I have always kept these bulbs in the ground only taking them up because someone wants them. They bloom every year with no problems. I live inland in Zone 21 per Sunset book of Southern California. Cynthia Mueller <c-mueller@tamu.edu> wrote: Mary Sue said, " Cynthia, perhaps you should save yourself the effort and leave yours in the ground this year and report back what happens the following year." I did leave my Scilla peruviana in the ground for 2-3 years, but then took it up for the last several years. When in the ground it skipped a season or two, hasn't done this since it was baked in the garage. One year it sat on a cardboard beerbox lid in a closet in the house - so that it would not get too hot - and flowered the next season. I was trying to see what might kill off the stimulus for flower stalks to form - too much heat, or too much dryness. My main bulb is made up of what I suppose are individual offsets fused together into a mass the size of a dinner plate. Alberto was commenting that the roots should be permanent on this species, and having to make them over again is a lot of unnecessary work for the plant. Roots are still there when I take the plants up, then dry up while they are resting. I'll report back next year! Cynthia Mueller College Station, TX Zone 8b-9 _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php Ann Marie So. California, San Gabriel Valley, Zone 21 (Sunset Western Garden book) , influenced by both marine and interior air(Santa Ana winds). This makes it perfect for Citrus trees and most So African plants. I collect belladonnas, oxalis, criniums, amaryllis, palms, epiphyllums, succulents and other south african bulbs. For home and garden sculptures go to http://www.rjunkdrawer.com/ --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term'