Hallo all !
I am busy repotting some plants, including some daffodils. The label stated there were four bulbs planted last year. One managed to double, two totally disappeared, and the third one seemed to have lost most of the bulb mass. The basal plate seems to be intact, but without any roots. Could this be due to too much moisture during summer ? Or is something else wrong?
Any ideas?
Thanks
Christiaan
Hi Christiaan,
It’s hard to tell from photos. Why don’t you go to http://www.dafflibrary.org and click on Diseases and Pests, then scroll down to Diseases, then select the third one down, “Daffodil Diseases and Pests,” by Ted Snazelle. Several things come to mind: basal rot or nematodes. There are photos in the booklet. Or maybe you could contact Ted directly at
. Can your agriculture department examine the bulbs to diagnose the problem?
Best wishes,
Mary Lou
Hi Christiaan,
I have waited for someone more knowledgeable than me to reply to you. One has so I will now offer my tuppence worth.
Firstly Mary Lou’s advice is sound but I’m not sure of the diagnosis.
I suggest that your first thoughts are accurate – the bulbs had poor drainage. I would make a few comments
– Standard sized bulbs usually last two, maybe three, years in a container and then the bulbs deteriorate quickly.
– ceramic pots usually have flat bottoms with a drainage hole in the centre. When placed on concrete the drainage hole cannot operate. A pot must be raised from the ground or have ridges underneath so that the drainage holes are raised and drainage can occur.
– modern, bark based bulb potting mixes usually drain very well. Older and soil based mixes are not made for good drainage.
– bulb mixes have sufficient fertilizer added. In NZ we have trichoderma in the mix also
I will be keeping touch with South Africa the next fortnight as the rugby Crusaders play a couple of key matches there.
Dave