Bulb blindness

Symptoms

Bulbs produce lovely foliage but no flowers. Either no buds at all appear or those that do are dry and virtually empty of petals. Daffodils (Narcissi) are usually the worst affects, especially multi-headed or double forms.

Cause

Occasionally this is caused by bad infestations of bulb fly or basal rot but more often than not it's a cultural problem, such as lack of moisture and nutrients or excessively crowded.

Harm

No flowers.

Treatment

Divide and replant congested clumps into well-prepared soil with added fertiliser. Make sure the bulbs are well watered during dry weather and feed them in spring with a well-balanced fertiliser. Don't tie up or cut the foliage for at least six weeks after flowering has finished

Copyright © Crocus.co.uk Ltd 2024. All rights reserved.