Hymenocallis--TOW Part 2 Cultivation of Spider Lilies - True spider lilies belong to the genus Hymenocallis. These can be artificially divided into 3 categories (Tropical, Mexican, and southeastern United States) for cultivation purposes. Tropical species are those from the West Indies/Caribbean and also parts of eastern Mexico to Panama and northern South America. These are typically the larger species that offset prolifically, such as H. latifloia, H. carribbeae, H. expansa, H. tubiflora, H. speciosa, etc...These typically prefer large pots (5 gallons or larger) or to be grown in the open ground (if in tropical /subtropical location). No dormancy period is required for these. The plants from the SE US are mostly wetland plants (with the exception of H. occidentalis). Several species are riverine plants (H. rotata, H. franklinensis, H. coronaria...). Others are found in swamps, sloughs, bogs and ditches like H. crassifolia, & H. liriosme. To cultivate these successfully over time, they must be grown in large tubs flooded routinely, or grown in a pond or stream bank. I grow many of mine in my son's old swimming pool and flood it/drain it almost daily. Others are associated with the seasonally flooded prairies (H. godfreyi & H. puntagordensis). Others are linked to the hydricity of pine flatwoods (H. henryae & H. palmeri). These both prefer wet soils that dry out periodically. With the exception of H. puntagordensis and an undescribed species from central Florida, the other 14 SE US species go dormant in the winter and break dormancy before spring. The Mexican species are less often cultivated. Those in southern California and Texas would do better with these species. H. maxamilianii is commonly grown, as is H. acutifolia. There is rich diversity amongst the Mexican species (from petiolate leaves as in H. glauca, H. harrisiana, H. eucharidifolia to lorate, or strap shaped leaves). These are deciduous for a longer period than the other groups. Most Mexican species are just beginning growth in April through early May here in Florida. Perhaps some California and Australian growers could chime in here and let us all know what kind of cycles your plants are on. In order to breed spider lilies, the filament, which holds the anther above, can be removed and used to pollinate other flowers when they are blooming simultaneously. Alternately the anthers may be removed and (pollen) can be stored in a plastic vial in the refrigerator and may be used to pollinate other spider lilies (of the same species or different ones). Kevin Preuss