Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 5/26/2004

Question
I think I mistakenly pressed send before I was finished- I will start over
I have a bed of Daffodil bulbs and like to use that same bed in the summer to plant annuals (Impatiens).  In the past, I have become impatient in waiting for the Daffodil stems and greenery to die off, so I have cut it down to plant my annuals.  This spring I noticed that I had more greenry and stems then actual flowers.  Is this because I did not wait for the plants to completely die?  Right now the stems are still very green and I am anxious to get my annuals into the ground.  Can I trim the greenry back a bit- or should I just plant the annuals around the stems and wait for them to completely die before removing?  Also, is it a good idea to dig up the bulbs in the fall and split them and replant them to encourage more flowers?

Answer
Cutting back the foliage or otherwise restrict it before it dies back on it's own is not recommended, and a sure fire way to ensure they will not rebloom.

For maximum chance of rebloom, fertilize the bulbs as the poke their head above ground. then again as the plants are begining to flower. finally fertilize a 3rd time every fall when planting the bulbs - or over the area where they are planted.

Plant in full sun, or at least a place which get 4-6 hours of sun.

Do not restrict the foliage but keep the green leaves growing until they wither and die back on their own.

finally, deadhead the spent flowers. when the tulip petals start to fall off, or the daffodil flowers turn brown and wither, cut the flower off by cutting the flower stem a few inches behind the flower. this will also remove the seedpods which will drain energy from the bulbs. the seed pods appear just behind the flowers.

Every 2-3 years, dig the bulbs and "divide". By this is meant that you seperate them and discard the smaller bulbs. the larger bulbs are replanted with about 5 per sq foot. When you replant, take the time to mix in some compost or humus into the bottom of the hole. Always plant the bulbs about twice the dept of their height. e.g. if they are 2 1/4" tall, then dig a 4 1/2" deep hole. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole and mix in some compost. place the bulb with the flat basal plate down (the tips pointing up) and then cover with soil which also has been mixed with compost/humus. Spread some fertilizer over the top of the soil, and then water well to settle the soil.

e.g.
- fertilizer in fall, early spring and just as flowering is happening
- never restrict the foliage but allow it to die back naturally
- deadhead spent flowers
- seperate and divide bulbs every 2-3 years and if reduced flowering is noted. You can do this in late spring before the foliage die back. This will allow you to locate the bulbs easily (just plant them back with the foliage still intact).

Good luck.