Arnold wrote: "I think Jim M. may have mentioned that when the bulb pushes up from the soil it is a sure sign that flowering is on the way. As I uncovered the bulb from its winter mulch the bulb had pushed up three to four inches." Actually, Arnold, what I was calling attention to is a characteristic of the growth habit of Cardiocrinum cordatum. Young, non-blooming plants produce leaves all of which seem to come directly from the bulb (seemingly acauline in botany-speak). Blooming plants, on the other hand, start out with leaves at ground level; later, the annual stem below the false whorl of leaves elongates. It was this elongation of the annual stem below the false whorl which signals bloom in this species. As a result of the elongation of the annual stem below the false whorl, the foliage is lifted eight to ten inches above the ground: at this stage the plants suggest a Hosta on a stick. Several weeks after attaining this stage, the annual stem again elongates, this time above the false whorl. This secondary elongation above the false whorl initiates the development of the inflorescence. I don't grow mature Cardiocrinum giganteum (although my young plant has come back strongly this year), so I have no idea if it goes through the same two tiered growth stage before blooming. I don't recall having seen this two tiered growth pattern described in the literature for C. giganteum, and photographs of flowering plants do not show whorled foliage - so it's unlikely that this two tiered growth pattern occurs in C. giganteum. Arnold, maybe you will be able to answer this question later this year. Congratulations on flowering this amazing plant. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@starpower.net Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where Cardiocrinum cordatum, which produced two flowering stems last year, has returned as two smaller, non-flowering rosettes this year. -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of arnold@nj.rr.com Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 9:37 AM To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org Subject: [pbs] cardiocrinum As a follow up to an image I posted last year on the wiki wiki, I can report that it looks like the cardiocrinum I have grown is going to flower this year. The new growth is in the form of a stalk that is pushing straight up and at this point is about twelve inches tall. There are heart shaped leaves attached, clutching close to the stem. I think Jim M. may have mentioned that when the bulb pushes up from the soil it is a sure sign that flowering is on the way. As I uncovered the bulb from its winter mulch the bulb had pushed up three to four inches. It was planted as a two year old from Heronswood Nursery before the nursery was sold. Sadly I can't post an image. My digital camera was the victim of a loan to a friend and didn't make it back in operating condition. Any recommendations on a good replacement will be greatly appreciated. Please post privately to Arnold@nj.rr.com Arnold _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php