On 2 May 03 at 17:02, Mary Sue Ittner wrote: > I'm was glad to read Steve echo my sentiments about T. sprengeri. I > heard it was a really nice late blooming one and twice I've had no > luck with it from seed. A few have come up, but haven't really > gotten beyond that. I was amazed to hear that every seed germinated > in British Columbia. Does tulip seed need to be sown fresh? I got my start from society seed exchange material, but of course you only need one flowering bulb to set off the avalanche. It takes a while to reach flowering size from seed; it's not quick in that regard. The seedlings mature more quickly if planted out than if kept in a pot. In your foggy N. California coastal climate, a slightly raised location might be advisable. But let me praise Tulipa sprengeri. It is a beautiful plant, completely distinctive, and I would miss it if I lost it. The flowers are smallish, and brilliantly red, and come at the end of the tulip season when all the rest are just memories. A wonderful plant if you don't mind volunteers. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada "To co-work is human, to cow-ork, bovine."