Friends, Here's a story of Fritillaria persica. In fall of 2001 I planted 4 mature/flowering size bulbs of the typical Dutch form. All came up and bloomed the next spring. 3 of the bulbs were planted in a rough row about 2-4 ft apart on a sunny, hot west facing slope, the fourth in a semi-shaded well drained spot. I have fussed over their decline in bloom and increase in non-flowering stems so thought it was time to dig them all and see what was going on underground. Only 1 stem bloomed poorly this spring although there were many more non-flowering stems. They have been fully dormant for weeks. Bulb 1 in a shaded site yielded 9 egg size bulbs. Bulb 2 (1 of 3) died after a couple years in the ground Bulb 3 (2 of 3) yielded 19 bulbs of various sizes, but clearly none as large as my original mature bulbs. Most bulbs were egg-size or one size larger and a few ping pong ball size. Bulb 4 (3 of 3) produced 29 bulbs from ping pong size to blooming size. These are from the clump that produced a single blooming stem. In all cases the bulbs were literally in a tight concise pile, touching bulb-to-bulb or on top of each other. A total of 57 bulbs in 6 growing seasons. The bulbs in the shade were literally sitting on and restricted by a large silver maple tree root. If a bulb is capable of doubling each year a single bulb after 6 growing season could multiply to 32 bulbs. One of my bulbs came close with 29 bulbs. My guess that they had multiplied and depleted nutrients seems well founded. I plan on replanting a couple in the old sites after fortifying the soil, planting as few elsewhere in the garden and finding homes for the others. Of course a few were injured in the digging process. These will go back into the ground and marked to see how they progress. I have already given a few to local gardening friends. As an interesting note, something I was not sure of, but all bulbs had declining roots that either fell or came loose easy. Fully dormant bulbs seem to be devoid of root activity. Hopefuly the largest bulbs will bloom better in fresh soil and I'll have to remember to dig and divide in less than 6 years- maybe 3 or 4. Now if more bulbs would just do as well. Anyone have similar numbers to share? Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +