Pest identification
What's eating my narcissus 'minnow'?
Narcissus bulb fly (Merodon equestris)
Signs: Bulbs rot from inside; only grassy leaves appear with no flower spike.
Control: Check bulbs at planting for softness; net pots or beds after flowering; discard any spongy bulbs promptly.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Notched or eaten leaf tips on emerging growth, worse in wet spring conditions.
Control: Line container rims with copper tape; use iron phosphate pellets in garden borders; water in the morning.
Aphids
Signs: Small colonies on stems and buds causing sticky deposits and distorted growth.
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap; remove badly infested stems; position containers in well-ventilated spots.
Keep narcissus 'minnow' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Narcissus 'Minnow' pests — FAQ
What is eating my narcissus 'minnow'?
Narcissus 'Minnow' is a compact multi-headed tazetta type often grown in containers, making bulb fly damage easier to spot. Toxic alkaloids keep deer, rabbits, and squirrels at bay. The biggest threats are narcissus bulb fly larvae, slugs attacking soft shoot tips, and aphids on the short flower stems.
How do I get rid of narcissus bulb fly (merodon equestris) on narcissus 'minnow'?
Bulbs rot from inside; only grassy leaves appear with no flower spike. Check bulbs at planting for softness; net pots or beds after flowering; discard any spongy bulbs promptly.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on narcissus 'minnow'?
Notched or eaten leaf tips on emerging growth, worse in wet spring conditions. Line container rims with copper tape; use iron phosphate pellets in garden borders; water in the morning.
How do I get rid of aphids on narcissus 'minnow'?
Small colonies on stems and buds causing sticky deposits and distorted growth. Spray with insecticidal soap; remove badly infested stems; position containers in well-ventilated spots.