Bulb fly question

totototo@telus.net totototo@telus.net
Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:53:41 PDT
On 27 Apr 2010, at 10:41, Nhu Nguyen wrote:

> If you have noticed bulb flies please write in so that we can compile a
> distribution map. So far we have CA, NJ, Chicago IL, and northwestern
> Oregon.

Bulb flies make growing amaryllids a real struggle on the east coast of 
Vancouver Island. Triandrus hybrid narcissus last exactly one season after 
planting. In their second season, they are utterly gone, not even grass formed. 
This includes beauties like 'Liberty Bells' and 'Thalia'. <sob>

Cyclamineus hybrids (notably 'Dove Wings', 'Charity May', and 'Jenny') otoh, 
survive quite nicely, but I suspect that just means they're playing the role of 
typhoid marys.

I attribute the prevalence of bulb flies here to the large numbers of feral 
narcissus that grow in waste spaces and neglected corners of gardens.

Someone asked if they attack non-amaryllidaceous plants. I've seen one, many 
years ago, in a hyacinth bulb, and have read that they will attack other bulbs 
if their preferred amaryllidaceae are scarce.

Nhu can color in greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley a little ways north 
as definitely known problem areas, though I think the plague extends much 
further than that.


-- 
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate
on beautiful Vancouver Island

http://maps.google.ca/maps/…


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