Image: APA/Barbara Gindl
The star daffodils still have about two weeks to transform the meadows in the Ausseerland into a splendor of white flowers. Then around 3000 volunteers from the region go with guests to the daffodil meadows to collect enough white flowers for the traditional daffodil figures. After all, several hundred thousand flowers are needed for a single figure.
Depending on the altitude, the flowering of the daffodil, which in Austria only occurs in Styria, Carinthia, Lower and Upper Austria, can vary. Basically, the fragrant onion plant blooms from mid-May to mid-June.
Ideal conditions in Aussee
Why is the star daffodil, which in Austria is on the list of “endangered plants” can be found, especially in the Ausseerland? “There are several factors that interact here: the climatic conditions, the soil and agricultural management”says vegetation ecologist Franziska Miller-Aichholz from Ausseerland.
Since the narcissus prefers particularly moist, nutrient-poor soil, the cold, wet spring couldn’t harm it, says Miller-Aichholz. “Quite the contrary: We had little snow in winter, which means that the star daffodil has developed correspondingly well. She was even able to benefit from the rains and the cool April. So things are looking very good for this year’s Daffodil Festival.”
In addition to the weather, what is particularly important is the agricultural management of the more than 100 daffodil meadows in the Ausseerland. “This must not be too much, special care is required when mowing: The meadows must not be mowed too early and not too often. That is why we are here in close coordination with the landowners. Over-fertilization with liquid manure also damages the daffodil”says the vegetation ecologist from Ausseerland, who is also the chairwoman of the association “Protection and preservation of daffodil meadows” takes over.
awareness among farmers
Like the tulip, the daffodil is a bulbous plant that quickly pulls its leaves back into the bulb for strength. Therefore, even picking off the flower stalks does not pose a threat to the continued existence of the daffodil: the plant, which comes from the Amaryllis family, can reproduce both through seeds and onion bulbs. By picking it itself, it is even stimulated to stronger vegetative reproduction. It is therefore also forbidden to remove leaves and subterranean parts of plants from the meadows.
“We want to continue to raise public awareness that the Ausseerland region is closely linked to the daffodil. Especially when it comes to domestic tourism. Some may take the daffodil for granted in Aussee, sometimes even calling it a weed. But a lot was built on it in the region”says Miller-Aichholz.
Source: Nachrichten
