Stealing Daffodils

I've always gotten a lot of my gardens from roadside flowers and abandoned gardens. In fact, I've done it for so long, it sort of is a habit now and I can't stop. :) So, tell me, if I steal the daffodils that are coming up at the abandoned house across the street, will they transplant and bloom all right now? Or should I dig them up AFTER they bloom? I want to get them before someone torches the wreck and burns down all the good stuff left there -- including a nice peony bed.

Daffodils/Narcissus/Jonquil bulbs are generally dug, separated, and replanted immediately after they have died down completely; or, they can be dried in the sun a few hours, stored in a cool dry place, and replanted in the fall.

Hey Scot,
I have moved/rescued them a lot of times in full bloom. Take the whole clump and move it with the soil during a cloudy cool spell. Later on, after the foliage has died down, divide and replant the biggest bulbs if they are crowded. If the soil falls apart when you dig them (mine doesn't cause it's clay) you can pick the flowers for a bouquet and go ahead and divide the bulbs now.
Even the peonies can be moved if you can get the whole big soil ball out and put it on a tarp and drag it over to your place. Otherwise they are best moved in early fall.
I know what you mean about someone ruining the place....there were several places around my area that were bulldozed off, flowers and all! Sickening.
Best of luck,
Toxi

Scot,

First we must establish that you are not stealing them,
you are 'relocating' them. ;-)

I'm right there with you on the abandoned homes. I will often
ask the neighbors about the owners just so I might get lucky
and find them, but most of the time the neighbors report the
owners died years ago, or the property is going to be a parking
lot, etc. They often tell me to get all I want before it is gone, and
often when I ask if I can drop some off for them, they say "No, but
you have fun."

LOL.

And that is exactly where I got many of my Iris, Daffodils, Surprise Lilies
and so much more. I even relocated numerous Dr. Huey roses (no doubt
the graft died, leaving the good old doctor behind), bazillions of Spirea cuttings,
Forsythia cuttings and much more. I'm not done yet, either, but I see the house
being mowed down soon, so I have to get it while I can. Shame they plan to just
bulldoze it all.

Karen Marie

Thanks, everyone, for the replies. I am glad to see I'm not alone in steali... er... RELOCATING .... flowers.

I love plants with a history. :D