Growing Daffodils for Show: A Beginner’s Journey

Today I want to take you along on a bit of an adventure – one that I never imagined I’d be embarking on, in fact, I swore I would never do… we’re going to be growing daffodils to show at a horticultural show (or you might call it an exhibition). You know, the fancy kind of show where people grow absolutely perfect blooms just to be admired. The thing is, I used to think daffodils were a bit dull and I said I’d never grow them in my garden, but oh, how wrong I was! I hope that by sharing my experience, I’ll help some of you give it a go too, and maybe even take a few blooms to your local show. You can grow along with me!

The Daffodil Dilemma

Daffodils, I used to think, were a bit boring. Growing up in Scotland, daffodils were everywhere – the same yellow blooms in parks, lining roads, you name it. Turns out, there’s a lot more to daffodils than meets the eye. There are actually a multitude of varieties, so much so that they have to be broken into divisions for judging. Each division has its own unique qualities, like different shapes or sizes, and after a bit of arm-twisting from the lovely friend Pam (who’s daffodil mad), I’m now growing my daffs for the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society’s Spring Bulb Show. Pam is a positive daffodil influencer!

Choosing Your Daffodils

The first step in growing daffodils for show is choosing which ones to grow. If you’re like me, this might seem overwhelming at first – there are so many divisions, each with its own characteristics. I learned that Division 1 daffodils have a long “nose” (that’s the bit in the middle, officially called the corona), whereas Division 4 daffodils are doubles, with ruffles galore. If you’re just starting out, try to choose a few divisions that catch your eye and keep it simple.

For my show attempt, I bought bulbs from Scamp, who are well-known for their high-quality bulbs and seem to be the supplier of a lot of the show growers, so I figured I’d copy them so I’m starting from a good point.

Growing in Pots: Why and How

One of the key differences between growing daffodils for show and growing them in the garden is the container. To grow for the show, I’m using 3-litre pots. This is the maximum size allowed for competition, and it keeps things fair. It also adds a bit of challenge, because managing the limited space and nutrients in a small pot can be tricky.

If you’re thinking about having a go yourself, here’s how I potted up my daffs:

• Compost Mix: I made a special compost mix because I’m growing some bulbs at home, where they’ll have to deal with all the Scottish rain, I want it to be nutritious, obviously, but I’m also conscious that it’s free draining.
• Planting Depth: Unlike in the garden, where I usually plant bulbs about two to three times their depth, for show purposes, I planted them much shallower. This leaves more compost around the bulbs, giving them a better shot at using the limited nutrients available. But I’m going to plunge them, which gives them the depth above.

What on Earth is “The Plunge”?

You might be wondering, “What’s this plunge thing Eli keeps mentioning?” Well, I wondered the same! It’s one of those words I kept hearing and I had no idea what folk were meaning, cause it’s not something you usually think about when you are planting bulbs in the garden. Essentially, the plunge is a large container or bed and it’s where the pots are buried (in sand or compost) in order to mimic the growing conditions in the garden BUT this way allows you much more control over the growing, because come February, I’m going to dig the pots out and start growing them on. The idea is to get those perfect, straight stems and even growth – vital for showing off those blooms at their best!

The folks at the Caley garden showed me how to do this, and I’ve made my own version at home by converting one of my raised beds. I filled it with sand and placed my pots inside, covering them with a good few inches of sand. This weight helps to keep the bulbs in place – apparently, bulbs like to move around a bit if you give them half a chance!

Timing is Everything

The plunge isn’t just about growing; it’s also about timing. The big secret to growing bulbs for show is getting them to bloom at exactly the right time. Typically, we take the pots out of the plunge around Valentine’s Day. This is when we start coaxing them into blooming for the show. Timing might depend on the weather or the variety, but the important thing is that it’s all about precision.

This part is a bit of an experiment for me, and I’m learning as I go. But that’s what makes it fun, right? We’ll be comparing the growth of the bulbs in my garden plunge to those in the more controlled Caley plunge. I’ll be interested to see which does better!

Growing Daffodils in the Garden vs. Growing for Show

For most of us, growing daffodils in the garden is pretty easy. You just plant the bulbs in autumn, let nature take its course, and enjoy the blooms in spring. Growing for show, though, is a different beast. It’s all about control – controlling the growing medium, the moisture, the temperature, and the timing.

In the garden, I plant my bulbs deeply, leave them to fend for themselves against the Scottish elements, and they reward me with beautiful flowers. When growing for show, I have to think about everything from how much compost is in the pot to how much rain the bulbs will get, how much light, temperature, everything. It’s a much more hands-on process, but it’s also very rewarding. There’s something quite thrilling about trying to grow the perfect bloom.

Are You Up for the Challenge?

So there we have it – my journey so far into the world of showing daffodils. If you’ve never thought about showing flowers before, why not give it a go? Even if you don’t end up with a prize-winning bloom, you’ll learn loads, and it’s a great way to get to know other gardeners.

If you’re interested, start by picking up a few bulbs of a variety you like, grab some 3-litre pots, and have a go. Who knows, you might end up with a daffodil worthy of a ribbon! And if you do, let me know – I’d love to hear about it.

Until next time, happy growing, and I’ll see you in the garden!