From my perspective as a Nerine bowdenii bulb, timing is everything. I experience a distinct annual cycle of growth and rest. The most crucial time for you to handle me is during my dormant period. For most of you in the United States, this corresponds to the late summer months. I am not actively growing roots or leaves then; my energy is stored tightly within my fleshy scales, waiting for the right signal to awaken. Planting me while I am dormant minimizes shock and allows me to focus my energy on establishing roots before committing to flowering.
The perfect time to place me in the earth is from late August through early October. This schedule is primarily based on temperature. I need to experience a period of warm soil to stimulate root development. If you plant me too early, while the soil is still fiercely hot from the peak summer heat, I may become stressed. If you plant me too late, when the soil has already turned cold, my roots will not have adequate time to establish themselves before winter's chill. This window gives me the warm soil I crave for root growth, followed by the cooler temperatures that help initiate my flower stalk.
While late summer is a general rule, my needs shift slightly depending on your local climate. In warmer zones (USDA 8-10), including much of the California coast and the South, you can plant me a little later, even into October, as the soil retains its warmth. In these areas, I am often evergreen or semi-evergreen. In cooler northern zones (USDA 6-7), it is imperative to get me into the ground by early September. My roots must be well-anchored before the first hard freeze arrives. In these colder regions, a thick layer of mulch after planting is greatly appreciated to protect my neck from severe frost.
How you plant me is as important as when. I am a unique bulb with specific preferences. I despise being buried too deeply. Please plant me so that the very top of my long neck is just barely at the soil surface; in warmer climates, even allowing the very tip of my nose to peek above the soil is ideal. I demand excellent drainage. Soggy, waterlogged soil around my base is a death sentence, causing me to rot. Therefore, please choose a sunny, sheltered spot and amend heavy clay soil with grit or sand to ensure water drains away freely after rain or watering.
Once settled, I will begin my work underground, sending out roots to anchor myself and gather nutrients and moisture. You will see little above-ground activity at first. This is normal. With the cooler temperatures of autumn, my flower bud, which was formed within me during the previous growing season, will begin to push upwards. My strappy, green leaves often emerge after the flowers have faded, which is different from many other bulbs. This leaf growth will continue through your winter and spring, gathering energy from the sun to store within me for next year’s spectacular floral show.
