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| Narcissus cut flowers add cheer to your home. |
Cold temperatures are necessary for these early Spring flowering bulbs. Without some chilling period, the bulbs won't form flower buds. If you happen to purchase Narcissus bulbs that have not undergone dormancy, it is wise to chill them in your fridge for about 6 to 12 weeks.
Soil and Fertilizer
Plant the bulbs by leaving about 6 inches of depth under them to give room for their roots to grow.
!IMPORTANT! Narcissus bulbs are unhappy when the roots get too crowded (if planted in a small pot). This may result in failure to bloom, or we call it blind bulbs.
Avoid planting in soil that is prone to retain too much moisture, or soil that has been wet for very long. The soil may be fertilized with any kind that could help with flowering.
!IMPORTANT! Do not separate the bulbs that are attached together. One of them (usually, the smaller one) is a bulblet to its parent, and it should not be detached from the bigger bulb.
Light and Watering
Narcissus are flowering plants that require a lot of bright light for growth. Find a location where they are protected from Malaysian hot afternoon sun. Provide an ample amount of water to promote root growth which will likely occur between 4 to 8 weeks. Don't let the soil become waterlogged as the bulbs may go rot.
Pests and Diseases
No known pests as the foliage is poisonous for most insects. If the foliage forms yellow vertical streaks, throw away the bulb as it may have been infected by virus and could also be transferred to the healthy bulbs.
End of Flowering Care
Leave the foliage attached to the bulbs until they dry up, signaling the end of growth. Remove the leaves and dig up the bulbs. Clean them from any soil residue and store them dormant in the chiller of your fridge for 6 to 12 weeks. Use an airtight container to avoid contact with any vegetables or fruits to prevent bulbs from rotting.
!IMPORTANT! Only remove the bulbs from their dormancy (your chiller, in this case) when you know it's planting time. Never repeatedly take them out and place them back inside the fridge as this will interrupt their beauty sleep. They need to be well rested before they can be woken up to grow again.
