Brian, it's been years since I've played with Eremurus seedlings. But I seem to remember that the seeds germinate hypogeally and what looks like a seed leaf is in fact the first true leaf. If so, that accounts for its size and persistence. You can resolve my uncertainty yourself easily: look at the recently germinated seeds with the leaf: at the bottom of the leaf, can you see the remains of the seed, still attached to the roots? If so, that leaf is the first true leaf and not a seed leaf. If not so, then Jim has a bad memory. Jim McKenneyMontgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, still in the grips of winter. _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/