Daffodils in the soil probably began their root growth weeks ago. They do not need supplementary water to do so. It happens in dry soil. So the big question is if yours have sprouted? Only by careful excavating will you know. If they have sprouted roots you may lose the bulb by forcing it into dormancy again? I don't know if the basal plate will put out a second group of roots. It seems unlikely to me.

Why are you chilling daffodils? Are they a poeticus type that need winter chill? I had Carlton and a few others in zone 10. They stayed in the ground year round. Are your cultivars rated for zone 8?

Well, I am trying chilling because these have never bloomed for me, had them for years. They grow on a very hot balcony. I will dig one up and take a look -- thing is, they were still a little green, just starting to die off and I was letting them. So now I'm not sure if the rain got in the way, but, they probably still have some roots anyway. Well, I'll try to take a look.

Forgot to say, thanks!!

You do have a special situation. On a hot balcony in zone 10. Hmm. For the soil to remain cool in a heat trap a large pot is needed. If you use plastic and the sun hits it the soil temperature is going to be inhospitable to bulbs. For daffodils I would try a 16 inch deep one, preferably unglazed clay (needs more frequent watering than glazed). If all I had was plastic I would find a way to shield the sides from the sun's rays.

What confuses me is your saying they are still a little green, just starting to die off. Daffodil foliage ripens by June and they are dormant all summer. Are you very sure you have daffodils? Can you take a picture of the foliage? I think the only green foliage bulbs I have right now are nerine, dahlias, rain lilies and lilies.

When in ground, daffodils that are planted too deep don't grow flowers.

I would guess growing them in a pot is similar. You can try to plant some a little shallower.

Based on your description about the green part, though, it sounds like it wasn't quite dormant yet anyway and should still get sun and water in a normal watering routine.

In Zone 10, why are you putting so much effort into daffodils? I buy them because the are cheap and easy where I am. In a climate that warm you have many other options...why not just plant Gladiolus?

Thanks for the comments!

I'm pretty sure they are daffodils, and perhaps they don't go dormant because I kept watering them? Well I've stopped now. They are only about 6 inches deep at most. I planted them a while ago and I don't remember what depth I put them at - I seem to recall thinking that deeper was better, but perhaps I was wrong.

I liked them for the smell! These bulbs though - if they don't bloom next spring, I guess that will be it. Enough is enough.

The foliage is dying back now but I'll try to get a picture.

Thanks again!

So I wonder if they are jonquils, not daffodils. I understand, from catalogues, that some daffodils have scent but I am sure that none of mine do, only my jonquils.

I agree with irisgal that your daffodils (jonquils?) are probably too hot in a pot on a sunny balcony. A terracotta pot that has not been glazed is a better pot material because it 'breaths' and therefore keeps the roots of plants cooler. In fact, I think it's a bit of a pity that so many terracotta pots are glazed.

Great news!!! By some strange miracle, despite doing many things wrong, I have buds!!!!! Hurrah!!!!

I needed the good news - lots of good plants didn't make it last year.

I've had these so long my memory is faint, but I am pretty sure they are Cheerfulness, probably yellow. Or at least were labeled that way.

Thanks for all the moral support!!!

Sounds as if tete a tete was right then, Cheerfulness (and Yellow Cheerfulness) is a tazetta type Narcissus, aka jonquil, so it doesn't need the same winter chill as the trumpet daffodils.

Well that will make things easier. Thanks!