Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 1/18/2004

Question
Hi Kenneth,

I live in London in the UK, outside we have regular frosts and our pond freezes over. This is our winter, spring starts in mid-March. We can have snow anytime upto late April.

At a local garden centre I bought some daffodil bulbs as they were being sold off very very cheaply (only about 10% of what I paid 3 months ago!). Many of the bulbs are sprouting.

I assume it's too late to plant them this year for flowering, my question is should I store them in a cupboard to plant next autumn or should I plant them now anyway ?

Regards,

Lian  

Answer
Daffodils require a cooling period (vernalization) in order to grow and flower. You are better off keeping the bulbs in the ground than in storage, as daffodils dry out pretty quickly.

If you can work the soil outdoors, dig a hole 8-10" deep and plant the daffodils now. It does not matter if the ground freezes after the fact, the bulbs are hardy. I would still cover the ground with 3-4" of mulch (shredded leaves, shredded hardwood mulch, etc).

In spring, at the right time, the daffodils will grow and flower, provided the cool period was long enough.

You can also store the bulbs in the fridge in a well ventilated bag ("onion sack"). Do not keep fresh fruit or flowers in the fridge as the ripening process gives off ethylene which can sterilize the bulbs. In early spring (at least 10 weeks after starting) take the bulbs directly to a pre-dug hole and plant. the bulbs should still be able to flower.