Fertilising guide

How to fertilise Tenby Daffodil (Narcissus obvallaris)— schedule & NPK

Also called Tenby Daffodil, St David's Daffodil.

More about tenby daffodil

About Tenby Daffodil

Narcissus obvallaris · also called Tenby Daffodil, St David's Daffodil · flowering

The Tenby Daffodil is a compact, early-blooming wild daffodil naturalised in Pembrokeshire, Wales, bearing solitary rich-golden flowers with a wide trumpet on slender stems in early spring. It is one of the UK's rarest native flowers. All Narcissus parts are toxic to pets and people; contains lycorine and alkaloids.

Growth habit: Clump-forming bulbous perennial, summer-dormant

Watch for — Eelworm (stem nematode): Causes distorted, speckled leaves and stunted growth. Affected clumps should be lifted and destroyed; there is no effective chemical control.

What fertiliser tenby daffodil actually wants — and why

Tenby Daffodil feeds for next year, not this one — the critical window is after flowering, while the leaves are still green and recharging the bulb.

A low-nitrogen, potassium- and phosphorus-leaning bulb fertiliser (something like 5-10-10) or bonemeal at planting. High nitrogen grows floppy leaves and rots stored bulbs.

For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for tenby daffodil: match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.

How often to feed tenby daffodil, and which months

Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For tenby daffodil:

Apply a balanced bulb fertiliser after flowering while leaves are still green, to help build energy in the bulb for next year. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that promote lush leaf at the expense of flowers. The rhythm: a bulb feed at planting, a light feed as leaves emerge, and — most important — a potassium feed straight after flowering while the foliage is still green and feeding the bulb. Never cut the leaves off early.

The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when tenby daffodil is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.

What strength to mix for tenby daffodil

Use the bulb-feed label rate for tenby daffodil; the timing (post-bloom, leaves still green) does far more for next year's display than the concentration.

Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water tenby daffodil first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the tenby daffodil watering schedule.

Signs you are over-feeding tenby daffodil

Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for tenby daffodil:

Tall, floppy, soft leaves that flop over (too much nitrogen).
Soft or rotting bulbs lifted at the end of the season.
Lush foliage but few or poor flowers.

Signs you are under-feeding tenby daffodil

Progressively fewer or smaller flowers year on year ("going blind").
Small, weak bulbs and thin foliage.
Bulbs that fail to come back at all after a few seasons.

If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full tenby daffodil care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.

Flushing and leaching the salts

Bulbs are not container-flushed like houseplants; the equivalent is not over-feeding and lifting/dividing congested clumps of tenby daffodil every few years so they are not competing for nutrients.

Organic vs synthetic feeds for tenby daffodil

Organic options

Bonemeal worked in at planting plus a mulch of garden compost or well-rotted leaf-mould is the traditional, reliable approach for tenby daffodil. UK: blood, fish & bone or Westland Bulb Food; US: Espoma Bulb-tone or bonemeal.

Synthetic / liquid feeds

A proprietary bulb fertiliser at planting and a high-potash liquid (tomato feed) after flowering — UK: Westland Bulb Food then Tomorite; US: Miracle-Gro Shake 'n Feed Bulb or a bloom booster post-flower.

Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.

Fertilising tenby daffodil — frequently asked questions

What fertiliser does tenby daffodil need?

A low-nitrogen, potassium- and phosphorus-leaning bulb fertiliser (something like 5-10-10) or bonemeal at planting. High nitrogen grows floppy leaves and rots stored bulbs. Tenby Daffodil feeds for next year, not this one — the critical window is after flowering, while the leaves are still green and recharging the bulb.

How often should I feed tenby daffodil?

Apply a balanced bulb fertiliser after flowering while leaves are still green, to help build energy in the bulb for next year. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that promote lush leaf at the expense of flowers. Apply a balanced bulb fertiliser after flowering while leaves are still green, to help build energy in the bulb for next year. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that promote lush leaf at the expense of flowers. The rhythm: a bulb feed at planting, a light feed as leaves emerge, and — most important — a potassium feed straight after flowering while the foliage is still green and feeding the bulb. Never cut the leaves off early.

What strength of feed for tenby daffodil?