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Daffodils.

GraysGrays Posts: 172
in Plants
Hi all,
Often hear different opinions on what to do with daffodils once the flowers look spent.
Is it best to just leave them? Or best to pinch the flowers off?
What is best to do with the green foliage that is left (can look messy) cut it back or leave it be? 
Cheers.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Just remove the remains of the flower and the seed pod.
    Leave the flower stem and all the leaves so they can provide energy for the flowers next year.
    Once the leaves have shriveled and turned brown you can remove them.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited April 2023
    The RHS recommend that after flowering the leaves are left for 6 weeks.
    See below
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/problems/daffodil-blindness

    Quote RHS..
    "Flowers should be removed or pinched off (deadheaded) as they fade
    Avoid tidying up the foliage by tying the leaves into a knot; leave them to die down naturally.
    After flowering, leave a period of at least six weeks before leaves are removed or mown.
    In dry conditions after flowering, water thoroughly until the foliage shows signs of dying down naturally "
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • D0rdogne_DamselD0rdogne_Damsel Posts: 4,184
    I love the sight of cheery spring daffodils, but do get fed up with waiting for the leaves to die back for so long. I think a good solution is to plant them in pots that can then be moved out of sight after flowering is finished. 
    • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Do as @Pete.8 describes and leave the foliage, although you can remove the flower stem if you want. A feed or two as they die back can be helpful too, depending where they are.
    Certainly, potted ones need more attention as they don't have the same access to nutrients, so it helps to replace some of the soil/compost later on too  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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