Narcissus flowers are so beautiful, but they wither in the blink of an eye. What should you do? Don't worry, let me tell you how to care for your narcissus after it blooms, so your precious flower can continue to bloom beautifully next year!
I. Post-blooming Pruning: Don't Let Withered Flowers Drag You Down
When the narcissus flowers have withered, those withered flowers and leaves must not be left behind, as they will consume the precious nutrients of the narcissus. Pick up your small scissors and gently snip off the wilted flowers and leaves. Be careful not to damage the stem.
II. Care and Management: Letting the Flowers Grow Strong
1. Light Adjustment: Narcissus flowers love sunlight but should be protected from intense direct sunlight. Move them to a partially shaded spot to enjoy diffused light, which will help them grow healthier.
2. Water Control: Narcissus flowers prefer a moist environment, but overwatering should be avoided. The soil should be slightly moist; excessive watering can cause root rot.
3. Fertilization: In the later stages of growth, apply a moderate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote bulb maturity. Stop applying nitrogen fertilizer to help the plant grow stronger.
III. Bulb Treatment: Preparing for Next Year's Blooms
1. Natural Drying: Once the leaves have completely turned yellow and begun to wilt, which takes about 4-6 weeks, you can remove the plant along with the potting soil and let it air-dry naturally in a well-ventilated and shaded place.
2. Storing the Bulb: After the bulb is completely dry, separate it from the soil, remove any remaining dirt and dead leaves, and place it in a breathable paper bag or mesh bag. Store it in a cool, dry place until replanting in the autumn.
IV. Precautions: Keeping Your Flowers Free from Pests and Diseases1. Pest and Disease Control: Regularly inspect the plant for any abnormalities and take timely measures, such as spraying insecticides or fungicides, if you notice any issues.
2. Dormancy Protection: Ensure the storage environment has a suitable temperature, between 5°C and 10°C, to avoid diseases caused by high temperatures or humidity.
3. Timely Replanting: Choose the best time for replanting based on your local climate conditions, generally between late autumn after the leaves have fallen and early winter.
V. Care Tips: Making Your Narcissus Even More Beautiful1. Switch to Soil Culture: After water-cultivated narcissus flowers have finished blooming, you can consider switching to soil cultivation and follow the care methods for soil-grown plants.
2. Save the Bulb: If you want your narcissus to bloom again next year, you must save its bulb. You can store it in a low-temperature refrigerator or bury it in moist sandy loam or fine sand.
3. Continue Care: After the narcissus has finished blooming, you can also choose to do nothing, allowing the withered flowers to fall off naturally without removing the plant from its growing environment. Simply continue to care for it.
4. Water Timely: After blooming, the narcissus needs appropriate water to maintain growth and store nutrients, but be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to damp roots and cause diseases.
5. Provide Nutrients: During its growth, the narcissus needs sufficient nutrients. After it has finished blooming, apply a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer once or twice a month to provide the necessary nutrients for growth.
6. Light Conditions: When growing narcissus, insufficient light will prevent the plant from growing properly and may stop it from blooming. Move the narcissus to a bright location where it can receive at least ten hours of natural light per day.
7. General Care: When caring for narcissus, you need to provide it with loose, fertile, and humus-rich soil. You can use a nutrient mix of leaf mold, garden soil, and perlite in a 2:1:1 ratio as the growing medium. It's also important to add sufficient base fertilizer to the soil, such as well-rotted organic matter, to make it more fertile.
After all this, have you learned how to care for your narcissus after it blooms? Go ahead and give it a try, so your narcissus can continue to bloom beautifully next year!