Question
Could you please give me some advice on how to clone a daffodil? I was asked to use cutting to clone one for a science project.
I also need you to answer this question: I have a willow tree in my backyard. I have heard that willow tea is a good substitute for store bought rooting hormone. Considering it is still winter where I live and there is not any leaves on the tree, is it still safe to use the tree's twigs without the leaves?

Answer
Hi Shangrila,
Thanx for your question.  You can't get cuttings from daffodils.  Daffodils generally increase themselves by producing offsets of their bulbs.  Some of the species daffodils still produce viable seed.  Most of the hybrids do not that I know of, or the local climates may not be conducive to producing seeds.  At any rate, the way you are going to clone a daffodil is either in a lab through tissue culture with which I have no experience or by digging up the plant in the fall and separating the offstets from the mother bulb.  Daffodils increase rapidly and about every three years it is good to dig them up and divide them (separate the offsets).  

In regard to the willow being used to make rooting hormone.  Yes, that is true and it doesn't make any difference whether it is winter or not.

Here's a link to a helpful site for making rooting hormone.

http://www.beinggreenonline.com/gardening/make-your-own-natural-rooting-hormone

I hope this helps.
Tom