Tips on growing daffodils from Canadian Cancer Society

April is Daffodil Month – The month to support Canadians living with cancer. The daffodil symbolizes strength and courage in the fight against cancer. This year, the Canadian Cancer Society’s beloved 60 plus-year tradition of selling live daffodils has returned.

Daffodils emerging from the ground usually mark the arrival of spring. “This year’s spring thaw is taking shape but due to the particularly long and cold winter we’ve had- many bulb flowers will likely be delayed by a couple of weeks, says Loblaws’ floral and gardening expert Peter Cantley.  A great way to bring spring indoors while we wait for temperatures to rise outdoors is with Canadian Cancer Society daffodils. Each bunch retails for $4.99 and for every bunch sold $2.00 will be donated to the Society.”

Peter wants to help you bring spring indoors with tips on how to properly care for and arrange cut daffodils as well as some interesting facts about these blooms.

Daffodil tips

·     –Daffodils last longer in shallow water. Put them in a clean vase with cool water, for best results change the water every couple of days.

–The secret to keeping cut flowers looking good as long as possible is to minimize the growth of bacteria in the water and to provide nourishment to replace what the flowers would have received had they not been cut.  The best way to do this is with a floral preservative. Packets can be obtained at most stores where fresh cut flowers are sold.

–When daffodil stems are cut they emit a kind of sap that can be harmful to other flowers. Soak the cut daffodil flowers alone in water overnight and then rinse the stems before arranging them into a bouquet with other flowers.

·     –Display your flowers in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight and heating or cooling vents.

·     –Avoid placing daffodils (and other fresh flowers) near ripening fruit, which releases tiny amounts of ethylene gas that can age flowers prematurely.

Daffodil facts:

–In 2000, the Canadian Cancer Society adopted the daffodil as part of its logo as the flower has served as a symbol of cancer awareness since 1956 in Canada.

·    –According to the Daffodil Society in Great Britain, there are about 40 species of daffodil and more than 27,000 registered hybrids.

·    –The Romans, believed the sap from these flowers had special healing powers.

·    –In China, the daffodil is seen as a symbol of wealth and good fortune. The daffodil is used as a symbol of the Chinese New Year and if a daffodil blooms in your garden on New Year’s Day, your house will have good fortune for the entire year.