Expert: Long Island Gardener - 11/12/2007

Question
i was wondering how you can plant narcissus(please excuse my spelling!) bulbs in rocks or sand. will it make them grow faster? i don't understand how they can grow without the nutrients provided in soil. please, i am doing a report on this and i need you're feedback quick. thank you!

Answer
Gee, I hope I'm not too late with this.  Narcissus (also known as Daffodils) won't grow BETTER in Sand or even a Glass of Water, but they will grow.  Reason: The Bulb is a food storage place for the tiny, hidden flower that grows way inside.  Daffodils happen to be poisonous to Squirrels (and people), but if you had a Tulip or a Hyacinth, you would be dealing with Squirrels all the time that like to steal the Bulbs and eat them.

If you cut a Daffodil bulb down the middle, you would be able to see the beginnings of the flower, surrounded by Plant Food.

That Plant Food has to be replenished.  You can't just keep using the same stuff over and over.  So when the Daffodil blooms, it also grows leaves to make MORE food.  You know that's what Photosynthesis is all about -- taking sunlight, using its energy to make food!  If the Bulb is growing in water or sand, there will be no food added to the storage facility (the Bulb) for next year and the flower will either be VERY SMALL or it won't exist at all.

Hope that's clear.

Rate me please -- all 10s preferred, with a check in the box for Nominate.  Good luck on your report.  Thanks for writing.