Hello Ina (and PBS) Did the bulbs you have in pots, and the bulbs growing in the ground, come from different sources? The general opinion on Cyrtanthus elatus is that some strains flower rather freely while other strains flower rarely or not at all. Many of the vallota bulbs that were commercially available in the US in the past 10 years apparently came from the latter strains. That's been my personal experience, anyway. You can check the PBS archives (accessed through the pbs list on the PBS website) for a number of comments on Cyrtanthus elatus that refuse to flower. Incidentally, if any US member of this list is still growing the non-flowering strain, I may be interested in obtaining a bulb from you. Please let me know off line. (Thanks.) Eugene Zielinski Augusta, GA USA > [Original Message] > From: Ina > Date: 8/27/2009 9:06:58 PM > Subject: [pbs] re Cyrtanthus elatus or Valotta Speciosa > > This bulb is so easy to grow, but what are the secrets to getting it to > flower? I have one in the garden, in a corner with a concrete path in > front and concrete steps alongside, which flowers faithfully every year, > but the 2 plants I have in pots, have never shown any sign of > flowering. And have had them for about 4 years now. > > Ina Crossley > > Auckland New Zealand Zone 9-10 > _______________________________________________