Blind daffodils

[Noirin]

Last summer we re-did our front garden, built new walls, put down new driveway etc. Everything was taken out of the garden but during the building work I rescued any daffodil bulbs I found. I planted these in pots but many of them have grown without any flower. Would it be worthwhile to feed them in the hope that they will flower next year or should I throw them in my compost and buy new bulbs? Many of them were probably in the garden for years hidden under shrubs etc.

[lynda66]

are you sure the flower bit hasn't just not come up yet?? it's still early for daffs

[Noirin]

There are three or four flowering in each pot but maybe the others are different varieties although the leaves are very tall, usually the flower bud appears along with the leaves. In my front garden I have daffodils that aren't in flower yet but the leaves are only up about 4 inches. The pots are in my south facing back garden which is warmer.

[Nicos]

I'd feed them this year in their pots- and then if they don't flower well next year just chuck them.
Worth a try!

[Pumpkin Becki]

Normally blind Daffs is a sign that they aren't planted deeply enough. They need to be at least twice the height of the bulb plus the bulb itself below the surface.

ie:
Ground level
height of bulb
height of bulb
bulb itself

They should be okay next year if you add more compost, or plant out in the ground again.

[Nicos]

Normally blind Daffs is a sign that they aren't planted deeply enough. They need to be at least twice the height of the bulb plus the bulb itself below the surface.

ie:
Ground level
height of bulb
height of bulb
bulb itself

They should be okay next year if you add more compost, or plant out in the ground again.

Well- I didn't know that!

[kirsty b]

Whoops, me either. I bought narcissus in pots last year, and just plonked them out there but they have come up again! My tulip leaves are up too.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Well- I didn't know that!

look at me with the knowledge!

[Nicos]

look at me with the knowledge!

[lynda66]

i pulled a load of bluebells up last year, just moved some stuff in the garden and found a load with no soil all getting leafy lol ... daffs must be different eh lol

[Victoria26]

I have 4 spring planters - lots of foliage and only the crocus have flowered so far. Will be keeping an eye on this link.

[Flummery]

Generally it's too shallow or too congested. Becki's right - you need about 6" of earth above a standard daff - a bit less with a miniature. If a clump has been growing and producing offshoots for years in the same spot they will flower less. You lift them and spread them out a bit. If your ones in pots came from a clump like that, leave them till any flowers you DO get have died down, then plant 6" deep and spread the bulbs out a couple of inches apart each way. Should make a huge difference. After flowering, always let the leaves die away on their own - don't cut or tie up - they are feeding the bulb for next season. This is also a good time to add any feed you want to - after flowering.

Good luck with them - here's to a splendid show next year!