Planting daffodils bulbs in hot weather

[Pindar]

Hello,

If I were to purchase daffodil bulbs in April and give them away as gifts, how should I instruct people to take care of the bulbs? Should they plant them immediately? Should they hang onto the bulbs and plant them in November? The climate is in central valley california, where the summers reach 110 F on hot days and the winters can drop to about 30 F at nights

 

[Marck]

Greetings, welcome to the Forums.

Daffodils (Narcissus spp. and hybrids) are best planted in Autumn, but if you've been given bulbs in Spring, either dormant or sprouting, just plant them in a sunny , well-drained spot as you would anyway. This is much better than further stressing the bulbs by leaving them unplanted for another four to six months. Depending on how stressed the bulbs are, you may get flowers the following Spring or only leaves, but eventually the bulbs will fully recover and bloom for you as normal. Your temperature extremes are within the tolerances of most Narcissus, which are among the most resilient of plants.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

In some years I have planted daffodil bulbs in August. They grow and flower nicely.

 

[Steve @ Celtic Farm]

In Central Valley California, where summers are hot and winters can be quite cool, the timing and care for daffodil bulbs is important. Here's how you should instruct people on caring for the daffodil bulbs if you give them as gifts in April:

Storing Until Fall - Since April is late in the season for planting daffodils, it's best to store the bulbs until fall. They should be planted a few weeks before the ground freezes, typically in late October to November in your region.

Proper Storage - Advise them to keep the bulbs in a cool, dry place over the summer, like a garage or basement that doesn't get too warm. The bulbs should be in a breathable container, such as a net bag or a ventilated box, to prevent mold and rot.

Planting in Fall - When fall arrives, choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil for planting. Daffodils should be planted about 6 inches deep and 3 to 6 inches apart.

Watering After Planting - After planting, they'll need a good watering. Once established, daffodils generally require little water until spring growth begins.

Winter Care - In Central Valley California, daffodil bulbs will usually be fine over the winter once planted. The cool temperatures help them break dormancy and bloom in spring.

Expect Spring Blooms - If planted in the fall, the bulbs will bloom the following spring and continue to do so annually with minimal care.

By following these instructions, the daffodil bulbs should thrive and produce beautiful blooms in the spring.

 

[cpp gardener]

Tell the recipients to plant them immediately. They WILL NOT survive through the summer. They will bloom, although maybe not as big or profusely.