Thanks for adding more information to this current discussion of Lachenalia. I'd like to say something about my experience with these plants, something directed to those in cold winter areas who have not tried them. Years ago I pretty much gave up on attempting to raise flowering plants in the house. Some, such as the familiar Hippeastrum hybrids, are reliable. But most others (think Freesia, Ixia, Sparaxis, Leucocoryne, tazetta daffodils) seemed to run into problems: the warmth and dry air in the house caused the flower buds of some to abort, the resulting plants generally declined under household conditions, and the whole operation seemed to go downhill only. Not so with Lachenalia. I start these outside and then bring them in to grow under fluorescent lights. The ones I've tried really seem to do well - they get better rather than worse. They multiply and then bloom again the next year. Maybe this is just beginner's luck, but I'm encouraged by what I see so far. So if you've thought about trying them, but have had the same sort of experiences I've had with other plants, give them a try. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7 My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/ Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/ Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/