Narcissus leaf problems

[annew]

Can anyone suggest what is the matter with these narcissi? 3 of my pots are affected. The bulbs seem sound in the pot I looked at, but the leaves are distorted and yellow with brown withered ends.

[Ian Y]

Anne
When I see these symptoms my first thoughts are that there is a problem at the roots.
Were they too dry when they wanted to grow? Or have they been too cold and wet and the tips have rotted off.
It is a fine balancing act to get the moisture levels just right at this time of year.
I am fairly sure from what I can see in the picture that it is not any form of nasty infectious diseasese.

[annew]

Thanks, Ian. Possibly they got dry while I was decorating for the last 2 months!

[Maggi Young]

Decorating? For two months? Have you taken up a new employment?  Good grief, you'll be doing housework next. Control yourself, woman!  Next time you feel that sort of activity coming on, lie down with a seed list until the feeling passes. Always works for me!!

[mark smyth]

could it be signs of Stagno.?

[Maggi Young]

What do you mean by "stagno", Mark? Only means a type of tin ore to me, or maybe somewhere in Italy!

[mark smyth]

Stagonospora curtisii commonly known as blight, leaf scorch or tip burn and a scurge to bulb growers. This is what causes red staining on scales and bent deformed leaves

[annew]

Gee, thanks Mark. I think I like Ian's answer better! I'll cut up one of the bulbs and have a look. Cross fingers! Maggie, I haven't quite gone as far as housework yet - at least not unless we're having visitors!

[mark smyth]

If I'm home early enough I'll take a shot of a snowdrop bulb suffering from the problem. Heavy dosing of an old fungicide is recommended - Benlate or Bavistin

[Ian Y]

Thanks, Mark, you'd lost Maggi for a minute there!
For anyone else who was puzzled, here are a couple of references that may help:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0104/narcissus_leaf_scorch.asp

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/FungalDiseases

Gruesome pictures linked to the PBS page... hope this is NOT your problem, Anne. The only times we've had this sort of problem has been when we've brought in hybrids from commercial sources... they get burned pretty sharpish, I can tell you!

[annew]

Ooops, I replied to this in the Narcissus thread instead of here.  See there for x-rated photos.