The Gardeners Almanac

The place to find out what to do in the garden this week
My Back Garden

Narcissus Leaf Scorch


Overview:

This disease can also be problematic to other indoor and outdoor species e.g. Amaryllus, Hippeastrum, Nerine, and Snowdrops (Galanthus) to name but a few.

When the leaves are emerging the leaf tips appear reddish-brown (scorched), as if they have succumbed to frost damage.


Outdoors, it seems to occur more frequently after a wet summer.

In very wet situations this scorching will spread down the leaf, and the leaves may become distorted and covered in spots.


Symptoms:

Tiny black fruiting bodies of fungus may be seen on dead tissue.

The fungus then produces spores which are spread by water which probably remains in the soil.

The fungus can also be present in the outer bulb scales, from where it infects emerging leaves.


Control:

There are no fungicides available to amateur gardeners for use against this disease.

To control it cut off and dispose of affected leaf tops as soon as the scorching is visible.

If the infection persists, discard any affected bulbs.

Keeping the growing area free of rotting plant debris can prevent a build up of spores.