Fred, I'm intrigued by your comments. I've always assumed that the main reason that Nerine bowdenii does as well as it does here in the esat is that it produces its foliage in the spring and it's there and growing all summer. When the cold weather arrives, the foliage dies but the underground bulbs survive and - we all hope - bloom. The Nerine sarniensis hybrids I've had have all been winter growers. And in my experience, the foliage is not at all freeze tolerant. Planted outside for the winter, the foliage attempts to grow but gets cut back with each heavy freeze - and I'm several hundred miles south of you. Amaryllis belladonna shows the same growth pattern - and although its foliage seems to be a bit more cold tolerant, it's not cold tolerant enough to survive even a mild winter exposed to the air here. Sooner or later there will be a cold snap which takes it down to the ground again. I hope you will be able to post a picture of this Nerine sarniensis hybrid which survived the winter for you - and that there will be an experienced Nerine enthusiast out there who will be able to identify it. Now let's change topics a bit. I have a Nerine sarniensis hybrid here which is grown as a pot plant. It's been outside all summer kept as dry as possible and roasting in the sun. Although it has not been watered for months, it seems to be producing new foliage. Should I start watering it now? Last year I think it bloomed in late October and November. Any comments anyone? Jim McKenney Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where in a good year there is a Nerine echo of the Lycoris season. -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of arlen jose Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 6:17 PM To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: [pbs] Nerine Sarnienses Hybrids Hello All, I just wanted to know if any body else in the other parts of the U.S. (zones 7, 6 and 5) have had any luck with the hybrids of Nerine sarnienses. I was poking around in the garden and I noticed that the Nerine I planted last year not only survived but are in the process of sending up spikes. I have had Nerine bowdenii for many years without any problems, except for it's notorious habit of blooming quite late and sometimes being nipped by an early frost. I'm quite curious what color these will be and also to hear if any one else has experienced this rather beautiful late season charmer in their "colder" gardens. Warm Regards, Fred Biasella Cambridge (Boston) MA USDA Zone 6b _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php