Blind daffodils

Whilst clearing the garden last winter/spring we found lots and lots of daffodils. Unfortunately when it was flowering time most of them came up blind. Does anyone know if their is a reason for this? The previous owners said that they liked to plant their bulbs deep to stop the badgers from eating them. They weren't kidding, I've found bulbs planted 8 or 9 inches deep! I've lifted some and replanted them a little higher will this help at all or is it a case of starting again?

 

here's the BBC gardening answer to your questions, Celia http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_daffodil.shtml

The obvious answer they give for them growing blind doesn't exactly apply, though!! 6 inches is the depth recommended.

I haven't come across badgers eating daffodil bulbs - in my experience it's tulips they go for - so watch out if you've planted any of those!! :rolleyes:

 

3" to a foot deep doesn't seem to make a lot of difference. In light soil maybe plant a bit deeper than you would for heavy clay. If they are naturalised it could be that there are loads of bulblets cramped for growing space. They may need to be lifted and divided up to give a bit of elbow room. Daffs also require moist but well drained conditions for best results.

The other factor that's crucial is leaving the leaves on untill they die back naturally. If you cut off the leaves after flowering the bulb will not be able to obtain the energy required to flower the following year.

 

Sufficient light, food and moisture are essentials. As Frogesque says - leaves must be left to die back naturally as they feed the bulbs for the following years growth and flowering. I would dig them all up, dig over the soil where you want them to be and fork in some well rotted organic manure or compost. Daffs are pretty tolerant of conditions but will drown in water logged soil. I reckon your's need a good feed.

 

Thank you for your help, I did let them die back this year so hopefully if I give them plenty of food we may get more flowers next spring.

 

Also watch out for Narcissus bulb fly and/or bulb rots - either would have been apparent when you dug them up.

One trick that may help if they are growing in poor soil or under grass is to feed them. they can absorb nutrients very early in the growing season, so a general or slightly nitrogen biased feed in February or early March could help, not this years flowering I'm afraid, but next. Good luck!