I just lifted a large number of Colchicums which I need to move, and I used a fork and cut only one bulb. However, they were in rows and growing very close to the surface. Incidentally, some of them showed signs of the basal rot that Janer mentioned. I think that they may have needed better drainage. Dell -- Dell Sherk, SE PA US Zone 6. Amaryllids, South Americans, Cyrtanthus, Hardy bulbs, succulents and cactus, gesneriads.