Cutting early bloomers? Isn't that unnecessary? Very few plant lovers know that it can make sense to cut early bloomers such as daffodils. But under what circumstances or when is a cut appropriate?
When and why should you cut daffodils?
When should you cut daffodils? To create cut flowers for the vase, cut daffodils when the buds are still closed. Cut off the old flower stems to prevent seed formation. Remove yellow leaves to make room for new growth. Wear gloves during these steps to avoid skin irritation.
Win cut flowers for the vase
One reason to cut daffodils is to get cut flowers for the vase. With proper care, which includes daily water changes, and in the right place, daffodils will last well in a vase for a week.
The best time to cut off the flower stems is when the buds are still closed. As soon as the daffodils smell warm room air, the buds open quickly. But be careful: other early bloomers such as tulips do not get along with daffodils in the vase.
Cut back the flower stems
After the daffodils bloom is over, you can cut off the old flower stems:
- Purpose: Prevent seed formation
- Why? Seed formation robs the daffodil of nutrients
- It's better to leave nutrients to the onion
- Where do you cut off? As far down the stem as possible
Don’t cut off the leaves too early
After the daffodils have bloomed, the leaves can also be removed if you find them ugly. This procedure is not absolutely necessary and is a major source of error
It's like with tulips and other bulbous flowers: Be careful not to cut off the leaves when they're green. Wait until they turn yellow. This usually happens around mid-June. Beforehand, the leaves produce nutrients that are then transported to the bulb and stored there. They are significant for next year's flowers.
Wear gloves to avoid skin irritation
Daffodils are poisonous. For this reason, you should wear rubber gloves (€9.00 on Amazon) when cutting and disposing of the plant parts. If you neglect this, you risk the toxic mucilage escaping through the cut parts of the plant and irritating your palms. The result can be inflammation.
Tips & Tricks
If you have planted a whole bed full of daffodils and are bothered by the yellow and desolate-looking leaves, you can plant ground cover plants such as cranesbills and cushion bellflowers. They cover the old leaves of the daffodils.
