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Posted: May/01/2008 9:01 AM PST
I dug up and replanted hundreds of daffodil bulbs in one flower bed reserved for them. I separated the bulbs and corms, and spaced them out so they can grow and multiply. They're planted 4" deep in heavy, but amended soil. They all leafed out. I was expecting a show this spring, but all I got was a handful of blooms. What's going on? The flower bed is raised and surrounds an mature elm tree. Kestas Livonia, Michigan |
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Posted: May/01/2008 10:26 AM PST
I think I would have done everything you did but also add bulb food. Are they getting enough sun in their new location? |
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Posted: May/01/2008 12:08 PM PST
It might also be because they were moved.? I never have any luck with bulbs |
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Posted: May/01/2008 12:39 PM PST
I'd look into their sunshine - the only daffs that consistently look good in my yards are the ones that get great sun. Did you wait to move them until after thier leaves died back? Otherwise they may not have put enough energy into the bulbs in which case they might do better next year. |
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Posted: May/02/2008 4:00 AM PST
All good points. Did they have leaves when you transplanted and did they get enough sun to store the energy? Are they in a sunny spot now? Did you use bulb food? (I used Holland Bulb Booster and was really surprised by the results of that stuff!) Sometimes bulbs take another year before they get settled in and make blooms. Get some of that bulb booster now it they are still leafed out and next year you may have the results that you desired. |
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Posted: May/02/2008 6:08 AM PST
The spot is rather shady, but in the spring when they're growing and blooming, there aren't any leaves on the tree, so they see a fair amount of sun during that time. I've also seen some yards that are forest where daffodils bloom on the forest floor. Admittedly, when they bloom (I've had them 10 years) the blooms are rather wimpy. I don't disturb the bulb until well after the leaves have dried out and before they need to be established in the ground (September?). Working from memory, I believe they were transplanted two years ago. I can't remember how they bloomed last year. I only thought to seek advice now. |
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Posted: May/02/2008 10:16 AM PST
I think sun is the only thing missing. I have mini-daffs under a tree and I only got one bloom from them their second year. I plan on moving them too, but I think I should move them before the tree shades them. The trees are starting to leaf out now so they'll be in full shade before the foliage browns. I've heard daffs can take some shade but they must be getting too much. |
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Posted: May/02/2008 10:12 PM PST
Okay, so is the daff foliage suppose to be cut off once it browns? Mine are looking pretty droopy by now and I have a lot of other stuff in that bed that they are covering up. |
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Posted: May/03/2008 2:32 AM PST
Once the leaves turn brown, you can cut them off. They've done their job. If they are still green, but droopy, they're still trying to store as much energy in the bulb as they can for next year. That may be the problem. If the leaves of the tree shades them while they are still green and working, they might not be getting all the energy that they need to produce a good flower the following year. |
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Posted: May/03/2008 5:01 AM PST
I planted new daffs the year before last, and the first year was a bit lackluster. This year they blossomed nicely. I had planted them a bit late in the season, because that is when someone dropped them off to me. Daffodills are very hardy plants. Mine get crowded, and I have to divide them every few years as well. (I know that is not your difficulty, because I see you just did that!) |
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