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Daffodils Haven't Bloomed in 2 Years

cgm707's picture

Daffodils Haven't Bloomed in 2 Years (post #16416)

cgm707 on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 19:55 (updated 03/03/10 - 03:13) 
in

I have several daffodils on a quarter-acre in San Diego. My garden is lush with perennials and bulbs that do flower. The daffodils (many varieties) bloomed the first year and that's it. The leaves look good, I have fed the bulbs. 

Thanks for any help.

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KimmI's picture

Most often the reason (post #16416, reply #1 of 4)

by KimmI in reply to cgm707 [original] on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 05:12

Most often the reason Daffodils don't blossom the year after they are planted is because the foliage was cut off too soon and the plants did not get a chance to develop that new blossom. I've not seen a problem with Doffodils being planted too deeply, or not deep enough, just cutting the foliage too soon, before the foliage dies back on its own. On occassion I have seen Daffodils not blossom because of a too wet soil, but usually the growth of those Daffodils greatly diminshes in a year or two as the bulbs rot.

The sign of a good gardener is brown knees, not a green thumb.

SteveA's picture

I wonder if it gets cold (post #16416, reply #2 of 4)

by SteveA in reply to cgm707 [original] on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 14:20

I wonder if it gets cold enough for them. Many (most?) plants have a cold hardiness range that expresses not only how much cold they can tolerate but also how much cold they need.

--Steve Aitken, Editor, Fine Gardening
ThankGod4Gardening's picture

I have had Daffodils crowd (post #16416, reply #3 of 4)

by ThankGod4Gardening in reply to cgm707 [original] on Fri, 03/05/2010 - 13:34

I have had Daffodils crowd themselves to the point that the blooms reduced in size and/or in number, but it takes many years. I agree with the comment on removing foliage too early. If the bulbs are not allowed to store enough energy...it cannot produce flowers.  Also, the micro climates within our yards and gardens change over the years with new plantings, plant die back, or any changes in general ( like in my case, I added a fence)...you might check the amount of sun those leaves get to see if it has changed since they were originally planted. If so, commit to move them in the fall. Remember they may bloom in the spring, but they store energy through late spring/early summer when the overgrowth around them may shade the leaves more than you would think. 

AstridElsaJo's picture

I have planted daffs which (post #16416, reply #4 of 4)

by AstridElsaJo in reply to cgm707 [original] on Sun, 03/07/2010 - 10:41

I have planted daffs which didn't bloom the way I had expected, and then someone mentioned that buying and planting bulbs in early spring isn't always the best time to plant. Sometimes bulbs are leftovers from last year, not so likely to thrive, and may be basically smaller and inferior to fresh bulbs.Is it  better to plant fresh good size bulbs in the fall so they will be more established by spring, and buy good size, firm bulbs from reputable nurseries?