DIVIDING DAFFODILS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 365, 5 March 1932, Page 23 (Supplement)

DIVIDING DAFFODILS.

When lifting daffodil bulbs, it will often be found that the bulb has two or more growing points and is composed of two or three bulbs bound together by brown sheathing scales. Some varieties naturally break apart and rarely are double-nosed bulbs seen. Other varieties :will have the “mother” bulb with four

or more offsets attached. It is often a difficulty with the uninitiated to know whether to break these apart or not. If the bulbs are only attached by the base, and no sheathing scales are round them, they can be broken apart, but if the offsets are small and thin and firmly bound to the “mother” bulb, it is best to leave them, and let Nature do the dividing. In fact, in all cases it is best to leave it to the natural process, rather than to force and perhaps damage a good offset. The illustration shows what is meant. A and B” should not be divided, but planted whole. C can be divided, and if the base is very firm, as it sometimes is, run a knife along the line between the bulbs. This ensures that each bulb gets its correct share of the base, a very vital part of the bulb.