Forcing Narcissus Bulbs

If you happen to be living in a country without the cold period of Winter, your best option is growing your Narcissus plants indoors.

Range of Narcissus cultivars (Image courtesy: Wikipedia)

Just like Tulips (read Forcing Tulip Bulbs), Narcissus or commonly known as Daffodils need a 'nap time' before they can be grown again. This naturally happens during Winter, when the bulbs are stored dormant in a cold and dark place until they are ready for planting. One can emulate this process using a refrigerator if the bulbs are going to be planted in a place without Winter.

Bulb of Narcissus Obdam

Narcissus has bulbous bulbs; they often have little ones attached to them. When you make a purchase, you will notice that a Narcissus bulb comes together with its little ones, at the price of one bulb. From here, you can determine the size of pot you will need for your Narcissus to grow.

Tip: You can also layer the bulbs with other plant bulbs that you have in one container (read How to Layer Bulbs by mrbrownthumb).

You will know when the bulbs are ready for planting, when either the shoot emerging or roots starting to form.

Forced Narcissus bulbs which are planted in pots or containers, grow better when their roots have room to expand. To do this, plant the bulbs shallowly by having them just right below the surface of the soil, close to one another (but not touching), leaving ample room in the soil under the bulbs for the roots to grow.

Tip: You can even plant the bulbs half exposed!

Bulbs are planted close together, as shown here by Elizabeth Licata from gardenrant.com

Tricking Narcissus to grow even when it's not the season yet is just as easy as growing Hyacinths indoors. Instead of introducing the planted bulbs straight away to the sunlight, you must let the roots grow first. To do this, cover the pot with dark paper or plastic where light cannot pass through. This step, however, is not completely necessary.

Gradually expose your Narcissus plants to a bright windowsill as soon as you see some shoots of sheathed leaves emerging from the bulbs.

Narcissus shoots. (Image courtesy: Wikipedia)

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Read further on Narcissus care on page Care for Narcissus. 

Potted Narcissus, as shown by gardeningknowhow.com

Tip: Narcissus can also be grown with pebbles and water. Read further on Force Narcissus on Pebbles.

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