Dear All, Some time ago I think it was Diane Whitehead who told us about Ian Young's web page where he writes weekly updates about what is going on in his bulb houses complete with pictures. He is in Scotland and I really liked the site. I had meant to go there every week, but have gotten busy (surprise) and forgotten. But one of our new members jogged my memory and the latest has a stunning picture of Scoliopus biglovii which he is obviously growing to perfection. http://srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2004/… There are also some gorgeous crocus and Narcissus (right on topic) images in this week's page. I decided to write him as one bulb enthusiast to another and see if he'd help me with my Scoliopus and he has responded to my delight. Since mine are all finally coming up and I haven't lost them I hope I can now get it right. As we have talked on this list numerous times, some things just don't want to be completely dry in dormancy, even when in this case they won't have any rain between May and September most years. Here's what he said: "We have grown Scoliopus biglovii since about 1987 when we received a small plant from a great old grower. All the plants that we now have been raised from our own collected seed from this original and subsequent seedlings. It takes us on average 4 years from seed to flowers - last years seed is just germinating now. The compost we use is a free draining loam based compost with some extra leaf litter to add humus. We grow the seedlings in deep polystyrene (Styrofoam) boxes as they like a deep root run. I get the feeling that you are getting them too hot and dry in the summer, they hate that. We keep them cool and moist in summer - this is not difficult as that is what a Scottish summer usually is. They can withstand long dry periods in the summer but it sets them back and they never seem to progress to flowering size. I think that you are going to have to water them through the summer and give them as much depth as you can as their roots will easily go down 50cms in search of moisture." Mary Sue Mary Sue Ittner California's North Coast Wet mild winters with occasional frost Dry mild summers