Non-Blooming Daffodils? Possible Causes...and Solutions
Quick answer: chances are - with a few exceptions - non-blooming daffodils are probably your fault. But that’s the beauty of gardening, isn’t it? It’s a lifetime classroom, and we are all forgiven for our horticultural transgressions. (All of a sudden, I’m transported back in time to St. Charles Borromeo Elementary School and Church, wishing the confession line could move a bit faster so we could whip out a perfect Act of Contrition, an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and then head out to recess.)
But before we enter the Daffodil Confessional of Sins, a quick review of what happened on this week’s two episodes of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast:
Episode 314: Q&A - Garden Time Savers
Terry in Oregon sends us a text: "I was wondering if you have some tips for people who want to have a garden, but work 40+ hours a week and have no help in the garden?"
I’m fairly certain that’s why Grandpa and Grandma Wicka had nine children back on the family farm in Beach, North Dakota (or it could’ve been Wibaux, Montana. Nobody knew for certain the location of the state line). But Terry, be forewarned: nine children can lead to premature aging. Here’s a picture of my grandparents on their 30th wedding anniversary:
America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, and myself came up with a good list to save time in the garden, a list that can be summarized in five words: automate, elevate, de-elevate, eliminate, and delegate. (That last one usually involves a monetary exchange, even if it is your own kids.) Still, it was a pleasant, informative chat on a rainy day. Listen to it wherever you get your podcasts, or at our home page (where you can find a transcript), gardenbasics.net.
Ep. 315: Choosing Backyard Chickens. What is HPAI disease?
What? Another chicken episode? This one is a public service, for all those people, especially urban and suburban gardeners who are emboldened by recently enacted backyard chicken laws that allow you to take possession of a laying hen or two. It’s almost spring. You might wander into a Tractor Supply Store or a feed store during the next two months, and become entranced by the sweet little “Chirp-chirp-chirp” of the newly hatched chicks that are for sale. And you fall in love. But how do you know you’re falling in love with a future hen, and not a rooster? You don’t want a rooster if you live within talking distance of your neighbors if your windows are open. And ALL YOUR NEIGHBORS WITHIN A QUARTER MILE DON’T WANT TO HEAR YOUR ROOSTERS AT 5 A.M. OR EARLIER. Besides, those new laws just might prohibit owning a rooster. DO NOT BUY CHICKS UNTIL YOU LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE. Urban Chicken Consultant (yes, that’s a real title) Cherie Sintes-Glover has some very good advice for prospective and current chicken parents. She has tips for choosing a female chicken. And yet, you still might get stuck with a rooster. Don’t worry, there’s probably a chicken auction near you.
Also, if you would please, forward the link of this episode to anyone you might know who owns backyard chickens, to give them a heads-up and the necessary precautions to take to ward off a deadly disease of fowl that can be found in several states: It’s HPAI - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Cherie outlines the biosecurity steps that you need to take to protect your flock, as best you can.
DAFFODIL TROUBLESHOOTER
From the garden e-mail bag, Rosemary asks: “I planted daffodils in the back of my yard a few years ago. They multiplied and looked good for a couple of years. This year I did not have one bloom! Is there anything that can be done to bring them back?”
Many times, daffodils won't flower if they were cut down prematurely the previous spring. Always wait until the leaves turn completely yellow before removing the leaves. This is about six weeks after flowering. If it doesn't rain, make sure those daffodils still get irrigation until the leaves are yellow. The good news: you can leave those daffodils in the ground, year-round, in most areas that can stay above 30 below zero.
Another cause of non-performing daffodils: they are just too darn crowded and are not getting enough food and water. If that is the case, dig and separate the bulbs when the leaves turn brown. Replant them immediately, six inches apart and about six inches deep.
The American Daffodil Society also offers these other tips on why daffodils cease to bloom:
• Bulbs have not been fed in a couple of years. Broadcast a 5-10-10 fertilizer when leaves emerge, and again at bloom is a reasonable feeding schedule.
• Feeding has been with a high-nitrogen fertilizer. This encourages production of leaves but seems to quell the plant's need for flowers.
• Bulbs are planted in a shady area. Daffodils need a half-day of sun at least to produce flowers.
• Bulbs are in competition for food with other plants. Planting under evergreen trees or with other fast-growing plants limits the food they can get. Result: weak plants and no flowers.
• Daffodils love water but must have good drainage. They do not do well where the water puddles, increasing their susceptibility to basal rot fungus, which is incurable.
• Bulbs may be stressed from transplanting. Some varieties seem to skip a year of blooming if dug and replanted into a different environment.
• Some varieties purchased from a grower in one climate may have a difficult period of adjustment to a vastly different climate.
• The bulbs may have a virus. Over time, an infected plant loses its vigor, puts up smaller, weakened leaves and stems, stops blooming, and finally dies. Dig and throw away the bulbs.
• An early heat wave last year may have shut down the bulb’s rebuilding process before it was complete.
• The bulbs may have been grown in a small pot without adequate feeding or protection from heat and cold.
• Never buy or plant a "soft" bulb. Retail bulbs typically remain in closed crates for a lengthy period during shipping. These humid conditions are near perfect for the proliferation of fungus diseases such as fusarium.
• One more strategy: wait. It seems as if many formerly mid-winter blooming daffodils are taking their sweet time in producing flowers this year. Perhaps it’s the rain and windstorms we’ve had lately that have knocked them sideways. Don’t be in a hurry to yank them out of the ground. Daffodils are tough plants and can bounce back.
Thank you for also listening to the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast! It’s available wherever you get your podcasts. Please share it with your garden friends.
Fred Hoffman is also a University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener in Sacramento County. And he likes to ride his bike(s).