The Cultivation Method and Precautions for Narcissus
A small tip for life, introducing the differences between Zhangzhou Narcissus and foreign Narcissus, let's take a look with the editor!
Speaking of Narcissus, many flower enthusiasts will think of Zhangzhou Narcissus, because every year during the Spring Festival Gala, there is a pot on the tables of the audience. In fact, besides Zhangzhou Narcissus, there are also foreign Narcissus with larger and more beautiful flowers.
Differences Between Zhangzhou Narcissus and Foreign Narcissus
Zhangzhou Narcissus has a cultivation history of more than 500 years. The bulbs of Zhangzhou Narcissus are larger, and the flowers have a strong fragrance. Due to the poor flowering habit of Zhangzhou Narcissus and the relatively cheap price of bulbs, most are cultivated in water. After flowering, the bulbs are discarded. The bulbs of Zhangzhou Narcissus can be carved, and the carved Zhangzhou Narcissus can show different forms when flowering, with a strong artistic beauty.
The bulbs of foreign Narcissus are relatively smaller, but the varieties of foreign Narcissus are more abundant, including single-petal and double-petal varieties, with various colors, and good flowering habits. With sufficient fertilizer and water, they can rebloom every year, and the bulbs will also grow larger. Foreign Narcissus flowers have no fragrance.
The Cultivation Method and Precautions for Foreign Narcissus
Foreign Narcissus, also known as yellow Narcissus, is a perennial plant of the Amaryllidaceae family, Narcissus genus. It prefers a warm, humid, and sunny environment, with a natural flowering period from March to April. It can be planted in the ground or in pots for ornamental purposes.
1. Planting Method for Foreign Narcissus Bulbs
Foreign Narcissus is easy to manage when planted in the ground, with no strict soil requirements. Ordinary garden soil is suitable for planting. If the soil is heavy, it's best to add river sand and organic fertilizer to improve it, to prevent waterlogging and bulb rot during heavy rain.
If planting in a pot, choose a well-drained and fertile soil, and use general nutrient soil for planting, adding an adequate amount of fermented organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer.
To prevent bulb rot, soak the bulbs in an 800-fold solution of carbendazim for 20 minutes before planting, then remove and dry them before planting. Foreign Narcissus is best planted in autumn and winter. Whether in the ground or in pots, the bulbs should be completely covered with soil when planting, with a recommended covering thickness of 6-8 cm.
After planting, water thoroughly and then place in a sunny area to wait for germination. Note that before germination, it's best to water minimally, keeping the potting soil slightly moist.
2. Daily Fertilization and Water Management
After planting foreign Narcissus bulbs from September to December, they will not germinate immediately, so during the winter period, watering should be particularly careful, better to be dry than wet. Foreign Narcissus grown outdoors can rely on natural rain in winter and does not need to be watered. Potted plants that do not get rain should be watered once a month.
Although foreign Narcissus does not germinate in winter, it will grow roots and absorb nutrients, so it is recommended to bury slow-release fertilizer shallowly around the pot. In spring, after foreign Narcissus germinates, normal fertilization and watering management can be carried out, watering thoroughly when dry and maintaining a weekly application of water-soluble fertilizer, such as a general growth fertilizer, for example, Huaduo No. 1.
After the foreign Narcissus has grown a flower scape, switch to using potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer or Huaduo No. 2, watering once a week to promote bud growth until the buds show color, then stop fertilizing. After the flowers fade, cut off the faded flowers and apply potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer again to promote bulb enlargement until summer, when foreign Narcissus starts to yellow and stop fertilizing, allowing it to enter natural dormancy.
3. Light Management
Foreign Narcissus prefers a sunny environment. It's fine not to expose it to the sun before germination, but after germination, it should be kept in sufficient light. Insufficient light will cause the plant to grow weakly and is less likely to flower.
4. Overwintering and Summer Management
Foreign Narcissus requires vernalization to bloom. For potted foreign Narcissus, it's important not to place it in a room with heating in winter, otherwise, it cannot complete vernalization. It usually needs to be in an environment of about 5 degrees Celsius for a month to complete vernalization.
For foreign Narcissus planted in the ground in cold northern regions, it is recommended to cover the soil thickly, and if it's very cold, it's best to cover it with straw for insulation. If potted foreign Narcissus germinates early in winter, it is recommended to maintain a temperature of about 5 degrees Celsius. Below freezing, the above-ground part may suffer frost damage.
In summer, foreign Narcissus enters dormancy, with the above-ground part completely withered. For foreign Narcissus planted in the ground, it can be left alone as long as there is no waterlogging, and it will germinate again the following spring. For potted foreign Narcissus, it is recommended to dig up the bulbs after dormancy and store them in a cool and ventilated place.
This article shares the differences between Zhangzhou Narcissus and foreign Narcissus and the cultivation methods and precautions for foreign Narcissus. I hope it brings a little help to your life!