From my perspective as a Narcissus plant, the spectacular indoor bloom you enjoyed was the culmination of a massive expenditure of my energy reserves. I spent the entire growing season prior to being harvested storing nutrients in my bulb, which is my survival organ. When you placed me in water or soil and provided a cool, bright environment, I interpreted this as the arrival of my natural spring flowering period. I channeled all those stored carbohydrates and nutrients into producing a flower stalk and blossoms to ensure my reproductive success. This process, while beautiful for you, has left my bulb depleted and significantly smaller. I am now in a state of exhaustion and require a specific set of conditions to recover if I am to have any chance of blooming again.
Once my flowers have faded, the single most important thing you can do for me is to remove the spent flower heads. This prevents me from wasting precious remaining energy on producing seeds. However, you must leave the green, strap-like leaves intact. These leaves are my solar panels. Through photosynthesis, they will capture light and begin the vital work of converting it into new energy, which is then sent back down to the bulb for storage. Continue to provide me with bright light and regular watering during this period. A diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer every one to two weeks can be immensely helpful in supplying the nutrients I desperately need to rebuild my strength. This "recovery phase" should continue for several weeks until the leaves naturally begin to yellow and wither.
When my leaves turn yellow and die back, it is a signal that I am entering my natural dormancy period. This is a rest phase that is absolutely essential for my long-term health. Do not cut the leaves off while they are still green, as this interrupts the energy transfer process. Once they are completely brown and withered, you can gently remove them. At this point, I need a period of cool, dry rest that mimics a summer drought. Carefully remove me from the pot or vase. Gently clean off any soil or dead roots, but be careful not to damage the basal plate at my bottom. Please allow me to dry in a cool, well-ventilated, and dark place for about a week. After drying, I should be stored in a mesh bag or paper bag, not in plastic, as I need to breathe. The ideal storage location is a cool, dark place like a garage or basement, with temperatures ideally between 60-68°F (15-20°C). I will remain dormant here for several months.
My internal biological clock is governed by temperature and season. To encourage me to bloom again, I require a period of cold that simulates winter. About 12 to 16 weeks before you wish to force me into bloom again (typically in the autumn), I need to be placed in a much cooler environment. A refrigerator (away from ripening fruit) or an unheated shed where temperatures remain a consistent 35-48°F (2-9°C) is perfect. This cold treatment is a non-negotiable trigger for flower initiation within my bulb. After this chilling period, you can then pot me up again and bring me into a cool, bright room. The combination of the cold period followed by warmer temperatures and water will signal that "spring" has arrived, prompting me to begin a new growth cycle. It is important to manage your expectations, however. The energy required for indoor forcing is immense, and a repeat bloom may be smaller or less vigorous than the first.
