Cameron McMasterDoug Westfall africanbulbs@haznet.co.za1111 Claiborne Dr. Long Beach, CA Rhoda, Thanks for your comments and observations on Veltheimia. Here in So. California, V. capensis and V deasii bloom, roughly, in December - the winter. They can be grown in mostly sand. V. bracteata bloom, rorghly, from the end of January to early March - late winter. (Bulbs that I have received from Australia seem to have a different schedule.) Your observation equate very closely with mine. They grow very well in the shade of a tree so long as there is good drainage as on a slope. Doug