Plant Care and Gardening Tips

Gardening advice and plant care notes

January 2, 2013 · CUT FLOWER CARE / Daffodils

Do not mix Daffodils

Daffodils should not be mixed with other flowers in a vase.

Cut daffodils

Cut daffodils release a stem-clogging sap (slime exudate) that causes other flowers to wilt especially tulips. Cut them early in the morning when they are barely opened and place them in a bucket of luke warm water for several hours. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar to quart of water to preserve freshness. Wait at least 12 hours after cutting before combining them with other flowers this allows time for the sap to leach out. Do not recut them when arranging with other flowers. They should last 4-6 days depending on temperature exposure.

Recent studies have shown that floral preservative should not be added to cut tulips. It shortens their longevity by clogging the stem causing them to wilt.

assorted cut tulips

5 Comments

  1. reba steen - February 18, 2006 at 1:52 pm

    2-18-06 I live in zone8….I am concern about my tulips, it is suppose to get to 27 tonight . Will this temperture kill my tulips? They have already come up.

    Your tulips will survive. They are hardy and even if the leaves get nipped by the frost, the flower is still deep inside so that it will not be affected. It will take lower temperatures than 27 to kill your tulips. If your flowers are already out; cover them with a loose mulch/straw to weather them through the cold temperatures.

    Reply
  2. Tracy - March 23, 2007 at 10:07 am

    My daffodils are done blooming. What should I do with the dying foliage? Can I trim back?

    Once they are finished blooming, pinch off the flower head and allow the foliage to die back naturally. This process replenishes the bulb with nutrients that it will need for next season. Cutting, braiding or tying the foliage reduces the amount of food being stored and can result in no flowers or no plants in subsequent years. The unsightly, yellow or brown foliage can be trimmed or hidden when you interplant with annuals and perennials. Plants such as : daylilies, ferns, hosta, periwinkle, pasque flower, coral bells are good partner plants that come up in spring and will screen the dying leaves.

    Reply
  3. Jenny - March 28, 2007 at 6:13 am

    What is the difference between daffodils, narcissus and jonquils?

    Narcissus is the genus to which both daffodils and jonquils belong. Daffodil is commonly used for Narcissus but not all narcissus are daffodils. Jonquils are a specific variety of Narcissus.

    Reply
  4. Patricia - March 28, 2007 at 6:58 am

    Can you dry daffodil flowers for arrangements?

    Daffodils are usually not dried but can be if you use silica gel. To do this, cut the fully opened flowers with 1-2 inch stem and place in a container filled 1/2 with silica gel. Insert the stem first into the gel and then pour the rest to cover the flower being carefull not to crush the flower. Cover and let is sit until the gel indicates a slight pink color. Another way is to air dry in a vase if the humidity is low. As with most dried flowers, the color will darken.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before publication. Keep questions specific and avoid promotional links.