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Smelly daffodils

(39 Posts)
Doodledog Tue 05-Mar-24 10:09:56

Are daffodils supposed to smell? I got a bunch of daffs with my supermarket order, and they look lovely and springlike on the mantelpiece.

The next morning, I came downstairs and could smell what seemed like an electrical burning smell. What I describe as 'burning pan handle', which gives a clue to my culinary habits grin.

Mr D agreed that there was a smell, and we went around like bloodhounds trying to find the source of it, but to no avail. Eventually, we realised that it is the daffodils. They had opened overnight, and they pong!

It's quite early for daffs, so I wondered if they had been forced in some way, and that this is responsible. I've always liked daffodils, and get them with my shopping when they are available, butI've never known them smell like this. Any thoughts? I'm leaving them where they are now that I know that the house is unlikely to burn down, but I'm in two minds about getting more next week.

Fair2good Fri 08-Mar-24 13:02:01

I love daffodils but dislike the smell. I was given a bunch a few days ago by a neighbour who we take parcels in for. The flowers are lovely but there is a distinctly unpleasant smell emanating from them. Could it be some kind of preservative they’ve been sprayed with ? Any florists on here that can enlighten us ?

JamesandJon33 Fri 08-Mar-24 13:56:43

I love daffodils and have loads in the garden. Mostly that is were they stay. I only bring bent ones indoor as I always have thought that daffodils smell of wet knickers.

mrsgreenfingers56 Fri 08-Mar-24 15:03:06

Oh just had a sniff at mine and nothing at all smell wise. Bought from Aldi and love the bright flowers and colour to cheer up a cold and dull today, like today!

midgey Fri 08-Mar-24 15:18:31

I used to treat myself to a bunch of ‘sols’ from the flower seller when I worked in London. My mum said they were Soleil d’or. I loved them.

Paperbackwriter Fri 08-Mar-24 16:15:04

"Climate change means we can now get daffodils from mid-January. I have never had a problem with any strange smell."

There've always been early daffodils from the west country. I live in Cornwall part of the year and we have the littlest ones called Sols from mid November.

grannyro Fri 08-Mar-24 16:16:54

I bought some daffodils to take to the crematorium for mothers day. This morning I walked into the kitchen and thought I could smell cat wee, (I don't have cats). Like you I sniffed around and it was definitely the daffs! I was happy to take them to the crem this morning!

GrauntyHelen Fri 08-Mar-24 16:49:54

Love daffs I even had them as church flowers at my wedding but I hate their smell

Gotthattshirt Fri 08-Mar-24 17:10:53

Maybe we have different sensors in our noses???
My Sainsbury’s daffs have a nice gentle smell but the day old cut Eucalyptus takes my breath away.
It’s so often a filler in gifted flowers and looks lovely but I can’t bear the smell. It’s nothing like the fresh clean smell of growing Eucalyptus. The cut stuff has to go straight outside!

Desdemona Fri 08-Mar-24 18:08:00

I bought some daffs in Sainsburys a few weeks back and they never opened up, just withered and went brown while still in bud which was a disappointment.

palette21 Wed 11-Feb-26 08:41:18

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Oreo Wed 11-Feb-26 08:58:27

Old thread again.

HelterSkelter1 Wed 11-Feb-26 10:23:04

My bunches of daffodils from Waitrose also smell once opened for a day or 2. So I put them outside while still in flower, but pongy.
Also hyacinth don't smell as nice as they used to. They have to go out as well so I can see them but jot smell them

Fallingstar Wed 11-Feb-26 10:25:26

JamesandJon33

I love daffodils and have loads in the garden. Mostly that is were they stay. I only bring bent ones indoor as I always have thought that daffodils smell of wet knickers.

I love daffs but agree. They are not known for being fragrant, have had a lovely bunch in the living room but they do produce a smell of urine imho.