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What do you do with dead daffodils and tulips?

3 replies

ilikeyoursleeves · 22/05/2013 21:41

I have some in a raised bed and they are withering away or already dead. What do I do with them now? Do I dead head them or just leave them? Their green stalks are still there, do I cut these? I'm a bit clueless!

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EasterHoliday · 22/05/2013 21:43

let them wither and go brown - it means that the sugars in the leaves get to the bulbs for next year (someone will have a far better technical explanation for what happens) and don't cut them until they're brown and crispy. Tie them up with string if you want to put something else in the bed. Are you going to lift them or leave for next year?

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AMumInScotland · 22/05/2013 21:53

Cut off the flower head but leave the leaves alone to make more energy for next year. I think its best to take off the head so the plant doesn't put energy into making seeds.

Up to you it you leave the green stalk - I tend to cut the stalk right back and just leave the leaves there, but I don't think it matters.

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DewDr0p · 23/05/2013 12:28

Agree, remove the flower head (including the bit where the seed is developing) and leave the leaves - this will allow the leaves to feed up the bulb for next year.

Tulips are often disappointing the second year though ime, whereas daffs seem to go from strength to strength!

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