When to Dig and Replant Jonquil Bulbs

Bulb Propagation

• Like all members of the narcissus family, jonquil bulbs reproduce themselves. The new bulbs, called bulbils, form on the main, or mother, bulb. Once the bulbils become large enough, they break from the mother bulb and begin sending up their own stems and leaves. The bulbs reproduce themselves yearly, so a jonquil bed can become overcrowded in as little as three years, necessitating division. Crowded bulbs don't have access to all the water, nutrients and sunlight they require for healthy growth and blooming. The over-competition results in weaker bulbs and less flowers if they aren't divided promptly.

When to Divide

• Jonquil bulbs go dormant during the summer months. Digging them at this time is preferred since the bulbs are less likely to suffer damage. Wait until after all the foliage dies off naturally, which occurs approximately six weeks after the last flower fades. Late spring or early summer provides the best time for digging but, if you have marked the location of the bulbs, you can wait to dig them up until the early fall, about six to eight weeks before the first expected frost.

Digging and Division

• It's vital to loosen the soil around the bulbs carefully to avoid damage to the jonquil bulbs. Use a small trowel or garden fork to loosen the soil around the bulbs so that you can lift them out carefully by hand. Rinse any soil from the bulbs before inspecting them. Bulbs that have soft spots or show diseases symptoms require immediate disposal. Save only healthy bulbs. Break any bulbils free from the mother bulbs. These may not flower the first year after replanting but typically begin blooming within two years. If you are waiting until fall to replant, store the bulbs in a cool, dry area.

Replanting

• Divided jonquil bulbs require well-drained, rich soil. The plants only need full sunlight during the spring growing period, so locations that only receive seasonal shade in summer are sometimes suitable for the spring bed. Add a bulb fertilizer, at the manufacturer's recommended rate, prior to replanting. Jonquil bulbs are typically smaller than daffodil bulbs so they don't require as much garden space. Sow them in clusters of five to seven bulbs, spacing the bulbs 3 inches apart in the cluster and the clusters 10 inches apart. Plant jonquil bulbs no deeper than 2 inches. After planting, water the bed well and place a layer of mulch over the area. The bulbs will send up foliage the following spring.