Overview:
Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. is a perennial herbaceous plant, a member of the family Amaryllidaceae. It is a beautiful ornamental plant, which is grown primarily for its showy, fragrant, and trumpet-shaped flowers. Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. is native to southern Europe, in particular to the Iberian Peninsula, and was first described by Dutch botanist Cornelis Eliza Bertus Bremekamp in 1947. The genus Narcissus has many cultivars and species, and some are known as daffodils or jonquils.
Appearance:
Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. has a bulbous root, which can reach up to 8 cm in diameter. The plant produces narrow, strap-like leaves, which can grow up to 40 cm long. The flowers are borne on a tall, leafless stem, which can grow up to 45 cm in height. The flowers are composed of six white petals, which are arranged around a trumpet-shaped corona or cup, which is deep yellow to golden in color. The flowers can measure up to 5 cm across and are highly fragrant.
Common Names:
Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. has several common names, including the Spanish daffodil, the hoop petticoat daffodil, the petticoat daffodil, and the pheasant's eye daffodil. In Spain, the plant is known as "Narciso de las lagunas" or "Narciso de Barrio".
Uses:
Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. is primarily grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, parks, and along roadsides. The flowers are widely used in floral arrangements, and the plant attracts pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. However, it is essential to note that all parts of the plant, including the bulbs, contain toxic alkaloids, which can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms if ingested.
Light Requirements
Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. requires full sunlight to partial shade for optimal growth. They thrive well in areas where they receive direct sunlight for at least six hours a day. However, in hotter regions, they prefer partial shade to protect them from scorching sun rays.
Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature range for Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. is between 13°C and 24°C. They prefer cooler temperatures during their growth phase and warmer temperatures during their flowering phase. The plant can withstand minor temperature fluctuations, but anything beyond 30°C can damage the plant, especially if the soil is dry.
Soil Requirements
The plant prefers well-drained, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. is not tolerant to waterlogged soil, which can cause root rot. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0, which is slightly acidic to neutral. If the soil is too acidic, add lime to increase the pH or sulfur to lower it if it's too alkaline.
Cultivation Methods of Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p.
Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. is a bulbous perennial plant that requires full to partial sunlight to grow. It prefers a well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH level ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. The bulbs should be planted during the fall season, 4-6 inches deep and 3-4 inches apart. It is important to ensure that the soil is moist but not waterlogged, as this can lead to bulb rot.
Watering Needs of Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p.
Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. requires moderate watering needs. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, the plant should be watered once or twice a week, depending on the weather and humidity levels. It is important to water the plant deeply, so the water reaches the root system.
Fertilization of Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p.
Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. requires little fertilization. Fertilizer should be applied during the growing season, in spring and fall. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 can be used. It is important not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth and fewer blooms.
Pruning of Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p.
Pruning of Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. is minimal. The spent flowers should be removed to prevent seed production and conserve energy for the bulb. After the flowers have faded, the stalks should be cut back to the base of the plant. The leaves should be allowed to die back naturally, as they provide nutrients to the bulb for next year's growth. Do not remove the leaves until they have turned yellow or brown.
Propagation of Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p.
Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p., commonly known as the hoop petticoat daffodil, can be propagated through different methods, including bulb division, seed sowing, and tissue culture.
Bulb division
The easiest and the most common method to propagate Narcissus barrii is by bulb division. It involves separating the bulbs into smaller sections, each with a basal plate or bottom, roots, and a small section of the bulb. The ideal time to divide the bulbs is after they have finished flowering and the foliage has died back. This generally occurs in late spring or early summer. Once the bulbs are divided, they can be immediately planted at a depth of two to three times their diameter.
Seed sowing
Another method for propagating Narcissus barrii is through seeds. It can be a slower and more challenging process, and it can take several years to grow the bulbs to flowering size. The seeds need to be collected after flowering and allowed to dry out for a few weeks. Once the seed pods have dried, the seeds can be sown in a well-draining potting mix and kept in a cool and moist environment. They will generally germinate in a few weeks and can be transplanted into individual pots or containers.
Tissue culture
Tissue culture is a propagation method used to produce large numbers of identical plants from a small piece of plant tissue. It is a more advanced and expensive propagation technique and is typically used for commercial propagation of rare or threatened plant species. Tissue culture involves taking a small piece of plant tissue, such as a leaf or stem, and propagating it in a nutrient-rich, sterile laboratory environment. Once the tissue has grown into a small plantlet, it can be transplanted into potting mix and grown to maturity.
Disease Management
Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. is susceptible to various diseases, such as basal rot, narcissus fly, and yellow stripe virus.
Basal rot is a fungal disease that affects the bottom of the bulb and can cause the plant to die. To manage basal rot, it is important to plant healthy bulbs in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering or overcrowding. Infected bulbs should be removed and destroyed immediately. Applying fungicides can also help prevent the spread of the disease.
Narcissus fly is a pest that can damage the bulbs and cause stunted growth. To manage narcissus fly, bulbs can be soaked in insecticides before planting. Planting bulbs in raised beds, using insecticidal dust or spray, and practicing crop rotation can also help prevent infestations.
Yellow stripe virus is a viral disease that causes infected plants to have yellow stripes on their leaves and eventually die. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease, and infected plants should be removed and destroyed to prevent the virus from spreading to other plants.
Pest Management
In addition to narcissus fly, other pests that can affect Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p. include slugs, snails, and thrips.
Slugs and snails can cause damage to the leaves and flowers of the plant. To manage these pests, it is important to keep the garden area free of leaves and other debris where they can hide. Copper rings or barriers around the bulbs can also be effective in deterring slugs and snails.
Thrips are tiny insects that feed on the leaves and flowers of the plant and can cause them to turn brown and die. To manage thrips, it is important to keep the garden area free of weeds and other debris where they can hide. Insecticidal soaps or oils can also be effective in controlling thrips.
Overall, proper garden sanitation and regular inspection for signs of pests and diseases can help manage the health of Narcissus barrii hort. ex Brub. p.p.
