The daffodil completes its flowering period quickly before entering a necessary post-bloom recovery. This phase often raises the question of whether the bulbs should be dug up as the vibrant foliage begins to decline. The bulbs should be left in the ground after the flowers fade. The decision to dig up the bulbs depends on specific gardening needs, not the immediate end of the bloom.
Post-Flowering Care: The Critical Role of Foliage
The green, strap-like leaves of the daffodil (Narcissus) fuel the next year’s bloom. Once the petals drop, the plant enters a food-making phase, using the foliage for photosynthesis. This process converts sunlight into carbohydrates and sugars that the bulb stores as energy for summer dormancy and spring flowering.
Prematurely cutting back the green foliage severely limits the energy the bulb can store. This starves the bulb of resources required to form a flower bud. This can lead to “blindness,” where the plant produces healthy leaves but no flowers. The leaves must be allowed to yellow and die back naturally, which typically takes six to eight weeks after the bloom finishes.
Gardeners should resist the urge to braid, knot, or tie the dying foliage to improve aesthetics. Manipulating the leaves reduces the exposed surface area, decreasing the plant’s ability to capture sunlight and perform photosynthesis efficiently. The best practice is to remove the spent flower head, called deadheading, to prevent the plant from diverting energy into seed production. Once the leaves are completely brown and wilted, they can be easily removed at the soil level.
When and Why to Lift Daffodil Bulbs
The default action is to leave daffodil bulbs undisturbed, but there are specific reasons to lift them. The correct time to perform this task is only after the foliage has fully died back, typically in late spring or early summer. This ensures the bulb has completed its energy storage process.
Overcrowding is the most frequent reason for lifting bulbs, necessary every three to five years as the bulbs multiply. As the original bulb divides and creates smaller “offsets,” the dense clump competes intensely for water, nutrients, and space. This competition manifests as a decline in flower size and number, often resulting in lush foliage but few or no blooms.
Reasons to Lift Bulbs
Lifting is warranted for several reasons:
- Overcrowding, which causes a decline in flower size and number.
- Relocation, such as moving bulbs to a sunnier spot or using the planting location for summer annuals.
- Signs of disease, including soft texture or discoloration.
- Significant pest damage, requiring inspection and discarding infected material.
Gently dig a wide circle several inches away from the foliage using a garden fork to lift the entire clump without slicing the bulbs.
Preparing and Storing Lifted Bulbs
Once lifted, daffodil bulbs require preparation before storage for summer dormancy. Immediately after removal, gently brush the bulbs to remove soil clumps. Trim the dry foliage back to about an inch above the bulb. Avoid washing the bulbs, as excess moisture promotes fungal growth.
Curing the Bulbs
The next step is curing, where the bulbs are laid out in a single layer in a shaded, warm, and well-ventilated area for several days. This allows the outer layers to dry and harden, protecting the bulb from rot and disease. During this time, inspect each bulb; any that feel soft, show signs of mold, or are damaged should be discarded to prevent pathogen spread.
For long-term storage until replanting in the autumn, cured bulbs must be kept in a cool, dry, and dark environment. A mesh bag, paper bag, or ventilated crate provides the necessary air circulation to prevent moisture build-up. They should be replanted four to six weeks before the first expected hard frost.