Now is when the daffodil foliage drives me crazy because we all know we are now supposed to cut it. So today I started doing what my Grandmother and my Great Aunt showed me to do when I was a little girl (a little less than 100 years ago). I tied daffodil knots. It reduces the urge to cut them. It makes your beds look neater, and my Granny said that's what you're supposed to do..... So I still do it 40 years later. I'm sure she is smiling from heaven!! Lol
I leave the foliage alone and try to obscure it with plants that develop after the daffs bloom. Just last weekend I participated in a daffodil show sponsored by the American Daffodil Society where there was a guest speaker from the UK who is considered an expert in the field. A lady in the audience asked about cutting foliage 6 weeks after bloom and he strongly recommended against cutting or diminishing its ability to replenish the bulb. He said that it will diminish the number of blooms you see the following year.
Once I start seeing yellow in the leaves I yank them off- they're pretty much done at that point. The speaker said to avoid using any kind of knife or cutter on daffs (mostly referring to the blooms) because if there is virus lurking it can be spread to other plants with tools.
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
When you tie them down like that --they can not all get the sun properly to carry on the photosynthesis needed for next year's bulbs.
They should be encouraged to grow upright for as long as possible.
I have done it this way for years and never have had any provlems. Interesting. Thank you for you're input though because it will cause me to pay closer attention.!!!!
