Mary Sue: I've just returned from out-of-town to find a bunch of interesting messages hitting and missing (i.e. discussion of other species) on my favorite subject, Lycoris. Being a late arrival, I hope what follows isn't just a rehash. I consider all Lycoris to fit very well into the flowering without leaves category. I have heard of Lycoris radiata holding foliage through to bloom in the Houston area, but I have never seen this, nor do I know if it is true. The fall foliage group of Lycoris seem to fit the "breaking dormancy with bloom" category the best of the Lycoris, but, as has been said, some of these will still bloom weeks ahead of the first sign of foliage. In all cases, though, I would not consider the bloom to be the ACTUAL initiator of the new growing season, but the foliage. Of course, spring foliage species won't begin to show foliage until late winter. Generally speaking, most Lycoris will not have foliage until the bloom spike has at least initiated growth. As has been said before, probably by Jim W., Lycoris can take some time to "find their feet", especially if received in a state stripped of their roots. Even dormant, these bulbs do not actually lose their roots, so to receive them in a rootless state seems to require the gardener be patient in letting the bulb spend a season (or even 2), establishing a good root system. Last year, I purchases L. squamigera from a local grower, dug them in July and replanted within a few days. Foliage reached about half-height this spring, bloom is sporadic now and at half to 3/4 height. Who knows how much time one might take to adjust to a different hemisphere. I have found Lycoris to be EXTREMELY tough bulbs to kill, though, which is much appreciated by me, a green thumb with plenty of brown mottled throughout. L. squamigera first flush are in full bloom at this moment. Second flush should begin bloom this week. L. longituba is just now sending up spikes (one has bloomed already). I had a sole spike of L. sanguinea var. kiusiana bloom last week and L. sanguinea (probably var. sanguinea) should begin blooming this week (only one spike so far). I have had a very small lot of these, but just received a new shipment to be planted in the next few weeks. L. xhaywardii are done for the season, L. straminea is in bloom and L. xhoudyshelii, also. I'm in Lycoris heaven right now. I sure would like to find a good source (50-1000 bulbs) for Lycoris incarnata (peppermint surprise lily). Leads would be appreciated very much. Mary Sue Ittner wrote: > Dear All, > > The topic this week was inspired by an unanswered question on another > bulb list and that was which bulbs flower without leaves. -- Mr. Kelly M. Irvin The Bulbmeister 4407 Town Vu Road Bentonville, AR 72712 479-685-1339 USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 6b E-mail: mailto:bulbmeister@bulbmeister.com Website: http://www.bulbmeister.com/ Forum: http://www.bulbmeister.com/forum/