Blind Bulbs
If you had a beautiful crop of Daffodils last year, but they failed to flower this spring season, don’t despair. You may have what they call ‘blind bulbs’ – a nonlethal syndrome!
Here are five reasons your bulbs may not have flowered and the steps you can take to give them a well-deserved second chance.
The leaves were cut back too early: If you’re like me and can’t stand the sight of floppy, foliage and dead flowers, you might have cut back or tied back the foliage too soon. The leaves of the daffodil need to continue to draw in energy from the sun to feed the bulb for the coming year’s blossoms. The leaves need to remain exposed to the sun for 6 full weeks after the flowers have died. If the unsightly look bothers you, plant things that emerge right after the daffs stop blooming and they will camouflage the messiness!
The bulbs themselves received insufficient water: Whether your daffs are in the ground or in pots, there may not have been enough rain or irrigation. Daffodils that are planted amongst other plants can come up short on water as the other plants grow and take a larger share for themselves.
Not enough nutrients: Adding a handful of mature compost around your plants each year will feed them well and they’ll reward you with blooms next spring.
Crowded Bulbs: One of the great things about Daffodils is they naturalize, but as they multiply, the bulbs can become crowded and must fight for water and nutrients. Dig those beauties up, separate them out, and plant them in new locales!
Bulbs are planted too close to the surface: Daffs that are planted too shallow suffer from lack of moisture (the soil surface dries out more quickly than deeper soil), and they are more vulnerable to frost damage. Daffodil bulbs should be planted three times the length of the bulb. For example, if a healthy bulb is 2 inches long, it should be planted 6 inches deep in the ground.
Book your 30-minute free consultation now by calling Kathleen at Gardens by La Voy.
707.753.1445