I have a keen interest in Hippeastrums , as well as my daffs . They flower in NZ from November until the early New Year . One of the bigger and most destructive pests can be Narcissus Bulb Fly , our old friend .The first Hippys are flowering at the time when the bulb tops are still strong – and the bulb fly is active . Hippeastrums are planted with most of the bulb above the ground – almost to much temptation for NBF ; no diving or digging required .
I have not had a problem with it , but this post from a Hippeastrum forum , only made last week , Thursday 8 December , shows the problem . One of the reply postings , from Croatia , shows Daffodils , tazettas , flowering in the wild there , presumably at present .This is at the end , after a scroll through other comments .Comments are from USA , France and Croatia .
Interesting crossover .
http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4322019/surgery-without-anesthesy
Hi,
If I understood correctly – we are talking about the protection of the Narcissus bulb fly. The best way to protect against it is the processing plants insecticide Aktara 1 time per month. In north hemisfere this need to do in may, june and july.
Oleg from Ukraine.