Nerine sarniensis 'Bernardine'

Autumn · Indoors

Feed with low nitrogen feed

Feed the plant after flowering has finished. Use a houseplant fertiliser that is low in nitrogen.

Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.

Autumn · Outdoors

Feed with low nitrogen feed

Feed the plant after flowering has finished. Use a houseplant fertiliser that is low in nitrogen.

Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.

Autumn · Planting

Divide after flowering

Clumps that have become congested can be lifted, divided and replanted with some space between the bulbs, corms, or rhizomes so that they can further develop, producing new foliage clumps in the future.

Spring-Autumn · Indoors

Water regularly during growth

Water regularly while in growth.

Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.

Spring - late · Outdoors

Feed with sequestrol

If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.

For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.

Summer · Indoors

Keep dry during dormancy

The plant is dormant in summer. Reduce watering as the leaves fade. Leave it dry for the summer and begin watering gently in autumn, or when signs of growth are visible.

Summer · Outdoors

Keep dry during dormancy

The plant is dormant in summer. Reduce watering as the leaves fade. Leave it dry for the summer and begin watering gently in autumn, or when signs of growth are visible.

Outdoors

Water with rain water

This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.

Compost · Planting

Loam based houseplant compost for repotting

Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.

John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.

Indoor temperature · Planting

5C minimum temperature

This plant requires a minimum temperature of 5 Centigrade.

Indoor plant · Planting

Position in a sunny spot, close to window

Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).