Alberto (and others that replied), thanks very much for your experiences. I went ahead and lifted two of largest of the six clumps of sternbergia that I have. These were within a foot of each other (when originally planted)...so you'd think conditions would be very similar. One clump had about 4 bulbs in it. One clump had about 25 bulbs in it (that was the one with bulbs on top of the soil). Needless to say, I divided them and replanted (with very little root damage I think...as the roots were only 4-5 inches and basically non-branched yet) somewhat deeper than originally. If in 5 years, all the divisions have multiplied like that ONE, I may be donating sternbergias somewhere. As it is, they're all most welcome in the garden. From previous years, I think only that one clump was mad to propagate (and the bulbs are of good size and do flower). Thanks Danny ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alberto Castillo" <ezeizabotgard@hotmail.com> To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 10:56 AM Subject: Re: [pbs] Sternbergia lutea division? > Dear Danny: > Your Sternbergias must be moved immediately after > flowering is over as bulbs protruding from the ground can't be more > different than conditions for these plants in Nature. I have learnt a lot > from Angleo Porcelli, a great guy from S. Italy and it was a surprise to > learn that Sternbergia (and Pancratium, among many others) have their > bulbs very deep in the ground, well over a foot or more. I subsequently > adjusted my growing conditions for them and they have done a lot better. > > Regards > Alberto > Argentina, zone 9 in winter, zone 10 in summer, year round rains > > _________________________________________________________________ > MSN Amor: busca tu ½ naranja http://latam.msn.com/amor/ > > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.23/99 - Release Date: 9/12/2005