Had a very draining day - emotionally draining. I dug up all the bulbs that were not showing flowers to inspect the bulbs. Over half seemed OK. The rest had a variety of problems.....and it was all the expensive ones naturally.
I brought them indoors and washed them off. By now it was too late to photograph them and the flash was too bright to get any details. I will post photos tomorrow. Here is what I found:-
1.
Puck had top growth until I tried to dig it up and then the foliage came away in my hand - I could not find the bulb and took all surrounding soil to my potting shed and sifted throught it - no bulb. I am gutted.
Wish I had dug it up quicker.
2.
Diggory - mushy bulb with few roots trying to survive and a hard core on the bottom. I have cleaned away all the gunk and washed it off. It has some strong growth but just a bottom - the sides of the bulb have turned to mush.
3.
Irish Green - top growth and no roots at all - as if they have been eaten
4.
Boyd's Double - bulbs badly eaten away from the sides - still has basal plate
5.
Reginae olgae ssp reginae olgae - totally disappeared from the ground
6.
Green Man - slightly eaten away but still has roots. This is the best of the lot
7.
Robin Hood - one surviving bulb the rest rotted or eaten from sight leaving just foliage poking up but no bulb under the soil
I have some Bio Supercarb Systemic Fungicide with carbendazim (from years ago). Should I mix a solution? It says one sachet to 1/2 gallon but I don't need that much. How long do I soak them for? Then what do I pot the bulbs into - sharp sand?? I am desperate to save them if I can. I will take photos in the morning and see if anyone on here can give me some advice....please?
I have more to dig and inspect tomorrow - dread it. I suspect my soil is holding too much water and not draining but that does not account for eaten bulbs and lack of roots? All my cheaper and easier to obtain bulbs are simply thriving......in another bed.
many thanks
A very stressed Jennie with a serious headache
