From the perspective of the daffodil plant (Narcissus spp.), bulb rot is a severe and often fatal condition that attacks its very foundation. The bulb is the plant's complete life support system, containing the pre-formed leaves, flower stalk, and roots for the next season, as well as all stored energy. When rot sets in, it compromises this entire system, hindering the plant's ability to grow, flower, and survive.
As a plant, I cannot vocalize pain, but I exhibit clear physical signs of internal distress. The most critical signs originate from the bulb itself, which should be firm, heavy, and have a smooth, dry tunic. If I am suffering from rot, my bulb will feel soft and spongy when gently squeezed, often with areas that are discolored brown, black, or purplish. A foul, decaying smell is a definitive indicator of a bacterial or fungal infection. Above the soil, my growth will be stunted or non-existent. If I manage to send up leaves, they will be yellowed, distorted, and will wilt rapidly. The flower bud, if it appears at all, may wither and die before opening (a condition known as "blast").
The primary agents of my decay are fungal and bacterial pathogens that thrive in wet, poorly drained conditions. The most common fungal culprit is *Fusarium* oxysporum f. sp. narcissi, which causes basal rot, entering through my roots or basal plate and turning my core to a dry, dark, crumbly mass. *Botrytis* fungus can also be a problem, especially in cool, damp conditions, causing a grey mold. Bacterial rot, often caused by organisms like *Pectobacterium carotovorum* (formerly Erwinia), is particularly aggressive, creating a slimy, foul-smelling decay that can quickly consume the entire bulb. These pathogens are opportunistic, attacking when my defenses are low, typically due to environmental stress.
My most fundamental need is excellent drainage. I am a bulb, and sitting in waterlogged soil will suffocate my roots and create the anaerobic conditions that rot pathogens love. Therefore, I require soil that is loose, friable, and well-draining. Avoid planting me in heavy, compacted clay. Ensure my planting site receives ample sunlight, which helps dry the soil surface and foliage. When you plant me, place me at a depth of three times my height; this protects me from temperature extremes and some surface moisture. Please also space my bulbs appropriately to ensure good air circulation around my foliage, which reduces humidity and the risk of fungal spores settling.
At the first sign of trouble above ground, you must investigate my bulb. If the rot is minimal, affecting less than a third of my mass, you can attempt surgery. Using a clean, sharp knife sterilized with alcohol, carefully cut away all the rotted tissue until only healthy, firm, white or cream-colored flesh remains. Dust the wounds thoroughly with a fungicide powder like sulfur to protect me and help me callus over. I must then be left in a dry, well-ventilated area to cure for several days before being replanted in fresh, sterile soil. However, if the rot has spread to my basal plate (the hard, flat bottom from which my roots grow) or if I am mostly soft and smelly, I am beyond saving. To protect my neighboring plants, I must be removed from the garden and disposed of in the trash—do not compost me, as this will spread the disease.
