Deno’s GardenMy Garden

Narcissus

Daffodil · Narcissus · Garden Daffodil

Family AmaryllidaceaeGenus Narcissus

Yellow trumpet daffodils in full flower above strap-shaped leaves
FlowerJohn O'NeillCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Safety

Toxicity
Medium severity. Flowers, Leaves, Roots, Stems.Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

The plant

Native range
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Note
Deno worked with garden hybrids rather than a named species, so these results are genus-level.Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed.

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility; Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.

This source reports 7 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 14, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 13, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    Deno names the three-month cycle at 40 in this entry.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    Only 5% here.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    90%, in 2-4 weeks. Leave the seedlings at 40 for the full three months, or the leaf comes up weak when they move to 70.

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 28 days.

90% germination in 14–28 days.

A second lot of fresh seed: almost nothing until the third cold period, then 90%.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, NarcissusPublic domain
Show the original text
Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae). Seed from garden hybrids germ. largely at 40. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(75% in 2-5 w) and 40(60% in 6-10 w)-70-40-70-40(20%). A second sample of fresh seed gave the same behavior when sown at 70 but a somewhat different behavior when sown at 40 as shown by 40-70-40(5%)-70-40(90% in 2-4 w). There was evidence that the seed deteriorated in DS and that the deterioration was slower at 40 than at 70. Typical data is 40(11%)-70-40(89%) and 70-40(20%) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40(14%)-70-40(65%) and 70-40(0-20%) for seed DS 6 m at 70. The seedlings must be kept at 40 until the 3 m cycle at 40 is complete in order for the hypogeal leaf development to be vigorous on shifting to 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Narcissus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 20, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    11% here. Deno names the three-month cycle at 40 in this entry.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    A further 89%. Leave the seedlings at 40 for the full three months, or the leaf comes up weak when they move to 70.

about 12 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

89% germination.

Six months dry at 40 barely hurts the cold-first route: 11% then 89%.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, NarcissusPublic domain
Show the original text
Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae). Seed from garden hybrids germ. largely at 40. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(75% in 2-5 w) and 40(60% in 6-10 w)-70-40-70-40(20%). A second sample of fresh seed gave the same behavior when sown at 70 but a somewhat different behavior when sown at 40 as shown by 40-70-40(5%)-70-40(90% in 2-4 w). There was evidence that the seed deteriorated in DS and that the deterioration was slower at 40 than at 70. Typical data is 40(11%)-70-40(89%) and 70-40(20%) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40(14%)-70-40(65%) and 70-40(0-20%) for seed DS 6 m at 70. The seedlings must be kept at 40 until the 3 m cycle at 40 is complete in order for the hypogeal leaf development to be vigorous on shifting to 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Narcissus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 1, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    Deno names the three-month cycle at 40 in this entry.

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    Leave the seedlings at 40 for the full three months, or the leaf comes up weak when they move to 70.

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 35 days.

75% germination in 14–35 days.

Deno's seed was garden hybrids. The shortest route, and 75% of it.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, NarcissusPublic domain
Show the original text
Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae). Seed from garden hybrids germ. largely at 40. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(75% in 2-5 w) and 40(60% in 6-10 w)-70-40-70-40(20%). A second sample of fresh seed gave the same behavior when sown at 70 but a somewhat different behavior when sown at 40 as shown by 40-70-40(5%)-70-40(90% in 2-4 w). There was evidence that the seed deteriorated in DS and that the deterioration was slower at 40 than at 70. Typical data is 40(11%)-70-40(89%) and 70-40(20%) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40(14%)-70-40(65%) and 70-40(0-20%) for seed DS 6 m at 70. The seedlings must be kept at 40 until the 3 m cycle at 40 is complete in order for the hypogeal leaf development to be vigorous on shifting to 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Narcissus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 20, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    14% here. Deno names the three-month cycle at 40 in this entry.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    A further 65%. Leave the seedlings at 40 for the full three months, or the leaf comes up weak when they move to 70.

about 12 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

65% germination.

Stored at 70 rather than 40 and the seed deteriorates faster: 65% against 89%.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, NarcissusPublic domain
Show the original text
Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae). Seed from garden hybrids germ. largely at 40. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(75% in 2-5 w) and 40(60% in 6-10 w)-70-40-70-40(20%). A second sample of fresh seed gave the same behavior when sown at 70 but a somewhat different behavior when sown at 40 as shown by 40-70-40(5%)-70-40(90% in 2-4 w). There was evidence that the seed deteriorated in DS and that the deterioration was slower at 40 than at 70. Typical data is 40(11%)-70-40(89%) and 70-40(20%) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40(14%)-70-40(65%) and 70-40(0-20%) for seed DS 6 m at 70. The seedlings must be kept at 40 until the 3 m cycle at 40 is complete in order for the hypogeal leaf development to be vigorous on shifting to 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Narcissus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 25, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    60% here, in 6-10 weeks. Deno names the three-month cycle at 40 in this entry.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    A further 20%. Leave the seedlings at 40 for the full three months, or the leaf comes up weak when they move to 70.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1, in 70 days.

60% germination in 42–70 days.

Deno's seed was garden hybrids. 60% in the first cold period, 20% more two cycles on.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, NarcissusPublic domain
Show the original text
Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae). Seed from garden hybrids germ. largely at 40. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(75% in 2-5 w) and 40(60% in 6-10 w)-70-40-70-40(20%). A second sample of fresh seed gave the same behavior when sown at 70 but a somewhat different behavior when sown at 40 as shown by 40-70-40(5%)-70-40(90% in 2-4 w). There was evidence that the seed deteriorated in DS and that the deterioration was slower at 40 than at 70. Typical data is 40(11%)-70-40(89%) and 70-40(20%) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40(14%)-70-40(65%) and 70-40(0-20%) for seed DS 6 m at 70. The seedlings must be kept at 40 until the 3 m cycle at 40 is complete in order for the hypogeal leaf development to be vigorous on shifting to 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Narcissus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    Deno names the three-month cycle at 40 in this entry.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    Leave the seedlings at 40 for the full three months, or the leaf comes up weak when they move to 70.

about 9 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

20% germination.

Dry storage wrecks the warm-first route: 20%, against 75% from fresh seed.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, NarcissusPublic domain
Show the original text
Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae). Seed from garden hybrids germ. largely at 40. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(75% in 2-5 w) and 40(60% in 6-10 w)-70-40-70-40(20%). A second sample of fresh seed gave the same behavior when sown at 70 but a somewhat different behavior when sown at 40 as shown by 40-70-40(5%)-70-40(90% in 2-4 w). There was evidence that the seed deteriorated in DS and that the deterioration was slower at 40 than at 70. Typical data is 40(11%)-70-40(89%) and 70-40(20%) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40(14%)-70-40(65%) and 70-40(0-20%) for seed DS 6 m at 70. The seedlings must be kept at 40 until the 3 m cycle at 40 is complete in order for the hypogeal leaf development to be vigorous on shifting to 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Narcissus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 7

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    Deno names the three-month cycle at 40 in this entry.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    Anywhere from nothing to 20%. Leave the seedlings at 40 for the full three months, or the leaf comes up weak when they move to 70.

about 9 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3.

Deno gives 0-20% here -- too variable to state. The worst of Deno’s seven routes.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, NarcissusPublic domain
Show the original text
Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae). Seed from garden hybrids germ. largely at 40. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(75% in 2-5 w) and 40(60% in 6-10 w)-70-40-70-40(20%). A second sample of fresh seed gave the same behavior when sown at 70 but a somewhat different behavior when sown at 40 as shown by 40-70-40(5%)-70-40(90% in 2-4 w). There was evidence that the seed deteriorated in DS and that the deterioration was slower at 40 than at 70. Typical data is 40(11%)-70-40(89%) and 70-40(20%) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40(14%)-70-40(65%) and 70-40(0-20%) for seed DS 6 m at 70. The seedlings must be kept at 40 until the 3 m cycle at 40 is complete in order for the hypogeal leaf development to be vigorous on shifting to 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Narcissus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

Add to My Garden

View species page