Matt's comments remind me to check my own Lachenalia. Both L. viridiflora and L. rubida are in bloom. These are usually the first two Lachenalia to bloom here. Interestingly, one pot of L. rubida bloomed over a month ago; now the pot sitting right next to it has flowered. Lachenalia are tender winter growing bulbs that generally increase like weeds, by offsetting. They provide a nice touch of color in the greenhouse all through winter, each species blooming in its turn. L. aloides quadricolor are especially colorful when they bloom later in the winter. The multiple hues in their blooms are quite cheery on a dull winter day. Two things the Lachenalia need that make them a little difficult: 1. They need lots of bright, direct sunlight, else they tend to get very leggy; and 2. They don't want to be too warm. A cold, just barely frost-free greenhouse would probably suit them best. I think they would get enough sunshine in a south-facing window (here in the Northern Hemisphere) but our houses are probably much too warm for them in winter. Does anyone grow them indoors in winter? How do they take the conditions? Do some do better indoors than others? Jim Shields in very cold central Indiana (USA) where it is +12°F (or -11°C) this morning At 08:43 PM 12/4/2005 -0500, you wrote: >In my Massachusetts greenhouse, I do have a Haemanthus albiflos in bloom, a >first for me, as well as two pots of Lachenalia viridiflora.......... > >Matt Mattus >Worcester. Massachusetts >USDA Zone 5 >Where it is snowing today, 4 inches, and 28 degrees F. ************************************************* Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd. P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/ Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA