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A recent email from a reader asked us for tips on how to care for Narcissus Tete-a-Tete.
Yes, it’s a mighty big name for such a diminutive plant. Commonly called the dwarf daffodil, Tete-a-Tete grows to only 6 inches tall, with each stem holding up to three flowers.
Like all daffodils, Tete-a-Tete is an early spring bloomer, adding color to borders, beds and containers. The cut flowers are long-lasting and bring cheer to the indoors. Best of all, caring for the Narcissus Tete-a-Tete is a snap
Watering the Narcissus Tete-a-Tete
Watering any bulb can be a delicate balance. You don’t want it to dry out but over-watering it may cause the poor little thing to rot. A general rule of thumb for the dwarf daffodil is to make sure it gets at least an inch of water every week if it hasn’t rained.
Keep up this watering schedule until three weeks after the plant stops blooming, then withhold water completely.
Fertilize the dwarf daffodil
Care for Narcissus Tete-a-Tete includes ensuring that it gets the nutrients it requires to produce those yummy blooms. Use an organic granular fertilizer (we use Dr. Earth’s Flower Girl organic fertilizer, available at Amazon.com) and scatter across the soil, three times per year:
- In the fall
- In spring, as soon as you see new growth
- When the flowers begin dying back.
If the weather is particularly dry, water the fertilizer in after the application.
Pruning the Narcissus Tete-a-Tete
Deadhead the little daffodil as often as needed during the blooming season to keep it from going to seed. If you allow spent blooms to remain, the plant puts all its energy into producing seed and takes energy from feeding the bulb.
Wait for about 6 to 8 weeks after the Tete-a-Tete finishes flowering to cut the foliage. Even though it may be ratty after blooming, turning yellow and whatnot, it’s still supplying much-needed nutrients to the bulb. So be patient, and wait those 6 to 8 weeks. Then, cut it down to 1 inch in height.
If you want to leave the daffodil bulbs in the ground, just spread a 2-inch layer of dried leaves or straw over the bed in late fall. Remove half the mulch in early spring.
Dig up the bulbs instead of mulching over them if you prefer storing them over the winter. Wash off the soil, cut off the remaining foliage and place each bulb in a mesh bag or the foot of a pair of pantyhose. Hang the bulbs in a well-ventilated dry area.
Image Courtesy: Tulipworld.com
