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northerner_on

Daffodils with offsets question

20 years ago

I have planted daffodils over the years with no problems. Today, I prepared to plant some Chromocolor in a new bed, and when I opened the package, I realized that about half of the bulbs had offsets attached to them. These are large offsets, almost the same size as the 'mother' bulb. The question is: should I break off the offsets and plant them as individual bulbs, or should I plant the bulbs with the offsets attached as they were shipped? Your help is appreciated.

Norhterner.

Comments (4)

  • 20 years ago

    I separate them & just consider them bonus bulbs. As a matter of fact, if I am buying from a box store, I LOOK for packages that have those :) I haven't taken any real note of them, but I remember one year I bought a package of 6 that every bulb had offsets. Ten out of the 12 bloomed, might have done better if I would remember to put bulb fertilizer out at planting time.

  • 20 years ago

    If you were dividing them, you would be breaking them apart. So you have given yourself a head start on dividing down the road! The smaller ones may not bloom next year, but they soon will.

    Almost all my daffodils planted this year were from a hardware store that always has good bulbs. But I bought one package from a local "expensive" nursery. The price was higher than the other store, plus higher than online, but it was a variety that was sold out everywhere else, that I really wanted. When I opened that package, 3/4s had hefty offsets! That made the $$ bulbs a bargain after all. I split off the big ones, really small ones I left attached. I had not seen the offsets through the frosty white plastic. I had picked this package among the bags by hefting them in my hand, picking the heaviest. I think I may go back there!

  • 20 years ago

    Thank you both for your advice. I have planted many bulbs but have only ever divided my lilies. So I have some bonus bulbs. I am still waiting to plant them. We have had rain relentlessly for the past 3 days, and expect more tomorrow. I don't want to plant in rain because my planting area sometimes becomes a little flodded in spring, and I don't want to risk having them rot before they put down roots. Thank you again.
    Northerner.

  • 20 years ago

    Most bulb growers do not recommend separating the noses from the mother bulb. It is not necessary and they will typically produce flowers, resulting in a showier display in spring. Most premium bulb growers will consistently produce bulbs with offsets attached, compared to the smaller, single bulbs offered by the box stores or mass discounters. FWIW, daffs can grow a good long time without requiring division - in 20 years I have never needed to divide any existing clumps. They naturalize and spread with ease and continue to flower profusely.

    I'd be more concerned about your planting location.......any area that becomes flooded for any period of time in spring is not a good location for bulbs. They need good drainage all year round.

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