Once planted, they reappear every year. Daffodils don't need much care. But over time they need all the nutrients in the soil and it's not a mistake to think about fertilizer
When and how should you fertilize daffodils?
Daffodils should be fertilized when they bloom sparsely and appear stunted. Fertilization is preferably carried out before and after flowering with a balanced fertilizer that contains less nitrogen than potassium and phosphorus, such as compost or liquid fertilizer.
Why should you fertilize daffodils?
As soon as your daffodils are only flowering sparsely and appear stunted, it is the right time to provide them with fertilizer. Adding fertilizer makes sense, among other things:
- for the nutrient supply of the onions
- to stimulate growth
- for long-lasting flowering
- for a large number of flowers
- to strengthen the plant defense against diseases and pests
Daffodils in the bed do not need fertilizer
Daffodils that grow in beds or outdoors do not necessarily need fertilizer. On the other hand, daffodils in pots should be fertilized regularly. If you still want to fertilize your daffodils in the garden, be careful not to overdo it!
When should you fertilize?
When the first green can be seen, the first fertilizer can be applied. This is usually the case between the beginning and middle of March. Fertilization can be carried out once a month until summer. Basically, it is advisable to only fertilize before (about a month before) and after flowering.
Which fertilizer is suitable?
The fertilizer should be balanced and released slowly into the soil. A fertilizer that contains less nitrogen than potassium and phosphorus is ideal for daffodils. For daffodils in pots, the choice is liquid fertilizer (€12.00 on Amazon) or fertilizer sticks. Daffodils in the garden can be provided with compost.
What should you pay attention to when fertilizing?
If you fertilize your daffodils with compost, you should incorporate the compost carefully. If you are afraid of damaging the bulbs, sprinkle the compost on top. The rain washes the nutrients into the depths. It is also important not to apply the fertilizer to the leaves. This can cause burns to the leaves and loss of flowers.
Tips & Tricks
You can avoid adding fertilizer to daffodils outdoors if you cover the plants with mulch. At the same time, the mulch layer ensures that the soil and therefore the bulbs in it do not dry out in summer.
