Why Mixed Daffodil Bulbs Drive Me Crazy

This time of year you will see many bulb sellers offering mixed daffodil bulbs for a great low price. These mixes usually consist of many different types and colors.

The problem with these mixed bulb bags is you usually have no idea what you're going to get. The bulbs may be leftovers that are too few too offer individually. More likely they will be what is called a "breeder's mix" meaning that they are seed grown hybrids that didn't end up having the desired qualities.

What you get is what you get with these bulb mixes. Miniatures and standard size varieties will likely be included. Sometimes you can order them by color i.e. all yellow,all white or all pink.

If you're more interested in growing daffodils for cut flower production these mixes might be just the thing for you. Most of the large bags contain many varieties that will bloom over a long period. They should provide at least several weeks of cut flowers for your vases(or to sell if you'd like to).



The reason bags of mixed daffodil bulbs make me crazy is the same reason some people love them. You don't know what you're getting.What if you end up falling in love with one of the flowers and would like to plant a large group of that variety? Good luck. It's probably unnamed and unavailable in enough quantity to be sold separately.

Another drawback is that you have no guarantee that the included bulbs will be suitable for your region. I once bought a "grab bag" mix that ended up being mostly poeticus and split corona types. They were very beautiful and gave me a steady supply of cut flowers from mid March through April. But I live in the Southern U.S. where these types of narcissus just won't bloom consistently. Most of those daffodils never returned and only a few of the split coronas have ever bloomed again.

If not knowing the types of daffodils you'll get when you buy one of these mixed bulb bags doesn't bother you,then go for it. Try to at least choose a mix that is labeled for your region. This will be the key to success. Also, because of the varying plant heights, I would never use them in a formal flower bed. As I said before the primary use for these mixes will be for cut flowers so find an out of the way sunny area to plant them in.

Planting mixed daffodil bulbs can be an economical way to enjoy them. But don't be surprised if as you gain experience and become more knowledgeable about daffodils you find yourself prefering to know exactly what you're getting when you plant your daffodils.
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Growing Daffodils In Cold Northern Climates

I thought since I've written several pieces this autumn about growing daffodils in the south it was only fair to cover growing daffodils in cold climates. The good news for gardeners in the north is that most daffodils love growing in a cold climate. The freezing winters with frequent snow cover followed by cool springs are ideal for their growth and blooming. Success with daffodils for Northern gardeners is more a matter of culture than choosing particular types of daffodils. This post will help you with growing daffodils in your cold climate garden.

The most important first step for growing healthy daffodils is to start with quality bulbs. For gardeners in the north that means starting with Northern grown bulbs. Many of the same varieties that grow well in my Alabama garden will grow well in yours too but you really shouldn't start with bulbs grown in the south. The bulbs might do okay if you chill them but it's better to just buy bulbs that are acclimitized to the north.

In the south variety choice is everything when growing daffodils. In cold climates your planting practices will determine your success. The most important factor is planting your bulbs early enough to get established before the ground freezes. Some northern gardeners like to plant their flowering bulbs just before the first snow. It usually warms again after this early snow and this will help settle the bulbs into their new home.

After timing your planting correctly the next thing you must when planting daffodils in a cold garden is to make sure you plant them deeply enough. Large bulbs should be planted at least 6 inches deep. This is very important if your area experiences frequent freezing and thawing cycles. Weather like this can heave flower bulbs right out of the ground.

Mulch,mulch,mulch. This is very important. You can use shredded or partially composted leaves or straw. This will insulate your soil and make that nasty heaving less likely.

Now for the fun part. Your cool springs mean you can grow almost any daffodil variety in your cold climate garden. Narcissus types such as poet's daffodils, split corona daffodils, and late flowering double types will thrive and last much longer in your garden than they would in warmer regions. You should also try a few pink-cupped varieties. They will produce much more vivid colors for you than they do in the south where they often fade in the heat.

Wow! This has turned into a much longer post than I intended and I have even more to share with you about growing daffodils in cold climate gardens. For even more information including more suggestions about particular varieties of daffodils that are great for northern gardens (and where you can still buy some if you haven't already) head on over to my new Squidoo lens Daffodils For Cold Climates.

How to Select A Healthy Daffodil Bulb

The local garden centers are overflowing with flower bulbs this time of year. Gardeners who don't have experience selecting daffodil bulbs may need a little help knowing which ones to choose. These quick tips should help.

Many stores stock bulbs in large bins. This is convenient because you can actually see and handle the bulbs and give them the once over. A healthy daffodil bulb should be nice and fat. It should have a good weight when you hold it in your hand. It should not feel mushy or or dried out. It should have its papery covering intact. If the bulbs are packaged in a mesh bag like onions sometimes are be sure to check the bulbs in the middle to make sure they are firm and free of signs of rot. For bulbs packaged in paper bags you'll have to just try to give them a gentle squeeze to check for freshness. If the bulbs feel soft or spongy or they've dried out you want to avoid those bulbs. Also be aware of any foul smells. This can also indicate rot. Once you have compared a healthy bulb with an unhealthy one you'll know the difference and you won't need to guess.

Daffodil sizes can be somewhat confusing. Daffodils are measured by circumference and in general,bigger is better. There are exceptions to this, though. Species type narcissus and some miniatures can be very small. This is normal and the same standards of health apply. The bulbs should be firm with no signs of mushiness and not dried out.

Many gardeners have seen daffodil bulbs advertised by the number of "noses" and not by the size. This is somewhat misleading. The nose of a bulb simply refers to the number of growing points on the bulb. Some types of daffodils will grow many flower stalks from just one nose and others produce one nose for each potential growing point. So the number of noses is not in any way an indication of quality.

If you're like me and you prefer to order your bulbs from mail order catalogs or Internet nurseries the same standards apply. Most major mail order retailers are very reputable and will send you high quality bulbs. When choosing a mail order or online supplier, look for a company that is established and offers a money back guarantee.

Finally,keep in mind that you can sometimes get a great deal when you buy what are called "landscape sized bulbs". These are smaller younger bulbs that are sold in large quantities at a reduced price. These bulbs should meet the same standards as a larger older bulbs. They will usually only have one growing point and each bulb will probably only produce one flower stalk. If you decide to plant landscape bulbs make sure you give them enough room to multiply and spread. These bulbs can be a great choice for planting a large area with a single variety.
*Photo by The County Clerk on Flickr

A Daffodil Growing Guide For Beginners

I've just created a new lens on Squidoo called Daffodil Growing: A Beginner's Guide. This lens covers how to plant your daffodil bulbs to give them the best start possible. Go there and you'll learn step by step how to grow grow daffodils even if you've never grown them before.

Some of the tips you'll find include

*When to plant your daffodils

*How to prepare the soil

*Proper planting depth

*How much sun to give your bulbs

*When and how to fertilize your bulbs

*How to divide your bulbs when they become crowded

If you're a daffodil growing newbie Growing Daffodils: A Beginner's Guide will give you all the info you need to grow narcissus bulbs like a pro. For a quick step by step guide to planting daffodil bulbs go to How To Successfully Plant Daffodil Bulbs.

A Daffodil Flower Up Close And Personal

I found a great article on a site called microcopy-uk.org.uk. There are many wonderful pictures of every part of a narcissus bloom photographed up-close at every angle and under a micrcoscope. This is a fascinating science lesson for the flower lover. This page is a must see. This entire site is full of microscopic photos of all kinds. Visit A Close-Up View of the Daffodil now and prepare to be mesmerized.

Growing Daffodils In Hot Southern Climates

Many gardeners believe daffodils aren't worth bothering with in their hot southern climate. This isn't true,however. Almost everyone in North America can grow daffodils. The key to success with daffodils is choosing the right varieties.I think the tips in How To Grow Daffodils In Hot Climates and Cool Daffodils For Hot Climates will convince you to give planting daffodils in your southern garden another try.

The best narcissus bulbs to grow in USDA planting zones 7-10 are jonquillas and tazettas.These types don't need cold winters to thrive and they love baking in the ground during a hot, dry southern summer. Both types have sweet smelling clusters of several flowers per stem. They are mostly late bloomers.

Large-cupped and trumpet daffodils will grow in most gardens in zones 7 and 8. If you live in coastal zone 9 or 10 you can try growing these by giving them a cold treatment in the refridgerator for a few weeks and planting them in late autumn. Plant them in a partially shaded spot to make the blooms last longer. Treat them as annuals and buy fresh bulbs every year.

Species(wild) and miniature daffodils are also good choices for planting in the South. These narcissus bulbs are generally early bloomers. Most produce plants that are only a few inches tall so they need to be at the front of your flower bed or in containers. They look great in rock gardens with other small bulbs.

Gardeners in frost free areas can grow paperwhites outdoors as annuals.They usually bloom 4-6 weeks after planting. Paperwhites are great for container plantings. They'll need afternoon shade if you want long lasting flowers.

Don't forget to check out How To Grow Daffodils In Hot Climates and Cool Daffodils For Hot Climates for more information on growing daffodils in your deep south garden. You'll find many more tips and learn about the types I grow in my own garden.