My daffodils did not produce blooms...

[MrsJones]

I was so looking forward to seeing my daffodils bloom this year but all I got were some sickly looking leaves and no blooms. This is the first year that it has happened and I'm wondering if it is because of the extended cold and every changing weather here in Ohio this Spring.

What do I do with the leaves now? I'm tempted to cut them back.

 

[Everbrown]

I would not cut the leaves, only chance there will be to get som sun growth. Were these just planted last fall, or have they been around for a while?

 

[MrsJones]

I planted the bulbs two years ago.

 

[Sheal]

It could be that the bulbs were damaged by frost. Let the leaves die back naturally but give them some fertiliser now, it will give the bulbs a boost for next spring.

 

[DeborahJane]

Hi Mrs. Jones. Sheal is right. I know it's hard to leave the daffodils when they don't look nice but it is best for next years growth. I have to contain myself once the flowering is over as they look so awful.

 

[Sheal]

I have to contain myself once the flowering is over as they look so awful.

You are so right DeborahJane! I have 400 daffodils in my lawn that have just finished flowering but it'll be a good few weeks before I can clear the leaves away.

 

[DeborahJane]

Hide your secateurs!!!

 

[IcyBC]

I have a total different experience with my daffodils. For two years one of the daffodil bunches didn't flowers so I cut down all the leaves when I saw the other daffodil flowers have come and gone, and to my surprise, they flowered this year.

 

[Sheal]

Hide your secateurs

No, no, that's to much like hard work, I use a strimmer!

Sometimes it can be luck IcyBC. Daffodils need to die back naturally because in the process they take up nutrients from the soil for the following flowering season. The dead flowers and seed heads should also be removed if possible because it's the plants natural instinct to carry on until the seeds are shed draining themselves of nutrients.

 

[Greenhorn]

I no bulb expert but recently I did learn a few things.

Bulbs like a different ratio N-P-K at different stages. One is for near and active blooming and one is for late post blooming. The pre helps with the buds and blooms and the post helps the plant to store food and be ready for spring.

Leave the fading foliage (not flowers or buds) until it ready to fall off as it does feed and protect up until the end. If you don't like the shaggy look I heard some people bundle or even braid it into a decorative look.

If a plant (in the ground) does get frost damage, leave the damage on as will provide a modest level of protection against any additional frost.

 

[peachdejour]

My mom has a ton of different daffodils and they just stopped blooming too. We got a late frost and some of her newer bulbs did suffer. She will wait and clear the leaves late and fertilize everything before winter. They will come back stronger next year. We had snow right after I planted all my flowers. I am just now seeing the seedlings come up. Seems like a rough year for new flowers.

 

[MrsJones]

Thi is good info for future reference since I am fairly new at gardening. I like the braiding suggestion. The leaves just look so bad it's annoying.

 

[Sheal]

The problem with braiding or tying is that it restricts daffodils from taking up nutrients and can cause them to grow blind the following season.

 

[MrsJones]

These are all helpful suggestions. I didn't do anything to them and the leaves are beginning to die off. My first year with daffodils.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Even if it is just two years ago, if they were planted too close to each other that could do it. You can lift them in the green and re-plant them further apart from each other. But leave the green on. Or just do what others say above.