> >Is it possible that there is some genetic variation in Lycoris squamigera >in spite of its being produced mainly by bulb chipping? Dear Anita and all, Yes,,, and no. Most of the L squamigera grown in the world are propagated vegetatively - not by chip budding or scaling or quartering etc - as far as I know. Do you have some specifics otherwise.? The bulbs are vigorous enough and multiply fast enough to produce more than ample bulblets and divisions to fill the commercial needs. Some other Lycoris are tissue cultured - right Tony ? L. squamigera was long believed, based on morphology and chromosomes, to be a natural hybrid of L. straminea and L. sprengeri. That specific cross was purposely repeated and the resulting plant looked in all points like typical L. squamigera, but the plants were diploid with 2n = 19. Essentially all cultivated L. squamigera are 3n = 27. One problem with this theory is that L. straminea is also believed to be of hybrid origin. Ocassionally L. squamigera will produce a seed in my garden, but there are a variety of other species around that could act as pollinators. I think it is safe to say it is totally self sterile. Tricky stuff here. 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 +