Daffodil Narcissus 'Jetfire' (6)
ABOUT
Narcissus 'Jetfire' is an eye-catching daffodil known for its bright and bold colors. This plant features a vibrant yellow trumpet-shaped flower with a slightly flared, frilly orange rim that bursts from the center. Each flower is supported by a sturdy stem that usually bears a single bloom. The petals radiate around the trumpet, resembling a star with their pointed tips, and are a lighter yellow hue that contrasts nicely with the vivid central trumpet. The foliage of Narcissus 'Jetfire' is slender, sword-shaped, and a deep green color, creating a fresh, vertical backdrop for the dramatic blossoms that add a splash of cheerfulness to any space they occupy.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Amaryllidaceae.
Synonyms
Cyclamineus Daffodil, Jetfire Narcissus, Cyclamineus Narcissus.
Common names
Narcissus 'Jetfire'
ToxicityTo humans
The common name for Narcissus 'Jetfire' is daffodil. Daffodils contain toxic alkaloids such as lycorine and are poisonous to humans if ingested. Eating any part of the plant can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In severe cases, consuming daffodils can lead to more serious symptoms like cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions, or significant drops in blood pressure. Handling the bulb may also cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
To pets
Daffodil, the common name for Narcissus 'Jetfire', is toxic to pets if ingested. The primary toxin, lycorine, can cause symptoms such as vomiting, salivation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes more severe effects like cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory depression. Ingesting large amounts may lead to severe poisoning with potentially fatal outcomes, particularly if the bulb, which is the most toxic part, is consumed.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
1 foot 4-6 inches (35-45 cm)
Spread
0 foot 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Western Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Early Spring Blooming: Adds vibrant color to the garden when few other plants are in bloom.
- Attracts Pollinators: Welcomes bees and other pollinating insects which are beneficial for gardens.
- Easy to Grow: A hardy plant that requires minimal care and can thrive in a wide range of conditions.
- Multiplication: Bulbs can naturally multiply over time, increasing the display without additional cost.
- Deer Resistance: Less likely to be eaten by deer, protecting the aesthetic of gardens.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is quite tolerant of drought conditions, requiring less water.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Narcissus 'Jetfire', commonly known as daffodil, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics. The flowers possess pigments that could potentially provide varying shades of yellow to textiles.
- In some cultures, daffodils are considered symbols of luck and are planted in gardens or pots to attract positive energy and fortune to a household.
- The daffodil's strong stems can be used in children's craft projects to make model structures or whimsical flower characters due to their durability and length.
- Daffodil blooms are sometimes used in the art of flower pounding, where the image of the flower is transferred to paper or fabric by gently hammering it, thus releasing the daffodil's natural colors onto the material.
- Gardeners use spent daffodil bulbs as a natural form of composting material, adding essential nutrients back into the soil as they decompose.
- Daffodil flowers can serve as a muse or a model in still life painting and photography, offering a vibrant subject with striking colors and shapes.
- The plant can be integrated into educational programs about botany and plant life cycles, as the daffodil's growth from bulb to bloom is a tangible demonstration for students.
- Daffodil bulbs are sometimes used in a practice known as 'forcing,' where they are tricked into blooming early indoors to provide color and life during the end of winter days.
- The daffodil's distinct trumpet-like shape can inspire designers and architects, influencing patterns, motifs, or structural elements in their work.
- Culinary enthusiasts sometimes use crystallized daffodil petals as decorative yet inedible garnishes on cakes and desserts to add a touch of spring beauty.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe daffodil is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe daffodil is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Rebirth and Renewal: Narcissus, or daffodil, commonly symbolizes the coming of spring, representing new beginnings and the end of the cold winter months.
- Self-Esteem: The flower is associated with the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. It can symbolize self-love and self-esteem.
- Prosperity: In some cultures, daffodils are considered lucky and are believed to bring good fortune, especially when they bloom in spring.
- Inspiration: The vibrant, trumpet-like shape of the daffodil is often connected to creativity and artistic inspiration.
- Hope: The bright, cheerful appearance of the daffodil is a symbol of hope and encouragement to overcome challenges.
- Remembrance: Daffodils are used in some traditions to honor loved ones who have passed away and are a symbol of remembrance.
WaterThe Daffodil 'Jetfire' should be watered thoroughly once a week, allowing the soil to become moist but not soggy. During the active growing season in spring, provide roughly one to two gallons of water per square yard each week, depending on weather conditions and soil type. If rainfall is adequate, additional watering may not be necessary. Once the flowers have bloomed and the leaves begin to yellow, gradually reduce watering as the plant goes dormant. In the fall, when preparing for winter, no additional watering is generally required unless the weather is particularly dry.
LightDaffodil 'Jetfire' thrives in full sunlight to partial shade. It is best to place them in a spot where they can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. They can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter regions, but too much shade can impede flower development and overall vitality. The ideal location is a sunny, well-drained spot in the garden.
TemperatureDaffodil 'Jetfire' is hardy and can tolerate winter temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, though it prefers to grow in temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. During their growing season in the spring, they can handle short-term frosts, but sustained extreme cold below 20 degrees Fahrenheit may damage the plant. The bulbs require a period of cold dormancy, so winter chill is essential for a healthy bloom cycle.
PruningDaffodil 'Jetfire' does not require pruning in the traditional sense. However, once blooms have faded, it's beneficial to deadhead the flowers to prevent seed formation, which can divert energy from the bulb. Resist trimming the foliage until it has yellowed and withered naturally, which typically occurs several weeks after blooming, as the leaves produce nutrients for the bulb's next growth cycle. Pruning should not be necessary more than once at the end of the blooming season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilDaffodil 'Jetfire' thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of loam, sand, and peat moss can provide these conditions, ensuring good drainage and fertility. Incorporate compost to improve the soil structure and nutrient content.
RepottingDaffodils, including 'Jetfire', are typically not potted plants but grown from bulbs in the ground. Repotting does not apply as they are not kept in containers over their lifespan. Instead, they are planted annually in the fall.
Humidity & MistingDaffodil 'Jetfire' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions to thrive. As outdoor plants, they are well-adapted to the natural humidity levels found in their growing zones.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place daffodil 'Jetfire' in a sunny spot, water well, and keep cool after flowering.
Outdoor
Plant daffodil 'Jetfire' in fall, full sun or part shade, in well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleDaffodil 'Jetfire' begins its life cycle as a bulb, which lies dormant underground during the summer. In the fall, the bulb develops root systems in preparation for winter. Throughout the winter, the bulb remains relatively dormant, but as temperatures rise in early spring, it begins to sprout. The sprout grows into a flowering stem, with the daffodil typically blooming in early to mid-spring, showing its bright yellow petals and distinctive orange trumpet. After flowering, the plant goes through a period of photosynthesis to store energy in the bulb for the next season. Finally, as temperatures rise in late spring or early summer, the foliage dies back, and the plant reenters dormancy, completing the cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Narcissus 'Jetfire', commonly known as daffodil, is generally propagated through bulb division. The optimal time for dividing daffodil bulbs is after the foliage has died back in late spring to early summer, but you can also divide them in fall before the growing season starts. To propagate by division, you carefully dig up the clumps of bulbs after the plants have finished flowering and the leaves have started to yellow. Gently separate the smaller bulbs, known as offsets, from the mother bulb. These offsets can be replanted immediately at a depth of about 6 inches (15 centimeters) and spaced about 3 to 6 inches (7 to 15 centimeters) apart, in well-draining soil with good sunlight. They will likely flower in one to three years, depending on their size and growing conditions. This vegetative method ensures the new plants will be genetically identical to the parent plant, preserving the desirable characteristics of 'Jetfire'.
