East Tennessee Daffodil Society What is the difference between a daffodil, narcissus, and jonquil? Narcissus is the Latin, botanical name; and daffodil is the common English name and the two terms are interchangeable. Only one species of daffodil is correctly called jonquilla; crosses of this species with other daffodils are called jonquil hybrids. Bulbs should be purchased from a reputable dealer. A good bulb has a flower in it when it is sold for autumn planting. Giveaway bulbs, unless from a trusted source, are of dubious value. Bargain bulbs from other than reputable dealers are not bargains. Never buy or plant a soft daffodil bulb, because a soft bulb usually means basal rot or other disease.
Daffodils should be planted in September, if possible, or any time until the ground freezes. Most root growth is done in the fall and early winter. Bulbs of normal size should be planted about six inches deep. Smaller bulbs should be placed at lesser depths. A shallow planting will require more frequent lifting and division as the bulbs tend to split up more quickly. Leaves should never be cut from choice varieties since they are essential
in rebuilding the bulb after Daffodil bulbs divide, and one bulb will in time become a clump of bulbs. They should be dug and divided when the flowers become smaller and fewer (about every 4-5 years). Dig as the foliage turns yellow, store until Fall in a cool, airy place. Do not forcefully break the side shoots off of the bulbs. A mulch gives bulbs a longer, better growing season. It also keeps the flowers clean and helps to make the ground cooler in summer. Shredded bark, straw, ground corn cobs or saw dust are all good. Newly purchased bulbs already have the flower bud developed when you
receive them and should produce a bloom the following spring "O Lord, grant that in some way it may rain every day, say from about midnight until three o'clock in the morning . . . gentle and warm so that it can soak in . . . that there may be plenty of dew and little wind, enough worms, no plant-lice and snails, no mildew, and that once a week thin liquid manure and guano may fall from heaven." (Karel Capek (1890-1938), The Gardener's Year (1931), The Gardener's Prayer) |