three years after planting. This is because during this time the flower forms the root system and develops. If you dig the bulbs earlier than this time, the plant will stop flowering and will stop in development. In this case, there will be no flowering.

Did you know? On Earth, there are only about 55 original varieties of daffodils and more than 10 thousand hybrids obtained by selection.

What happens if you ignore the procedure

Daffodils need to be dug up and replanted every 4–5 years, otherwise, they will grow densely, preventing each other from growing and developing. As a result, flowering will become more scarce, and the leaves will grow far and tangled among themselves. Flowers quickly run wild and form an overgrown grassy mass.

In addition, the bulbs can be infected with various diseases that can be detected only after extraction from the ground. If this is not done on time, the disease can spread to healthy plants. Regular and timely intervention to preserve the health and beauty of flowers. Delicate and fragile daffodils symbolize spring, filling flower gardens with many colors and unique aroma.

They are planted in the country, decorated with flower beds, grown for pruning and decoration of bouquets.

In order for daffodils to please bloom for many years, they need to create suitable conditions and care in a timely manner. Especially in the care these delicate flowers need in the period following the flowering. Only thanks to regular monitoring and care, the daffodils will survive the winter safely and will delight with abundant flowering and a neat appearance inherent in decorative flowers.