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| Narcissus Basal Rot |
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Basal rot; is a soft brown rot that starts in the basal plate of the bulb and gradually spreads to the top it,
The problem is more prevalent in the damp and warm conditions of spring, and is caused by a fungus that only affects Narcissus species.
It is a relatively common soil contaminant and may live harmlessly on the bulb surface, but on occasions it will invade bulb roots that are dying back naturally.
Bulbs left in the ground rot and fail to grow the following season.
If lifted and stored, infected bulbs may not die completely over winter, but will fail to thrive in the following season.
To check for infestation; cut across a suspect bulb, contaminated bulbs will display one or more partial or complete brown rings.
To control the disease; handle bulbs carefully to avoid injury, discard suspiciously soft bulbs, and dust stored bulbs with sulphur.
Do not replant any Narcissus species in soil where the disease has occurred.
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