Nerine sarniensis

Nerines typically flower in the autumn period. For Nerine bowdenii and its cultivars, flowering usually occurs in the autumn as foliage begins to die back after it has been growing all summer. Whereas for Nerine sarniensis and its cultivars, flowering usually occurs also in the autumn but before foliage growth starts.

For Nerine sarnienis, and its cultivars, these are winter growing and should be planted in the autumn and for warmer climates or under cover in a heated glasshouse only. Plant your bulbs as soon as they arrive each one into a 9cm pot filled with a mixture of 50% multipurpose compost and 50% loam based potting compost, such as John Innes No 2. When planting, make sure that the roots are spread out and only the bottom half of the bulbs are below the compost level. The top half of the bulb (the neck) must remain above it. Wait until the roots fill the pot before planting out into the garden, at the same level. Resist repotting regularly as Nerines dislike disturbance. Alternatively, Nerines make good pot plants and can be planted in shallow terracotta pans. Ensure it is a shallow pot and plant in the same where as for the ground, with the neck of the bulb exposed.

Nerine bulbs will produce offsets over time, growing from the sides of existing bulbs. It is important to ensure the young bulbs have reached a good size before breaking them off from the parent and can be done when young bulbs are at least two thirds the size of the parent bulb. During the dormant season, before bulbs are due to come into growth (which is late winter/early spring for Nerine bowdenii and cultivars, or summer for Nerine sarniensis and cultivars) dug up and split the bulbs carefully, ensuring not to break any new roots, and replant in a suitable potting mix ensuring the young bulb is exactly the same height within the soil as it was when attached to the parent. The young neck of the bulb should be exposed above the soild.

Divide the clumps after flowering has finished, and re-plant the divisions.