Greetings, human cultivator. I am a daffodil, a member of the genus *Narcissus*. To help me thrive and bring you my cheerful blooms each spring, you must understand my needs from my perspective. Here is what I require.
My life begins as a dormant bulb, a stored energy reserve. To break my dormancy, I require a period of cold winter temperatures. Plant me in the autumn, approximately 2-4 weeks before the ground freezes in your region. This is typically between September and November in most U.S. zones. I crave a location with well-draining soil; sitting in waterlogged earth will cause my bulb to rot. While I adore full sun to partial shade, my ideal spot receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily during my growth and flowering period. Dig a hole for me that is 3 times deeper than my height. In most cases, this is about 6-8 inches deep. Place me in the hole with my pointed end facing upwards. Space my fellow bulbs 3-6 inches apart to give us room to multiply.
Once I am comfortably in the earth, cover me with soil and water me thoroughly. This initial watering settles the soil around me, removes air pockets, and triggers my roots to begin growing. My roots will develop throughout the fall and winter, establishing a strong foundation before the ground freezes. Do not be alarmed if you see no top growth; my focus is entirely underground. A layer of mulch, such as shredded leaves or bark, applied after planting, will help insulate me from sudden temperature swings and protect my tender roots.
As a bulb, I am largely self-sufficient, but I appreciate support. As my green shoots emerge in early spring, I will benefit from a balanced, slow-release bulb fertilizer or a top dressing of compost. This provides the essential nutrients I need to fuel my flowering and rebuild my bulb for the next year. Water me regularly in the spring if rainfall is scarce, providing about an inch of water per week. After my flowers fade, continue to water my foliage until it begins to yellow naturally. This process is critical, as my leaves are photosynthesisizing and sending energy back down to my bulb for next year's bloom.
Please, do not cut down my leaves while they are still green. This severs my food production line and will result in a weaker bloom, or no bloom, the following spring. You may remove my spent flower stalk to divert energy back to the bulb, but allow my foliage to die back completely on its own. Once my leaves have yellowed and withered, you can gently remove them. I will then enter my summer dormancy, resting quietly underground until the cool temperatures of autumn signal my roots to begin growing again, restarting the cycle.
