Narcissus

The genus Narcissus (Narcissus) contains approximately 60 species of perennial bulbous usually resistant plants, from which many cultivars are obtained. Of these, at least 500 are widely distributed, not counting natural hybrids and botanical varieties (more than 100). The bulb is rounded, bottle-shaped with 9-17 storing and covering scales. Numerous leaves are basal, linear or cylindrical. The peduncle is leafless. Fragrant flowers are large, erect or drooping, single and several pieces, white, yellow or two-tone colors. Varieties of daffodils differ in the structure of the flower, crown (tube), size, shape, color, flowering time, etc. And depending on these characteristics are divided into groups. From daffodils with an elongated (tubular) crown, the Asturian daffodil (Narcissus asturiensis, or N. minimus) is known - a species with a height of 8-10 cm with linear leaves and small yellow flowers. False daffodil (N. pseudonarcissus) 30-40 cm tall with large lemon-yellow flowers (sometimes white or bicolored). The following types are characterized by a small crown. Narcissus. juncifolius - a type of height of 10-20 cm with cylindrical leaves, yellow flowers - with a flattened crown. Fragrant daffodil (N. x odorus) - a hybrid of tubular and jonquilla-shaped daffodils up to 50 cm high, with large (up to 7 cm) fragrant yellow flowers (2-3 on the peduncle) with a bell-shaped crown. Grow and forms with double flowers. The height of the poetic narcissus (N. poeticus) is usually 20-30 cm; the leaves are belt-shaped. The flowers are white, the crown is flat, saucer-shaped red or yellow with a red border. The height of the bouquet daffodil (N. tazetta) from the group of tazetta- shaped 30-70 cm. Numerous (up to 12) fragrant flowers have a white perianth and a yellow or completely white crown.

The genus Narcissus (Narcissus) contains approximately 60 species of perennial bulbous usually resistant plants, from which many cultivars are obtained. Of these, at least 500 are widely distributed, not counting natural hybrids and botanical varieties (more than 100). The bulb is rounded, bottle-shaped with 9-17 storing and covering scales. Numerous leaves are basal, linear or cylindrical. The peduncle is leafless. Fragrant flowers are large, erect or drooping, single and several pieces, white, yellow or two-tone colors.

Varieties of daffodils differ in the structure of the flower, crown (tube), size, shape, color, flowering time, etc. And depending on these characteristics are divided into groups.

From daffodils with an elongated (tubular) crown, the Asturian daffodil (Narcissus asturiensis, or N. minimus) is known - a species with a height of 8-10 cm with linear leaves and small yellow flowers. False daffodil (N. pseudonarcissus) 30-40 cm tall with large lemon-yellow flowers (sometimes white or bicolored).

The following types are characterized by a small crown.

Narcissus. juncifolius - a type of height of 10-20 cm with cylindrical leaves, yellow flowers - with a flattened crown. Fragrant daffodil (N. x odorus) - a hybrid of tubular and jonquilla-shaped daffodils up to 50 cm high, with large (up to 7 cm) fragrant yellow flowers (2-3 on the peduncle) with a bell-shaped crown. Grow and forms with double flowers.

The height of the poetic narcissus (N. poeticus) is usually 20-30 cm; the leaves are belt-shaped. The flowers are white, the crown is flat, saucer-shaped red or yellow with a red border. The height of the bouquet daffodil (N. tazetta) from the group of tazetta- shaped 30-70 cm. Numerous (up to 12) fragrant flowers have a white perianth and a yellow or completely white crown.

Cultivation

Daffodils are designed for growing outdoors: both in the open ground (in flower beds and rock gardens), and in bowls. Bulbs are planted in September, so that they take root before the onset of frost, in light sandy loam fertile soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction of the environment. When planting, organic (rotted manure) and complex mineral (40-50 g / m2) fertilizers. Daffodils can be planted thickly in flower beds if you dig them out of the ground every year. In rock gardens, daffodils are planted in the foreground or among taller plants. In bowls, bulbs are planted end - to - end, in autumn; use soil consisting of 1/3 of peat, 1/3 of fertile soil and 1/3 of sand. Complete mineral fertilizer is applied at the rate of 10-20 g per bucket of soil.

Location

Daffodils are planted in lighted areas that are closed from the wind; they can easily tolerate a little shading.

Temperature

Most species are frost-resistant. Only some varieties of daffodil bouquet can suffer from cold weather, so in the fall, the bulbs must be dug up and stored for the winter. Again planted in the soil in the spring.

Watering

If there is little precipitation in the spring, it is necessary to water often so that the bulbs are normally formed (filled).

Transplant

When the pot is completely filled with bulbs (this happens after 3-4 years), they are removed, the soil is changed, the excess ones are removed, and then planted again.

Reproduction

Propagate by daughter bulbs and babies. They are separated in the fall and immediately planted in a separate flower bed.

Diseases

Too high humidity with excessive watering can lead to rotting bulbs, fungi of the genera Penicitlium and Fusarium develop, which leads the plant to death. Gray rot (Botrytis), in addition to damage to bulbs, provokes the appearance of gray mold on the plant. Viral diseases cause yellowing of leaves and their deformation. Affected plants are usually removed. Nematode damage causes yellowing of the leaves, which is accompanied by the destruction of bulbs and peduncles. You should use healthy soil, and for prevention, it is recommended to sow marigolds next to daffodils whose, the smell also deters nematodes. Stems and leaves damage snails, and their reproduction is curbed by scattering toxic powder or collecting pests by hand.

Acquisition

Daffodil bulbs are easy to find at any retail outlet offering plants. They should be elastic, not soft (a sign of rotting).