From our perspective as Nerine plants, we are generally resilient but have specific vulnerabilities. We rely on you, our caretakers, to interpret the signs of distress we show. Our primary concerns are insects that target our bulbs and foliage, and fungal diseases that thrive in poor conditions.
These pests pierce our tissues and feed on our sap, weakening us and causing secondary issues.
Aphids: They cluster on our flower stalks and the undersides of our emerging leaves. Their feeding distorts our new growth and causes unsightly damage. More critically, they excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which encourages sooty mold to grow on our surfaces, blocking sunlight and further impeding our photosynthesis.
Spider Mites: These tiny arachnids are a grave threat, especially in hot, dry conditions. They suck the chlorophyll from our cells, causing our beautiful, strap-like leaves to become stippled with yellow dots and take on a dull, bronzed appearance. Severe infestations leave fine webbing on our foliage, and we become too weak to produce our characteristic vibrant blooms.
These are the most dangerous pests, as they attack the very heart of our being—our bulb, which is our storage organ and lifeline.
Narcissus Bulb Fly: This is a particularly devastating pest. The fly lays eggs at our base in spring. The larvae then burrow into our bulb and feed on the interior scales. From our perspective, this feels like a slow, internal decay. Our growth is stunted, our leaves yellow and wilt prematurely, and we often fail to flower. If dug up, our bulb is found to be hollowed out and rotten.
We prefer well-draining soil and a sunny location. When our environment is not to our liking, we become susceptible to these pathogens.
Bulb Rot (Various Fungi): This is our greatest fear. If we are planted in heavy, waterlogged soil, fungal pathogens like Fusarium and Botrytis attack our bulb and roots. The first sign we give is a general decline—yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and a failure to thrive. Upon inspection, our bulb will be soft, mushy, and discolored. This is often a fatal condition if not caught early.
Leaf Scorch (Botrytis cinerea): This fungus appears as reddish-brown spots or lesions on our leaves and flower stalks, often after periods of cool, wet weather. It can cause our flower buds to abort and our foliage to die back unsightly, reducing our ability to store energy for the next season.
