When and how to cut back daffodils?

Question

My daffidils are done blooming. When do I cut them back, and how far do I cut them down?

Answer 1

I leave my leaves open, afterall they are like solar collectors and they must be fully exposed to the sun to do their job. The more I leave the foliage open, the faster the bulb regenerates and the sooner the leaves begin to yellow and I can remove them.

Dafs are darn tough plants. You can also transplant clumps right now while they still have their leaves and roots. Just dig a clump, don't harm the bulb or too many roots and trot them to a new location.

Answer 2

You can cut off the flower stalk as soon as it finishes blooming. Let the leaves dry up before removing them. Failing to do so cuts off vital nutrients that the bulb needs to replenish itself for next years flower and growth, and may prevent them from blooming, or may cause the bulb to degrade over the course of several years until it is no longer viable.

Answer 3

I cut mine all the way down when they are finished blooming. I live in the south so that will be very soon. So far, they have come back for the last five years or so. I am not a pro though, so not sure that is the correct way. :) Happy Spring!

Answer 4

I agree with Kendra. You can plant perennials in front of spring bulbs so when the flowers die back they are hidden by the perennial. Do not cut off the leaves as this is food for next year. Sunkeeper

Answer 5

You don't want to cut down green leaves until they have turned brown, since this is when they are photosynthesizing and making sugars for next year's bloom.
Instead, divide each bulb's leaves into 3 sections...braid, loop, and tuck under toward the ground.
This will "tidy-up" your flower bed and allow the bulb to complete its cycle.
It looks pretty cool, too.

Answer 6

It is best to leave the foliage to die right down to brown leaves before cutting as the dying down of the foliage is what "feeds" the bulb to give it growth for next season. Once the foliage had died right down then trim off at ground level.

Answer 7

wait until there done blooming when they start to turn brown, cut them
until you see green, then bend them over and tie with rubber band. you will get a better crop next year. they are a verry hardy flower

Answer 8

about a week after ours are done flowering it's ussually time to mow the grass. since ours are planted in the lawn(on purpose), i just mow them down! never ever effected them in a bad way!
we're in zone 5.