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Narcissus
The name Narcissus covers the many lovely bulb flowers known as Daffodils and Narcissus. All of them are easy to grow in the garden for spring bloom, or to force to flower indoors in the winter.
Daffodils
The Narcissus family is said to take its name from the Greek youth, Narkissos. He was so in love with his own reflection in a lake that the Goddess, Aphrodite, turned him into a white Daffodil, forever bowing its head to gaze into the mirrored water.
Monks introduced it
this flower at funerals, a practice later adopted by Christian monks. Narcissi were grown in England as long ago as 1620, but nobody knows who first took these flowers from the Old World to the Americas.
All Narcissus are bulb plants. The flowers may be single or clustered, but each has 6 outer petals and a center cup, or trumpet. Some are extremely fragrant. The green leaves are either flat and strap-like, or narrow like the leaves of rushes or sedges. Daffodils are also excellent cut flowers and are fairly long lasting in a vase. Do not be tempted to put Daffodils and Tulips in the same vase since the sap which leaks from the Daffodils will block the veins of the Tulips and they will die quite quickly.
Forcing Daffodils--step by step
September-October
Buy bulbs as soon as they become available in
nurseries. Choose only firm, plump bulbs. Daffodil bulbs
need 6 to 8 weeks of temperatures of 40°-45°F before they will flower. November-January Take bulbs indoors and keep them in a dark place at about 60°F. When they have 4 to 6 inches of growth, move them to a brighter spot at a slightly higher temperature. The bulbs should begin to flower in about 4 or 5 weeks.
March-April After bloom, keep Daffodils well watered until the foliage yellows and dies down completely. When this happens, plant the bulbs outdoors in the garden (set them 4 to 6 inches deep) in a sunny or partly shady location.
Forcing Christmas Daffodils (N. tazetta) These are the small-cupped white and yellow Daffodils that bear clusters of flowers. The familiar Paperwhite Narcissus belong to this group. Other varieties are 'Golden Dawn', 'Matador' and 'Soleil d' Or.'
These are some of the easiest bulbs to bring into bloom. Plant the small bulbs close together in a bowl of pebbles abut 8-10 weeks before Christmas. Keep the stones moist and the bulbs cool, (about 40°F), while getting plenty of light. As soon as the first sprouts show, move the bulbs to a warmer (about 55°F) place.
Plant Doctor
Daffodils grown outside are more or less resistant to insects and disease. The most common ailment is gray mold. Check for signs of this on the bulbs before forcing them; look for gray deposits on the bulb scales. Dip the bulbs in a weak fungicide solution before planting.
NOTE: Pesticides not used according to label directions can be harmful to man, animals and plants. Use only pesticides that have labels with directions for home and garden use. Always read and follow label directions.
Buying Tips
Buy bulbs early in the season. The best bulbs are called Number One Double-Nose Round; Number One Single-Nose bulbs are second choice. Store bulbs in a paper (not plastic) bag until planting time.
Lifespan: Best results are achieved by using new bulbs each year. The "spent" bulbs can be planted out in the garden.
Season: The main season for forcing Daffodils and Narcissi is December through March.
Difficulty quotient: Bulbs are easy to force.
In Brief
Size and growth rate The height can vary from 4 to 24 inches tall, depending on the variety.
Flowering and fragrance Daffodils and Narcissi come in all shades of white and yellow, some variegated, some not. Many are very fragrant.
Light and temperature When bulbs begin to form flower buds, move them into a cool, bright spot. The flowers will not last very long at temperatures over 60°F.
Watering and feeding Water regularly during forcing to keep the soil evenly moist. Do not feed forced bulbs.
Soil and transplanting A high-quality commercial potting soil is adequate. No repotting necessary.
Grooming None.
Propagating Forced bulbs are not propagated.
Environment Grow these pretty flowers indoors for a touch of spring in the middle of winter.
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The
ancients of Greece and Rome used
Set bulbs close together in pots or containers with just the top of each
bulb showing above the soil surface. Bury the pots in the garden
and cover with about 5"-6" of soil or sawdust. Or, dig a 16" hole
and place the pot at the bottom,
covering with a thick layer of leaves. This makes it easier to
take up the pot in areas where the ground freezes in the winter.
Check bulbs for fungus or virus.
