Narcissus & Daffodil Guide: Planting, Forcing, and Care
Narcissus: The First Flowers of Spring
Narcissus — better known as daffodils — are among the earliest spring flowers. In Tashkent, they bloom from February-March. Cheerful yellow, white, or bi-colour, they're easy to grow both outdoors and indoors by forcing.
Interesting fact: Narcissus contains lycorine, an alkaloid that repels rodents and moles. Planted alongside tulips, narcissus actually protects tulip bulbs from underground pests.
Popular Varieties
Classic Yellow
- King Alfred — large, deep yellow, up to 45 cm. The iconic daffodil.
- Carlton — pale yellow, fragrant, excellent for cutting.
- Dutch Master — large trumpet, one of the most planted varieties worldwide.
White and Cream
- Ice Follies — white petals with cream cup, very reliable.
- Thalia — elegant, multiple flowers per stem, delicate fragrance.
- Mount Hood — pure white, large, great for bouquets.
Pink and Orange Cups
- Pink Charm — white petals with pink-orange cup.
- Salome — white petals, cup gradually turns pink.
- Professor Einstein — white with vivid orange cup, striking contrast.
Double Flowers
- Bridal Crown — cream-white, multi-petalled, strong fragrance.
- Tahiti — yellow with orange inner segments, lush.
Miniature Varieties
- Tête-à-Tête — dwarf (15-20 cm), multiple flowers, perfect for pots.
- Minnow — cream-yellow, 3-4 flowers per stem, fragrant.
Outdoor Planting
When to Plant in Tashkent
- Best time: October — first half of November
- Bulbs need 12-16 weeks of cold (2-9°C) to initiate flower development
- Later planting = delayed or absent bloom
How to Plant
- Depth: 3x the bulb diameter (typically 15-20 cm)
- Spacing: 10-15 cm between bulbs
- Soil: loose, well-draining, neutral to slightly acid (pH 6-7)
- Drainage: narcissus cannot tolerate waterlogged soil — add sand to the bottom of each hole
Garden Care
- Watering: only in dry spells during growth and flowering
- Feeding: early spring when shoots appear — balanced bulb fertiliser
- After flowering: do NOT cut leaves for 6-8 weeks — they feed the bulb for next year
- Digging: after leaves yellow (June-July), dry and store in cool dry place at 17-20°C
Forcing Narcissus Indoors
Forcing means making narcissus bloom at a chosen date. You can have daffodils flowering for Nawruz (March 21) or any other occasion.
Timing Guide
| Target bloom date | Start chilling |
|---|---|
| March 8 (Women's Day) | Early November |
| March 21 (Nawruz) | Mid November |
| New Year | September |
Step-by-Step Forcing
1. Select bulbs Large, firm bulbs without soft spots. Larger bulbs = more flowers.
2. Plant
- Pot with drainage holes, 15-20 cm diameter
- Mix: peat + perlite (50/50) or bulb potting mix
- Place bulbs close together, tip upright, just peeking above soil
- Water well
3. Chilling period (12-16 weeks)
- Dark place at 2-9°C: bottom of fridge, unheated balcony, cellar
- Keep soil slightly moist throughout
4. Bring into warmth
- When shoots reach 5-7 cm — move to a cool, dim spot (+12-15°C)
- After 1-2 weeks — move to room temperature (+18-20°C) in bright indirect light
- Avoid direct sun and radiator heat — cooler conditions extend bloom
5. Flowering
- 3-4 weeks after coming out of cold
- Blooms last 1-2 weeks; longer if kept cool (+15-18°C)
Water Forcing (Hydroponics)
Paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus / Ziva) can be grown in water:
- Fill a glass container with pebbles or gravel
- Set bulbs on top, fill water to just below the base of each bulb
- Place in a cool, dark spot for 4-6 weeks (paperwhites need less chilling)
- Move to light when shoots are 5-7 cm
Why Won't Narcissus Bloom?
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No flowers despite healthy leaves | Insufficient chilling | Increase cold period to 14-16 weeks |
| Weak/no regrowth after previous year | Leaves cut too early | Leave foliage 6-8 weeks post-bloom |
| Blooms but short & stunted | Planted too shallow | Plant deeper — minimum 15 cm |
| Gradual decline over years | Bulbs overcrowded | Dig up, divide, replant with more spacing |
Common Problems
Narcissus fly — larvae eat bulbs from inside. Signs: bulb feels hollow or mushy. Prevention: inspect carefully at digging time, destroy affected bulbs.
Basal rot (fusarium) — caused by waterlogged soil. Prevention: good drainage, don't overwater.
Botrytis (grey mould) — in humid conditions. Remove affected parts, improve airflow.
FAQ
When to plant narcissus bulbs in Tashkent? October to early November. Bulbs need 12-16 weeks of cold temperatures (2-9°C) to develop flower buds.
Are narcissus toxic? Yes — all parts are toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if ingested. They contain lycorine. Keep away from children and pets. The sap can cause skin irritation in some people — wear gloves when handling bulbs.
Can narcissus go in a vase with other flowers? Not immediately. For the first 24 hours, narcissus release compounds that are harmful to other cut flowers (tulips, roses). Condition narcissus alone in water overnight, rinse the stems, then arrange with other flowers.
How long do narcissus last in a vase? 5-7 days at 15-18°C. In heat (+25°C), just 2-3 days. Cut when the bud is still closed ("pencil stage") for longest vase life.
Are narcissus perennial? Yes — bulbs naturalise and multiply over the years, flowering annually. Every 4-5 years, dig and divide congested clumps.
What varieties are best for cutting? Carlton, Dutch Master, Ice Follies — large and fragrant. Tête-à-Tête for miniature arrangements.
Buy Narcissus in Tashkent
Studio Amina delivers fresh narcissus in season (February-March) — yellow, white, and double varieties, in bouquets and pot arrangements. Perfect for Women's Day (March 8) or Nawruz. Delivery across Tashkent in 1-2 hours.