A few days ago, Robert inquired if the roots of a bulb, had anything to do with the initiation of flowering. I do not think so. It would seem that when needed chemical changes have taken place in the parent bulb, it will flower. Such changes can be brought about by cooling during the dormant period, or by being exposed to higher temperatures or by a combination of both for determined periods of time. Or the availabilty of moisture. As an example, a Lilium bulb, after prolonged cold temperatures will, without light, and still in cold storage, produce a flowering stem. Certain bulbs, such as Arum cornutum, the Voodoo Lily, will flower without any roots being produced. Just exactly what changes do take place to promote flowering I do not think have been determined. What we do know is that such changes are the result of varying temperatures being given, and for quite exact periods and in certain sequences. Perhaps there are papers on this subject, i.e. just what changes do take place, but I have not read any. No doubt there is a link between such as takes place to induce Hedera helix, as an example to produce flowering (adult) shoots. Such is also perhaps related why apple trees fruit at a certain age. If such chemicals could be determined, innoculants could be produced to speed such changes. Cheers, John E. Bryan