Daffs in pots

[toonia]

Strangely enough, I've never grown daffs in pots and need some advice.
Can the bulbs touch each other or should they be distanced?
What happens after flowering, can the bulbs be taken out and stored with the leaves or would I have to wait until the leaves die back?
Would they be all right in a plastic pot because terracotta could still get frozen at flowering time and I don't have a spare glazed one?
...and will they be all right kept in a coldframe until the shoots appear?

[obelixx]

HI toonia - In my experience they can be tightly packed and even layered if you want a bold display but if your winters are as cold as mine a cold frame won't do. They'll freeze to mush. It happened to me.

These days, I plant some up in pots - but not packed tight - and keep them in the garage. Then I can cheat and slot them into borders where I see gaps. It's a good way of increasing the display without accidently slicing through existing bulbs when digging in borders.

I don't do bulbs in the winter display pots anymore either as they freeze to death. Nowadays I stick to boring heathers and pansies and variegated ivies - pretty but not thrilling. However, if you do, after flowering they need to be kept in the pots or moved to a new home where their roots won't be exposed so that the foliage can do its magic and feed the bulbs for the next year's flowers.

[toonia]

Thanks, Obby. I will risk some cheapos from the supermarket and put them in the greenhouse. I won't be too upset if they don't survive! I just fancied having some that were moveable, I have lots in the garden.

[4pygmies]

I have lots of black plastic pots stuffed with bulbs which I have virtually ignored for 3 years...they are always a pleasant surprise as I forget about them in between. I plant the same sort in each pot and sink them about the place. I have Tete a tete daffs in several and they've done really well each year.

[toonia]

Sorry 4P, I've only just noticed your reply!
I shall follow your example, there are always black plastic pots around that won't be missed.
Thanks to Obby and yourself, you have told me all I wanted to know!