BULB PRODUCTION OF NERINE BOWDENII AND YEAR ROUND STORAGE

Abstract

Traditionally Nerine bowdenii is grown in glasshouses in a one year cycle. The period that the crop is growing in the glasshouse is 8-9 months and after harvesting of the flowers, the bulbs are stored at 2-5°C for 3-4 months. A shorter storage period will lead to problems with dormancy while a storage period longer than 5 months will lead to inflorescence-abortion. Apparently the optimal culture cycle is one year, and consequently bulbs have to be planted each year in the same period. In theory, Nerine bowdenii bulbs can be planted throughout the year which leads to a year round supply of flowers. When however, flowering is planned from February until June, abortion of the inflorescence is likely to occur due to the climatic conditions during winter or, to the hot growing conditions of the bulbs after flowering in the previous years. It was found that flower production in the period from February to June is possible when bulb production and flower production are separated: outdoor bulb production with an extended storage period of the bulbs (at lower temperatures) is combined with flower production in the glasshouse. Bulbs grown outdoors could be stored for 13 months. Storage at 0-l°C gave much better flowering percentage than at 2-5°C. In addition, 1-2 months at 13°C before cool storage is necessary to prevent rotting, without affecting abortion of the inflorescence.