If you think that daffodils can do without water and fertilizer, you are wrong. Because even the heralds of spring need a little care.
Most people think that daffodils and co. do not need more than air to develop beautifully. But always remember that the bulbs do not bloom just once, but every year. So it should be clear that after a few years they will need some support to flower vigorously.
Daffodils, for example, are sensitive to a lack of water. Therefore, pour plenty of water, especially during the flowering period. While fertilization is not quite as important for flowers as it is for other plants, it should not be completely neglected in either the garden or potted plants. This is the only way you can look forward to vigorous plants.
How to properly fertilize daffodils
Fertilize daffodils in the bed:
Fertilize your daffodils in the bed as soon as the ground no longer freezes. Even before the first green appears, use horn shavings to give the plants a good start to the growing season. If shoots can already be seen, the finer horn meal is recommended.
Compost is particularly good for the daffodils just before flowering. When planting new daffodils in the summer, you can also add mature compost to the planting hole to provide the best possible conditions for the new roots to grow.
Fertilize daffodils in the pot:
If your daffodils are grown in pots, nutrient-rich potting soil already provides a solid basis for plant growth. Before flowering, however, you can add a little liquid flower bulb fertilizer to the irrigation water or stick a fertilizer stick into the soil. But don't overdo it, because the nutrients hardly get lost in the pot.
How to water the daffodil correctly
Water the daffodils in the bed:
Daffodils need the most water during flowering. From March onwards, keep the flowers regularly moist and, if possible, water them in the morning hours. The likelihood of waterlogging is then lower because the plants use the most water during the day.
The risk of waterlogging can already be avoided when planting the bulbs by using a sand-gravelPour the mixture into the planting hole. If the soil in your garden is loose and permeable anyway, waterlogging is not usually a problem.
Water the daffodils in the pot:
Even potted daffodils need good drainage. Therefore, choose a flower pot with a hole in the bottom for drainage. Under no circumstances should the pot dry out completely or even to a large extent. Also consider that daffodils need more water in heated rooms than balcony plants.
You can easily check if the roots are still getting enough water by sticking a finger a few centimeters into the soil. If you don't feel any moisture on your fingertip, you should water the daffodils.
A little tip at the end:
If you have the choice between fresh rainwater from a barrel and tap water, choose the water from the barrel. Rainwater is less calcareous than tap water and is better for the flowers.