Caring for daffodils after flowering

Caring for daffodils after flowering

Even despite the fact that daffodils bear this name, these flowers are completely unpretentious in care, and they are very often grown not only by experienced gardeners, but also by those who are just starting their way in gardening and floriculture. However, after the daffodils have stopped blooming, they need to be looked after and looked after so that they will bloom well again the next season and maintain their decorative appearance. If you do not take care of the plants after they have faded, then they will lose their varietal properties and characteristics, and as a result they will completely die.

Nevertheless, even after flowering, caring for daffodils remains as simple and extremely easy for the grower himself. In this article, we will dwell in more detail on the features and specific features of plant care, so that the gardener clearly understands what he has to deal with, and how not to make the most common mistakes, thereby preserving the vital activity of entire plantings.

Of course, the question is always formulated the same: what to do with daffodils after their flowering has stopped? Many people know that this is not an annual, so the plantings will bloom in the following seasons. Today we have a large number of daffodils, their species diversity, which is distinguished by the height of the inflorescences, the deciduous shape, the colors of the flowers themselves. The same applies when daffodils bloom - there are early varieties, and there are those that begin to bloom much later than we are usually used to. Despite the fact that in general this plant most often enters the flowering stage in spring, this process is very dependent on climatic conditions, the territory in which it grows, so all these subtleties and aspects must be taken into account so as not to make the most common mistakes.

However, flowering is short, regardless of the variety and flowering time - usually daffodils bloom for no more than two weeks, or even less. Of course, a lot depends on the variety, so in this regard, the gardener should carefully read the instructions and features of the varieties that he chooses for planting in his personal plot. One way or another, daffodils are very sophisticated flowers, they look very gentle and aristocratic. After their flowering stops, only the deciduous part remains on the bush, which fades very quickly in the fall. Further, the plant should be given some care so that the flowering is not traumatic, and so that the plant starts growing and flowering again next year.

Daffodils: what to do after flowering?

Caring for daffodils after flowering: video

The next question that arises before the gardener is what to do next, just after the daffodils have faded, and only their green part remains, which also fades and loses its external qualities. In order for daffodils to grow and bloom next year, you should take some time to care for them. These are the most elementary and not particularly energy-consuming procedures, which at the same time can save the plant to live and even strengthen it even more in the open field.

After the flowering period has ended, for one and a half to two months it is best not to perform any manipulations with the deciduous part of the plant at all. The fact is that even if there are no flowers on the plant, its growing season still continues, and any mechanical influences can harm the plant.It receives all the most essential nutrients from the soil, continues to grow and develop. It is thanks to the foliage that daffodils receive the nutrients and sunlight that they need so much. If foliage is removed ahead of time, it can damage the plant, and it will refuse to bloom in the following seasons. In addition, fungi and bacteria can penetrate through the damage, and daffodils will begin to get sick. If we are talking about these plants that do not grow in open ground, but in flower beds, then trimming of leaves is necessary here, since often daffodils begin to grow very actively, losing their decorative appearance and damaging neighboring flower crops.

Again, the issue of pruning directly depends on how the grower himself evaluates the external and decorative qualities of the plant, and its internal state. So it is better to get acquainted with the additional literature before carrying out any mechanical manipulation with respect to these delicate flower crops. In the autumn period, it is necessary to apply some fertilizers, mainly organic matter (compost and humus), as well as macronutrients such as phosphorus and potassium.

If daffodils grow on the site, then you should also take care of their bulbs when flowering has already stopped. It is best not to dig them out of the ground, but leave them right in it for the winter. At the same time, it is recommended to mulch the soil around the bulbs using a mixture of sawdust and peat, as well as a little organic matter - humus is ideal for these purposes. These procedures are very important for young daffodils, as their bulbs are especially vulnerable and can be damaged by severe frosts and sudden changes in temperature. If daffodils grow in warm areas where such differences are not observed, then mulching the soil is not at all necessary.

Of course, digging the bulbs in the fall is another dilemma that worries growers. This can be done, but only in the most extreme cases - for example, if a very harsh winter is promised, then it is better to dig up young bulbs. In general, if a grower deliberately digs up the bulbs, then they must be at least three years old. These bulbs have already managed to adapt to the environment, and such actions will not harm their general condition in any way. When replanting, they will take root perfectly, without giving cause for concern to the grower himself. It is best to dig up the bulbs during the period from August to September, because it is at this time that the growing season of daffodils comes to an end.

Of course, questions arise about transplanting daffodils from one place to other territories. It is best to refrain from replanting annually, as this can ultimately kill the daffodils, and they will disable the ability to bloom at the appointed time. If there is no particularly urgent need for a transplant, then it is best not to do this. But if the plant gives small inflorescences, flowering does not appear at all for two or more seasons, or the daffodils are more likely to get sick and be attacked by pests - all this indicates precisely that the plants need further transplantation to a new place. ... There, the soil may be more fertile, or the neighborhood of the daffodils will be much more suitable, and they will return to their normal state again.

When a grower digs up the bulbs, there are a few rules to follow to keep them viable and resilient, and simply not to damage them. the shovel for digging must be well sharpened, it is necessary to dig very deeply so as not to damage the bulbs of the daffodils. After the florist has removed the bulbs to the surface, he should send them to a dark, dry room, where they will dry out a little and recover from stress. If we are talking about a transplant, then it is usually prescribed for the autumn period, about 15-20 days before frosts are predicted.During this time, the bulbs will have time to adapt to weather conditions, so the transplant will be transferred more calmly and without losses. After transplanting, the beds are mulched with the same composition that we already mentioned earlier.

Daffodils are very popular among gardeners and summer residents, so they, in turn, already have experience and know several mechanisms to care for plants, prolong their life, and in the case of transplanting or digging up less damage to the plants.

So, after the foliage has been cut off, you can not immediately throw it away, but leave it next to the plant. This will help you quickly find the location of the bulb if the grower suddenly has to dig it up. It is best not to throw out wounded children right away. They are collected, sprinkled with wood ash and left in a dry place. As a rule, most of them actually retain their vitality, and in the future produce excellent daffodils. Gloves are best used when handling bulbs, as experienced growers are aware of their toxic properties. When the work is completed, wash your hands and face with soap and water.

When daffodils have been growing and blooming in the same place for over six years, their root system becomes even more massive and overgrown. When a grower works with such fundamental plants, he should use a large shovel, which will shorten the time of working with the plant, and also will not greatly damage the root system of the culture, which also has a huge plus and positive effect. Before the bulbs are harvested for later storage, they must be decontaminated. As a universal remedy for this, a solution of potassium permanganate is used. Do not store daffodil bulbs in plastic bags or in bags that do not receive fresh air. Because of this, they will begin to rot and eventually die, moreover, they may undergo the development of harmful microorganisms. When the bulbs are stored, they must be carefully inspected at least once every few days and made sure that no putrefactive lesions form on them.

Thus, while daffodils are easy to care for, after flowering, daffodil care is still required. When a gardener takes good care of the plants, the chances of getting a decent harvest increase several times. In addition, this increases the living standard of the plant, the duration of its flowering, it becomes more resistant to attacks from pests and bacteria. You cannot save time and effort in caring for plants, because their vital activity, internal state, and decorative qualities depend on this. Also, in many respects, the specificity of caring for daffodils after flowering is determined by the varietal affiliation of flowers.