On 21 Sep 08, at 16:06, Bracey Tiede wrote: > Last week a cloudy front came through the SF Bay Area and the light and air > changed from summer to fall even though the official day is tomorrow. We've > had no rain since early spring but something (not irrigation in my yard) has > encouraged two patches of Zephyranthes candida and Zephyranthes flavissima > to burst into bloom. Very cheerful. > > What other factors besides rain might encourage these to bloom? Cooling of the soil due to less daylight and the more oblique angle it makes to the surface. Established plantings of crocuses begin to push new roots in early August. And by early August, you don't burn the soles of your feet walking on the beach in mid-afternoon. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate on beautiful Vancouver Island http://maps.google.ca/maps/…