Sorry if I offended anyone, but you've got to title these things so people will read them. I was just wondering if any of the California readers (or others) are growing Amaryllis belladonna. I have a large number of bulbs in my back yard, most from the late and very genorous Les Hannibal. The first two have just sent up their flower spikes. Checking on my records, this is about a week later than last year, but I don't get the same plants blooming every year. Does anyone else have bloom reports? In the past, the blooms have started in southern California and worked their way north. I see Sue H. had them in bloom on 8/1, but haven't seen any other reports in the week I've been lurking. Mike San Jose, CA (zone 9, min temp 20F) PS: For the benefit of those who were not on the IBS list, let me introduce myself. I live beyond the south end of San Francisco bay, in a house that has a big but steeply sloping back yard. On part of that slope, I have about 700 8-inch plastic pots in which I mistreat a bunch of summer-dormant bulbs. Oxalis, Lachenalia, Moraea, Calochortus, Romulea, Babiana, Geissorhiza, Nerine, Gladiolus, and a lot of other stuff. I'd like to get more Chilean bulbs, but haven't found a good source. In addition to struggling with finding the best ways to grow these things, I fight an endless battle with ground squirrels and other rodents who love to eat out of the pots. Look forward to conversing with all of you.