In a message dated 10/5/2005 7:50:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jimmckenney@starpower.net writes: explain the curious behavior of Nerine bowdenii in our climate - it blooms late in the season, if at all. In other words, it blooms after it gets a cold period Nerine bowdenii (of no special provenance) is in bloom here now, prior to any cold period. To initiate bloom, sometime in mid August, slip a garden fork under the bulbs and gently pop them loose from the soil. Mature bulbs should send up a spike several weeks later, in time to bloom before heavy frosts. Mark Mazer Intarsia Ltd. Gaylordsville, Connecticut 06755-0142 USA