Dear Friends, As expected, the last Lycoirs to bloom are making a final weak show. Although I know from the foliage that there must be at least 20 bulbs in place, 2 stalks have appeared on L. radiata radiata, the sterile triploid clone. I know this is considered a near weed in mild parts of the US esp. the Gulf Coast where it multiplies like mad and blooms its head off. The color is a nice rich red even though individual flowers are among the smallest in the genus. I think we had a good growing season, since in some years there are no bloom on L. radiata at all so I should appreciate the 2 stalks I have even more. As good as the growing season is, there are no stalks at all from L. houdyshelii which 'should' bloom synchronously. As these late blooms are appearing, earlier flowering species have seeds ripening and I'll try to collect them as the stalks fall over and hide the heads in the grass. Each flower can produce upwards of a dozen seeds, but usually closer to 3 or 4 each. Seeds on the largest species are easily the size of a English pea and smaller species 1/2 that diameter. Sad to see the display finish up after a good 6 weeks since my first report on Aug. 6. There has been a literal rainbow of colors and forms at a time when there is little else that can challenge the Lycoris show here. And I think they have all recovered from a disastrous freeze in spring of last year that halted almost all bloom last fall. Next year ! Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +