The MGS Forum

Gardening in mediterranean climates => Pests and diseases => Topic started by: Daisy on March 04, 2013, 10:06:07 AM

Title: Narcissus problem
Post by: Daisy on March 04, 2013, 10:06:07 AM

Perhaps I have been fortunate, but I have been planting narcissus bulbs all my life and have never had blind bulbs.
This year however, is the second spring for most of my narcissus here and most of them have come up blind.
I have one flower only on Avalanche and I found these insects on it.
Is this the cause of their blindness?

(http://i567.photobucket.com/albums/ss112/daisyincrete/feb2013006_zps5a5dfffb.jpg)

Is it worth leaving the bulbs in the hope that they will flower next year? Or should I dig them up and discard them?
Daisy :)

Title: Re: Narcissus problem
Post by: oron peri on March 04, 2013, 11:20:07 AM

Daisy,
In my experience, 'Avalanche' and 'Geranium' are both heavy feeders meaning they need extra nutrients available through their growing seoson in order to develop a future flower bud.
A good compost in autumn and at least once; fertilizer with high level of Phosphorus   by the end of the season will do the job.
Also they do much better in full sun and do not let them over croud, and most important do not cut the leaves, let them dry compleetly.
The bugs on your flower are not a problem really.

Title: Re: Narcissus problem
Post by: pamela on March 04, 2013, 03:59:05 PM

Oron says narcissi need phosphorus.  Is this all narcissi in general?  What do you mean 'high' phosphorus.  Could we have some NPK numbers please (and any other micros necessary). Feeding nutrients is always a dilemma for me....... I use 15.15.15  most of the time but its probably not optimal in our clay soil.  

Title: Re: Narcissus problem
Post by: oron peri on March 04, 2013, 05:07:55 PM

Pamela,
Sorry, i meant high in Phosporus [P],
Therefore 10-20-10, 15-30-15, 12-24-12 etc. which are used in order to encourage flowering.
Tomato fertilazers have similar combinations and can be used as well.

Title: Re: Narcissus problem
Post by: pamela on March 05, 2013, 07:52:50 AM

Thats extremely helpful Oron....especially as we can always get something like Tomorite here.   

Title: Re: Narcissus problem
Post by: Daisy on March 06, 2013, 06:45:21 AM

Thanks Oron I will give them some high phosphorus feed.
Hopefully they will flower next year.
Daisy :)