I'm in zone 9a, where winter temperatures can dip into the 20s, but it's usually mild with not much snow. My soil is very alkaline and consists of rocky decomposed granite that drains well, typical of a desert environment. We get about 6 to 8 inches of rain a year, mostly during winter and spring. During fall and spring, temperatures stay in the comfortable 60s or 70s, but summer can be brutal, often hitting over 100°F, which generally doesn't affect my spring bulbs since they're dormant by then. I've been growing daffodils for a few years, and while they come back each year, they're getting smaller and fewer in number with tiny flowers compared to previous years. What can I do to encourage them to spread and produce larger, more abundant blooms? Should I increase fertilization or try to amend the soil? They're kept dry during summer, so I don't think rot is an issue. I was really hoping they'd start naturalizing by now!
1 Answer
It sounds like your soil could be a factor, especially with that decomposed granite. It reminds me of conditions in Texas, which is where I live too. If you can share a picture, I might be able to suggest if your soil needs some adjustments!
Here's a pic of the soil where they are right now! It's mostly decomposed granite with some volcanic rocks mixed in. What do you think?