Introduction to the Daffodil
Daffodils are the easiest to grow among garden flowers and will serve as a starting point for beginners in gardening. The name Daffodil is derived from Dutch "de affodil" meaning "the asphodel". Some kinds of Daffodil bulbs can outlive us under good conditions. Some of the best cultivars of Daffodils are found in the narrow region between Florida and Texas along the Gulf of Mexico. William Wordsworth's poem on 'a host of golden daffodils' depicts the allure of a successfully naturalized patch of daffodils better than any other.

Genus & History of the Daffodil
Daffodils are of the genus Narcissus and they belong to the Amaryllidacea family. Narcissus was a young hero in Greek mythology, who fell in love with his own image reflected in water. He remained gazing at it until he pined away and turned into a flower. Another legend has it that the flower was created to lure Demeter's daughter away from her friends so that Hades could carry her away. But in the language of flowers, Daffodils symbolize respect and chivalry. Daffodil is the national flower of Wales. In some areas, daffodils are also called jonquils, but actually only those belonging to divisions 7-10 are real jonquils. Certain species are miniatures.

Description & Types of Daffodils
There are about 25 species of Daffodils. Flower sizes vary from 5-inch blossoms on 2-foot stems to half inch ones on 2-inch stems. There are over 13000 hybrids daffodils.
Generally daffodils are classified into 12 divisions based the nature of their Corona (Trumpet or Cup).and Perianth (Petals) as:
1. Trumpet: These have a single flower to a stem with the trumpet not less than the length of the petals
2. Long Cup: A long cup also has a single flower on the stem but the cup is longer than 1/3 yet shorter than the perianth or outer segments.
3. Short Cup: The stem bears a single flower and the corona is not larger than 1/3 the length of the perianth segments
4. Double: There are more than one flower per stem and clustered cup, petals.
5. Triandrus: Drooping flowers with reflexed perianth and multiple lowers mark this division.
6. Cyclamineus: A stem bears a single bloom with markedly reflexed petals and straight narrow coroana.
7. Jonquilla: A cylindrical stem bears a cluster of fragrant flowers.
8. Tazetta: A solid stem bearing many fragrant, short cupped flowers with rounded, creased petals
9. Poeticus: The stem carries a single fragrant white flower with petals stained at their base with the color of its flat, red-edged cup.
10. Bulbocodium Hybrids: These flowers are small and shaped like hooped skirts.
11. Split Corona: As the name suggests, the corona is split up to 1/3 of its length or longer. Collar Daffodils and Papillion Daffodils are two sub categories of split corona daffodils.
12. Other Cultivars: Daffodils which do not fall into any of the above categories.
Species of wild daffodils. Any variety is identified as: Division No., Color code of perianth-color code of trumpet eg. 5Y-Y indicates a flower in division 5 with yellow petals and trumpet.

Propagating Daffodils
Daffodils propagate by bulb division as well as from seeds. The bulb divisions produce replicas of the parent whereas seeds produce hybrids through cross-pollination. However, it takes about 5 years for a plant grown from a seed to blossom. Planting and caring of Daffodils. Daffodils require slightly acidic, well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight to grow. They need to be planted in individual holes about thrice as deep as the bulb's height, over a mixture of low nitrogen fertilizer, peat moss and sand. A layer of sand should separate the bulb from this mixture. High nitrogen fertilizers should be avoided. The best time for planting is in October- November, depending on climatic conditions. They need plenty of moisture. Keep watering until 3 weeks after blooming then stop. Never trim or cut the foliage until it is yellow. The bulbs should be kept dry thereafter until the next season.

If the Daffodils do not bloom between three to five years it is a good idea to move them to another location. Naturalized daffodils can survive up to and over 50 years.
Potted bulbs must be removed, cleaned and stored in any cool dry place until the next season.
Pests. Also if we didn't answer any of your Daffodils questions please let us know.

Rodents may dig out the bulbs but avoid eating them as they are poisonous.

If you like this Daffodil page...These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory