21-04-2008, 03:43 PM
posted to rec.gardens,uk.rec.gardening
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Oct 2007
Posts: 793
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daffodill bulbs
John McGaw wrote:
Pete C wrote:
David E. Ross wrote:
On 4/20/2008 4:45 PM, Charlie wrote:
On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:09:09 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:
I'm no gardener but have had the unfortunate task of tending my
father's grave. I planted some daff bulbs last autumn and had a
beautiful display but the flowers are now dying off. I shall soon
be re-planting with summer plants. Should I save the daff bulbs
for next year, or shoud they be discarded and buy new ones again
in the autumn?
Just leave 'em be. They will be back, year after year.
I'm sorry for your loss, whenever it was.
Care
Charlie
Daffodills are quite hardy. They will survive most winters, even
with snow and freezing weather. Just plant summer annuals over them
without digging them up.
The one problem you might have is if the cemetary maintenance crew
mows over your father's grave. Cutting the daffodill foliage before
it turns yellow and dies will weaken the bulbs. If this happens,
you might as well dig up the bulbs and trash them.
I thought you could dig them up, with tops, store in a paper bag in
the dark until tops die off, and replant next year? Or am I getting
confused? 
Probably you are confused. It is necessary for the plants to remain
in a normal growing state with roots and foliage intact so that they
can support bulb growth which is what makes the new plants and
flowers the next Spring. As soon as the plant has finished this
process the foliage dies back and all that remains is the bulb (or
bulbs) under the ground. Typically one can plant annuals around the
remaining daffodil foliage to make it less obvious but even if the
bulb is to be dug and re-planted in the Autumn it is necessary for
the plant to go through its "recharging" routine to produce healthy
bulbs. I normally clip the spent flower stem right after the flower
fades to make the plants look less ragged but I would never remove
any undiseased leaves.
Thank you John
--
Pete C
London UK
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