DOWNY DAFFODILS

Photo: Narcissus fly like hyacinths as well.

Q. Everyone has a lovely show of daffodils in their garden but mine have no flowers, what is the problem. G.D. Carndonagh

A. There are a few reasons for your bulbs to be “blind”, as it is called. If the bulbs are recently planted, they might take a year to settle down. Check as well that the bulbs have been planted two or three times their height as planting too shallow can result in blindness. The other thing that I can think of is the narcissus fly (Merodon equestris) this pest also attacks snowdrops and hyacinths. If you lift a bulb and see a 15-20 cm long grub then this is the problem. During the summer, adult flies similar to small bumblebees, lay their eggs close to the neck of suitable bulbs. The larvae hatch and make their way to the base of the bulb and eat all the juicy tissue along the way.

CONTROLLING THE FLY

· Chemical control is generally a waste of time as by the time you have noticed them the damage has been done.
· When you buy the bulbs, check they are firm and free from pest and disease.
· Adult flies prefer warm and sunny spots in the garden, so plant any new bulbs in a shady or exposed area.
· Once the foliage has died down, brush soil into the gaps that the leaves have left as they die down. This will make it more difficult for the egg-laying females to get to the neck of the bulbS.

Horticultural.