Daffodil Narcissus 'Notre Dame' (2)

Water

Daffodils require consistent moisture during the growing season. Water them thoroughly once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time, which equates to approximately 0.6 gallons per square yard. Avoid overwatering, as standing water can lead to bulb rot. It’s vital to reduce watering once the flowers have faded and foliage is yellowing, typically in late spring or early summer, signaling the end of their active growth period. During this dormancy period, let the soil dry out before watering lightly every few weeks if conditions are extremely dry.

Light

Daffodils thrive in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. The ideal location is where they can bask in at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. A spot that provides morning sunlight and afternoon shade is beneficial, particularly in warmer regions where intense afternoon sun may prove too harsh for the blooms.

Temperature

Daffodils are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. They can survive winter cold down to 15°F and during their growth period, they prefer a temperature range of 50°F to 70°F. The ideal growing conditions include cool to moderate spring temperatures that allow their flowers to last longer.

Pruning

Pruning daffodils involves deadheading the spent flowers to maintain plant vigor and aesthetics, while leaving the foliage intact until it turns yellow and dies back naturally. This pruning, usually done once blooming has ceased, redirects energy to the bulb for the following season. Cutting back the foliage should be done only after it has yellowed, typically about six weeks after flowering.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Daffodils like well-draining soil mixed with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. They thrive in a soil pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. A combination of two parts loam, one part sand or perlite, and one part organic matter creates an ideal soil mix for Narcissus 'Notre Dame'.

Repotting

Daffodils, including the Narcissus 'Notre Dame', typically do not require frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years. They should be repotted if the bulbs become overcrowded or if the soil has degraded. This might be every 3 to 5 years.

Humidity & Misting

Daffodils prefer outdoor conditions with average humidity and do not require high humidity levels. They are fairly adaptable but will not tolerate excessively wet or soggy conditions, which can cause bulb rot.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and keep in cool spot.

• Outdoor

  Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny to partly shaded area.

• Hardiness zone

  3-9 USDA

Life cycle

Narcissus 'Notre Dame', commonly known as Daffodil 'Notre Dame', starts its life cycle as a bulb planted in the fall before the first frost. In spring, its growth stage begins with the emergence of green shoots from the bulb, followed by leaves and then the characteristic flowers, which are usually bright yellow with a central trumpet-shaped corona. After flowering, the daffodil enters the senescence phase where the flowers wilt and the plant begins to die back, redirecting energy back to the bulb for the next season. The foliage turns yellow and then brown, at which point it can be cut back. During the dormant stage in the summer, the bulb rests underground until it is triggered by the cooling temperatures of autumn to start developing new buds in preparation for the next growth cycle. This dormancy period is crucial for the survival and health of the bulb, allowing it to conserve resources for the next year's growth and flowering.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The Narcissus 'Notre Dame', commonly known as the Daffodil, is typically propagated through division, which is a popular and simple method for multiplying these spring-flowering bulbs. Division is best carried out in late summer to early fall, after the daffodil foliage has died back and the plant is dormant. Gardeners should carefully dig up the bulbs and gently separate them by hand, taking care not to damage the basal plate from which roots grow. Each division should have at least one growing point or eye, which will form next year's plant. After separating, the bulbs can be replanted immediately at a depth of about 6 inches (15 centimeters) to ensure adequate protection and space to grow. This vegetative approach is preferred because it maintains the genetic integrity and characteristics of the 'Notre Dame' variety.