On 10 Nov 05 at 9:22, Paul Tyerman wrote: [Sulphur? Sulfur? Sulfa? Huh?] [I hope you don't mind my highly condensed paraphrase of your message.] Sulphur and sulfur are the same thing, just spelled differently, like honour and honor for example. Many such simplified spellings are due to American lexicographer Noah Webster, who put them forward in his influential early nineteenth century dictionary. Not all of his proposed simplifications took; "tho" is rarely used for "though" these days. Sulfa is the name of a class of antibacterial drugs that came online in the 1930's, predating what we normally antibiotics. They were the first systemic antibacterials that worked and some of them are still used in some circumstances. ObBulbs, reverting to the recent discussion/dispute/argument/ catfight over saffron and other fall-blooming crocuses: In some climates, fall-blooming crocuses have the disadvantage of being badly knocked about by the weather. C. speciosus is a particular offender with its long, slender, delicate floral tubes. For many years I've grown fall blooming crocus just withing the dripline of a large conifer, a golden Thuja occidentalis at my old house, an Alberta blue spruce[*] here, sited so they catch the sun as much as possible. The conifer overhead acts like an umbrella to reduce rain damage and the display is less beat-up looking in consequence. Another solution is to grow your fall crocuses amidst low twiggy shrubbery that will support them in the face of wind and rain. Neither solution is 100% perfect, but I *do* get a decent show from a mixed planting of Cc. speciosus, niveus, and nudiflorus along the front walk of my house. [*] Alberta blue spruce: for once, I haven't a clue what the proper name of a plant is. Those of you put off by my cry "use the proper names!" can now indulge in schadenfreude. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate on beautiful Vancouver Island