Relocating Daffodils

Mooresville, NC(Zone 7b)

I had the opportunity to dig up some Daffodils from a yard that will soon be leveled for construction. I dug them up in really big clumps, put them in plastic grocery bags and watered them. This has been about three days ago and I've kept them moist.
What should I do now if I'm not wanting to plant them right away? I'll be moving soon and want to bring the bulbs with me. Do I knock off all the dirt...cut back all the stems....let the bulbs dry out???? I'm just not sure what the proper way to do this is.......
Thanks for the help!
Ping

(Zone 8b)

Don't cut of the stems or the leaves - let them die back naturally. once they are dead you can remove them, but the bulbs need to draw back the goodness if they are going to thrive next year. Just put them somewhere to dry out - hanging them in a net in a shed is good. It lets the air circulate and stops fungi - and mice - reeking havoc.

HTH

Mooresville, NC(Zone 7b)

Thanks Okus!
But one more thing....should I break up the huge clumps? There's a lot of soil....aka: heavy

(Zone 8b)

Yes thats fine they won't need the soil once the growing is done so the can just die back and dry out as bulbs - thats how the growers do it.

Mooresville, NC(Zone 7b)

Awesome! Thank you!
I just thought of something else too....when I was digging up the daffodils, there were the remains of the blooms on a few of them....but also, there were a few that had a little 'bulb' like thing. I opened one and there were these perfectly round, little black 'seeds'? Is that what they are?

(Zone 8b)

Yes they are seeds - but if you want the bulbs to be worth while next year you should remove the seed heads. If the seeds are ripe they will grow - but they will take a few years to get to flowereing size.

Mooresville, NC(Zone 7b)

How do I know if the seeds are ripe? I saved them in a baggie but is it more trouble than it's worth to save the seeds to plant later....? I think I'm trying to say should I just keep the bulbs and not worry with the seeds?

How about iris'? This yard has tons of iris' and I've dug up quite a few already. My intent was to sell some of the iris'. Should I replant them in a pot to sell them? Is that the best way to sel them? If so, how many to a pot?

I'm also having to move from my little slice of heaven, here in North Carolina. :( (by May 31st)
I want to take some of my iris' with me. What's the best way to do that?

Thanks for all of your help, okus. I really do appreciate it.
Ping

(Zone 8b)

Iris are growing right now, they need to be in soil, so yes pot them up one to a pot unless the pots are large if you are talking bearded iris. Try to disturb the roots as little as possible at this time of year. If you are talking about iris reticulata or dutch iris, the ones that are bulbs then several to a pot is fine.

I would think the daffodil seed is unlikely to have been ripe yet. If you plant it it will take several years to get to flowering size. The bulbs will divide themselves and increase that way once they get settled in their new home.

Good luck with the move!

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
BACK TO TOP