The flower of Narcissus it owes its name to the Greek word "narke" which means paralysis or stupor. Although the flower is popularly associated or attributed to its name by the narcotic fragrance that emits or by its poisonous nature due to its bulbs.
The flowers are commonly yellow or white in many cases, characterized by its narrow tubular base, it has three petals and three sepals and a central cup-shaped appendage that can be of a color that contrasts with the rest of the flower.
From
El Narcissus It is native to Mediterranean regions and some can be found in Asian areas such as China. The flowers found in America were brought from Europe by the colonizers, in addition to other places, such as from Sicily, Brittany and Holland, places where it is grown in large quantities.
Narcissus varieties
Its family includes dozens of hybrid species in forms and varieties, the most common flower being the white Narcissus. Some varieties have dark colors, others are round and have spike-shaped clusters, some have more fragrances than others and some flower earlier than others.
Among the most common varieties of Narcissus can include:
Narcissus pseudonarcissus
El Narcissus pseudonarcissus It is a European flower that has bright stripes that color forests and grasslands, welcoming spring. Although the flower is popularly known as the Easter lily, it is actually a member of the family Maryllidaceae, therefore, it is not considered a lily.
narcissus triandrus
El narcissus triandrus it's a wild flower popularly known as Angel Tears, because they are usually inclined at the top. This flower can be seen in the forests and pastures of Spain and Portugal.
The flower is creamy white in color that reaches yellow tints with its curved petals and a small, rounded crown. Flowers are born in mid spring, being one of the most fragrant. Its name comes from the story of a beautiful young woman who was so fascinated by her image reflected in a lake, that she moved away from the gods and as punishment they turned her into a flower.
narcissus bulbocodium
This third variety called narcissus bulbocodium it has yellow trumpet-shaped petals, they are large and bold with some slender star-shaped petals. It is popularly known as "golden bells”And is perfect for displays in spring, they are one of the varieties that most withstand the weather and spectacular flower arrangements can be made with them.
Farming
The bulbs of the Narcissus are very easy to grow, since require little maintenance and with minimal care you can get them to multiply quickly, making for a beautiful visual show every year.
They are not usually demanding with the soil, since la flower can occur anywhere, although well-drained soils, surrounded by shadows and with little predominant sunlight, are preferable. You must bear in mind that each Narcissus has or requires different care, depending on the class to which they belong.
The plantings of bulbs should be carried out from August to November, at a slight depth and in pots or containers specially adapted for their reproduction. In gardens, it is best to plant them a little deep, perhaps, about 15cm.
When you notice that the color of the flower has faded, it is better to eliminate them because it can cause problems for the other petals that are still in formation. After you have removed the foliage, you should keep it, as has important nutrients that you will use for future generations. You can leave some petals on the ground where they lie, so that they take advantage of the nutrients they have during that period.
The flowering time depends on the type of soil we have in our garden and especially on the species, being able to bloom the Daffodils from February to May. However also there are some wild species that bloom in the fall or winter. A tip for propagation is split the clumps together during the summer to later distribute them in the garden, in this way the soil will be nourished through the decomposition of the flower.
Care
Like most hardy plants, very little water per week is enough for the daffodil while your flowers are thriving. Draining the soil is important for a better propagation together with the nutrients from the removed bulbs; with this you can make the soil right for your next generation of plants. Most organic fertilizers can be added directly into the hole of the planting because they are very docile and cannot burn the plant.
Once the flowers are born, it is better to keep it away from sunlight and place it in a cold area. This will prolong the flowering period. You can find the Narcissus flowers in different shades of orange, yellow and white. The flower has a history of purity, giving rise to meanings through their color and physical characteristics.
A flower for every occasion
- Encourage a friend or family member after a loss.
- Remember that spring is on its way.
- Raise your spirits in recovering from a depressive illness.
- Graduations, a promotion at work, due to its association with obtaining wealth.
- Baby births.
Symbolism
The flower of Narcissus It has some negative aspects due to the origin of its name with narcissism. Despite that, this flower is ideal to remind someone that there is always an occasion and opportunity for things to improve. The flower means regeneration and transformation. Victorians considered it a selfish flower, while Asians use it to embody future prosperity and fortune.
Pests
A typical plague it's the daffodil fly which is a wild fly. It lays its eggs on the plant, the larvae migrate to the ground and then eat the entire bulb and the entire plant. The only way to end these is to pour the larvae over very hot water. Then there are also field mice. These love daffodil bulbs, which is why sometimes these little animals they can become a whole plague.