Dear Georgie, Very many thanks for your helpful comments. This seed came from a friend in the UK and was sown only about 2 months ago. It was watered immediately and I assume this caused the recent germination. I am trying to grow many of the western frits from seed, and have some species almost to flowering size - I hope I can do the same with this treasure ! Thanks again for your advice, much appreciated as I remain relatively ignorant of the subtleties of some of these plants in habitat. Regards, J. Dr John T Lonsdale 407 Edgewood Drive, Exton, Pennsylvania 19341, USA Phone 610 594 9232 Fax 801 327 1266 Visit "Edgewood" - The Lonsdale Garden at http//http://www.johnlonsdale.net/ Zone 6b