Why You Need to Remove Daffodil Sap
As British grown daffodils are sliding into the shops at the moment, this blog is all about top tips for arranging daffodils with other flowers.
You might be wondering why daffodils would need any extra attention or a brighter spotlight than the other Spring flowers like ranunculus and tulips. Daffodils (and other narcissi) stand out from their seasonal flower neighbours because they release a sap into the water that leaks out and can harm other flowers in the same vase.
They wreak havoc by having sappy stems that reduce the cut flower life of other flowers sharing the same vase water, like tulips and roses.
But this doesn't need to be as sinister as it sounds! Here are a couple of ways you can control your daffodils...
1. The easiest way to keep your daffodils and narcissi from causing trouble is to put them in separate vases from any other flower varieties. They're intricate flowers that look really cute on their own and you can spread them out across a shelf or table in little bottles for beautiful impact. Growing your own in the garden or in a window-box, as well as choosing to buy unusual or different varieties will create so much more interest in your vase arrangements. Daffodils and narcissi grow in different shades of orange, apricot, mustard yellow, cream and white.
Some varieties to look out for in particular are:
the all yellow narcissus ‘spellbinder’
a little white flower with a dark orange central trumpet called narcissus ‘pheasants eye‘
narcissus ‘blushing lady’ is a beautifully faded retro looking daffodil with pale yellow petals and an apricot centre
and naricssus ‘charming lady’ looks like the inside of a cream egg… but daffodils are not edible!
2. If you really want to mix your daffodils and other Spring flowers, here’s how:
Cut your daffodil stems at different heights because you won’t be cutting them again, and place them straight into a vase of fresh water on their own.
Wait 15 minutes and then pour this daffodil vase water away. Refill the vase with fresh water and place the daffodil stems in until you’re ready to start flower arranging with them. Remember not to cut them again because this will release more sap.
This process will help remove a lot of the sap from the stems and you can now mix your daffodils through with your other flowers in a vase.
When you’re arranging flowers, always wash your hands afterwards because plant material can be toxic, and keep flowers out of reach of children and pets too.
Enjoy arranging your daffodils and narcissi knowing that you’re helping out the other flowers in the vase too. To help your Spring flowers lasting even longer keep them away from draughts, heating, fruit bowls and direct sunlight.
