Daffodils are flowers that bloom in spring, but each year they have to overcome the low winter temperatures before they bloom. In warmer climates it is necessary to dig up the bulbs from the earth to preserve them before replanting them in the spring. But this only in the case of hot climates. In other cases they can remain in the ground. With proper care, you can have beautiful flowers in the next flowering season.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Remove the Bulbs
Step 1. Dig up the bulbs when the leaves are yellow and dead
Leave the daffodils in the ground until the leaves turn yellow completely, otherwise they may not bloom next season. The leaves usually die within 6 weeks of the flower's death. Use a trowel or shovel to pull the bulbs out of the ground.
- During the current season the bulbs store the energy they need for the next flowering season.
- It is important to leave the plant until it completes its entire life cycle because the leaves will continue to gather energy for next year's blooms.
Step 2. Separate the bulbs from the root clusters
If you have had daffodils for a few years already, there may be multiple bulbs attached to the same root group. Shake the earth from the roots to see each bulb individually. Pull them gently to separate them from each other.
Protect the bulbs from direct sunlight after separating them. This could damage them or lead to early flowering
Step 3. Discard any diseased bulbs
Narcissus bulbs need to be firm and heavy. If the bulb is turning yellow or starting to soften, it could be a sign of a fungal infection called 'bulb rot'. If these bulbs are planted, they may not bloom or they may develop prematurely.
Don't replant daffodils in the same spot where you found infected bulbs. If you plant them in the same place, there is a chance that they will become infected as well
Step 4. Cut the roots with pruning shears
Place the shears where the root meets the bulb and cut. Trimming the roots helps prevent premature growth during the bulb storage period.
Step 5. Let the bulbs dry for 24 hours
Place the bulbs on a tray after cutting them to dry. This step helps prevent fungal rot from developing during storage.
Keep the bulbs in a cool place so they don't absorb moisture
Part 2 of 2: Store the Daffodils
Step 1. Place the bulbs in a paper bag with the label
An opaque bag protects them from light and prevents the possibility of them germinating too soon. Keep the bag open so that air can circulate between the bulbs. If you keep different flower bulbs, write the name of each on the label on the outside of the bag.
You could also use a mesh bag to facilitate air circulation, but this solution would not block out the light
Step 2. Store the bulbs in a cool, dry place for 6-8 weeks
Bulbs should be stored in a basement, cellar or garage. The temperature should be between 16 and 18 ° C. Make sure that the temperature in the place where they are stored does not drop too low during the winter, otherwise the bulbs will not survive.
Step 3. Store the bulbs in the refrigerator if you live in a warm climate
If the bulbs are left outside, the daffodils will not survive the winter and may not bloom the next season. Store the bag of bulbs in the fruit and vegetable drawer so that they are not exposed to direct light.
Keep the bulbs in a separate drawer, away from any type of food
Step 4. Keep fruit away from bulbs
Fruits such as apples emit ethylene gas and can cause the flower inside the bulb to die. If you are storing narcissus bulbs in a refrigerator, store them in a separate compartment from the fruit.
Step 5. Replant your bulbs in late December or early January
Once the bulbs have been cool for 6-8 weeks, they have experienced enough cold to bloom in spring. Replant the bulbs at least 7.5cm deep in the soil.
