Prior to Google Images serving up screensful of flower pictures, I relied on Clive Innes' book, The World of Iridaceae, to help me decide which bulb seeds to buy. I decided against any flowers that are fugaceous, as I had been so disappointed with one, name now forgotten, which flowered one morning while I was at work, and that was it. All I saw was one withered flower. Therefore, despite my fascination with the ornate architecture of Cypella herbertii, I never tried to grow it. I admired a pot of it on display at our June alpine garden meeting, and the grower gave me the pot. I put it on the display shelf beside my shady front door, and it has been flowering ever since. That is six weeks that I have had it, and I don't know how long it had been flowering before I received it. It seems to have more buds to come, too. The flowers are just as exotic looking as its photos (not always the case), and last all day and into the evening. It is discreet about its dead flowers which drop away on their own. What a great plant! I've just noticed that the leaves are brown, so I don't know whether I should cease watering now, or wait until it finishes flowering and the several seedpods are ripe. Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada maritime zone 8 cool mediterranean climate (dry summer, rainy winter)