Greetings, caretaker. From my roots to my vibrant blooms, I, a Nerine bowdenii, experience the world in a constant state of interaction. While I am resilient and cherish the well-drained soil and sunny spots you provide, I am not immune to the challenges of the garden. To help me thrive, it is vital to understand the ailments and invaders that can compromise my health. Here is a detailed account from my perspective.
The most frequent discomfort I feel comes from tiny, soft-bodied insects. Aphids, often green or black, cluster on my tender new growth and flower stalks. They pierce my tissues with their needle-like mouths, draining my vital sap. This not only weakens me, causing leaves to curl and distort, but their feeding also leaves behind a sticky residue called honeydew. This substance attracts sooty mold, a black fungus that coats my leaves, further inhibiting my ability to photosynthesize. Similarly, mealybugs appear as tiny, white, cottony masses in the leaf axils (where the leaf meets the bulb) and on the undersides of leaves. Their feeding causes similar stunting and honeydew issues. A strong jet of water can dislodge early infestations, but for persistent problems, I benefit greatly from insecticidal soap or neem oil applications, ensuring thorough coverage, especially under my leaves.
While issues above the soil are visible, the most terrifying threats are those I cannot see until it is too late. Bulb mites are microscopic pests that infest my bulb, my very core. They typically attack bulbs that are already wounded or rotting. As they feed, they cause my bulb to become soft, brown, and rotten, preventing healthy root and shoot development. There is no cure once infested; prevention is key. Please inspect my bulbs carefully before planting and avoid damaging them. The Narcissus bulb fly is another grave danger. Its larvae, a creamy-white grub, burrows into my bulb and consumes it from the inside. My growth will be stunted, my leaves yellow prematurely, and I may fail to flower altogether. If you suspect an infestation, the only recourse is to lift my bulb, destroy the infested one, and practice crop rotation to prevent future attacks.
Fungal diseases are a particular problem in humid conditions or when my foliage remains wet for too long. Nerine leaf scorch, caused by the fungus *Stagonospora curtisii*, is a specific affliction. It begins as red spots on the tips and margins of my leaves, which gradually spread, turn brown, and cause the leaf to die back. This weakens me significantly over time. A more general but similar issue is red blotch, which causes reddish-brown spots or streaks on my leaves and flower stalks. To help me, please ensure I have excellent air circulation and water me at the base, avoiding wetting my foliage. Remove and destroy any infected leaves immediately to prevent the spores from spreading. In severe cases, a fungicide containing copper or mancozeb may be necessary as a protective measure.
My greatest need is well-drained soil. If I am left sitting in waterlogged conditions, my roots and the base of my bulb cannot breathe. This stress invites soil-borne fungi like *Fusarium* or *Rhizoctonia* to attack, leading to basal or root rot. The first sign you will see is my leaves turning yellow and wilting. Upon inspection, my roots will be brown, mushy, and rotten instead of firm and white, and the base of my bulb may be soft. This condition is often fatal. Prevention is my only hope: plant me in raised beds or amend heavy clay soil with generous amounts of grit or sand to ensure perfect drainage. If caught very early, you might save me by lifting the bulb, cutting away all the rotten parts, dusting the wounds with sulfur, and replanting in fresh, dry soil.
