Blog Post Title One

Do Your Daffodils Have Goosenecks?

Every flower variety needs to be harvested at a different stage of growth in order to ensure the longest possible vase life.

For a daffodil, we’re looking for the ‘gooseneck’ stage. A tightly closed bud pokes its head through the spathe, a papery covering that protects the bud as it is forming. To harvest, pinch the bottom of the stem in your fingers and gently pull up.

Daffodil stems are hollow, and when cut, a liquid oozes from them. This mucilage contains both a toxin and calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate skin. By pulling instead of cutting, you can avoid getting any on your hands. The toxin is also harmful to other varieties of flowers. For this reason, daffodils are considered ‘dirty flowers’, which must be left to sit in water by themselves for a few hours before being added to a mixed bouquet.

Daffodils picked at the gooseneck stage will begin to open about 24 hours later, and should last about a week in the vase.

Happy picking!