Troubleshooting
Tiger Flower problems — and how to fix them
Tiger Flower (Tigridia pavonia) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Botrytis on stored bulbs
Tigridia corms stored over winter in damp conditions are prone to botrytis (grey mould). After lifting, cure corms in a warm, airy spot for one to two weeks, dust lightly with sulphur powder, and store in dry compost or paper bags at 7–10°C.
Iris borer (Macronoctua onusta)
In North America, iris borer larvae can tunnel into Tigridia corms, causing wilting and rotting. Inspect corms at lifting, discard any with tunnels or soft spots, and consider a preventive imidacloprid soil drench where infestations are a known problem.
Prevent tiger flower problems before they start
Most tiger flower issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Tiger Flower problems — FAQ
Why is my tiger flower botrytis on stored bulbs?
Tigridia corms stored over winter in damp conditions are prone to botrytis (grey mould). After lifting, cure corms in a warm, airy spot for one to two weeks, dust lightly with sulphur powder, and store in dry compost or paper bags at 7–10°C.
Why is my tiger flower iris borer (macronoctua onusta)?
In North America, iris borer larvae can tunnel into Tigridia corms, causing wilting and rotting. Inspect corms at lifting, discard any with tunnels or soft spots, and consider a preventive imidacloprid soil drench where infestations are a known problem.