My Boyfriend Bought Me Daffodil Bulbs From Amazon. I Received…
Sam Asked
My boyfriend bought me daffodil bulbs from Amazon. I received them today (2/21) and I planted one as an experiment. I dug 6 inches deep, in one pot, and made sure the soil was fairly moist. My question is: will this bulb grow, considering I waited a little to late to plant it?
And what should I do with the other nine bulbs? Is there a way I can save them or should I go ahead and plant them in the next few days, once my pots are cleaned?
Thanks!
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Sam: What a sweet boyfriend! Did your bulbs come with any information? I am wondering if they are really narcissus, commonly known as daffodils, or if they are Peruvian daffodils (Hymenocallis), also known as spider lily. My guess would be the Peruvian natives since he brought them back from the Amazon. Both belong to the Amaryllidaceae family, but they bloom at different times and are hardy to different zones. Assuming they are the Peruvian daffodils, the bulbs will produce fragrant blooms during the summer months, blooming white, cream, or yellow in color depending on cultivar. They are trumpet-shaped with thin extended-arching petals. These tender bulbs cannot survive temperatures less than 50 degrees F, so keep them indoors until temperatures both day and night are consistently above 50 degrees F. Go ahead and plant the rest of your bulbs. They should be planted no deeper than 5 inches and 8 inches apart in a potting soil that is peat/sand based and rich in nutrients. Make sure the containers have good drainage and keep them well-watered. The soil should not be allowed to completely dry out. These bulbs will benefit from a slow-release fertilizer and should receive plenty of sunshine. If possible place them in a south-facing window. Unfortunately, they will not survive the winter outdoors but you can save your bulbs from year to year. After they have finished blooming, gently remove them from the soil and store them in a dark, dry space, ideally between 60-70 degrees F until next spring when you can pot them up again.
