Kitchen Garden Forum

Last spring my wife planted, in large pots, daffodils of the King Alfred variety. She was disappointed to find that most of them came up 'blind' ie leaves, no flowers.
She's now getting round to replanting the pots, but should she use the old bulbs (which look healthy and are starting to sprout) or chuck them and get new ones?
John N.

Hi John

How many bulbs were in the pot, were they really crowded? I've had daffodils come up blind in the garden, but it's been because they'd multiplied and were over crowded. I dug them up, spaced them out and they were fine.

Of course it may be something else completely

I think they can also be blind because they're not planted deeply enough

Probably if she plants the bulbs further apart and slightly deeper than last year they will bloom next Spring. I've occasionally had daffodil bulbs go blind but generally this is because they've been planted in deep shade, never getting any sun. Providing these bulbs get plenty of light she might be lucky next time.

Yes we have this proble. Usually from bulblets meaning caramped conditions. I dig the blind ones out and plant in a trench at the side of the garden well spaced out. Add compost. And wait.

And when they flower after 1-2 years, replant in borders.