I have grown all of these species, and I germinate all except C. flexuosus and C. striatus in the refrigerator in damp vermiculite, putting them in ziplock bags. I start them around October. Some, like C. kennedyi, germinate very rapidly, others like C. ambiguus take up to three months. After germination, sow them in a very free draining mix, and cover with coarse sand. It's not germinating them that is the problem, it is keeping them once germinated. They all need dry conditions, low humiditity, free draining medium, and are still prone to fungal diseases, although you have an advantage in Nevada. They do not like heat. So, I would sow them in the refrigerator, then put your pots outside in very well ventilated conditions, not exposed to full sun. Good luck. Diana Telos Rare Bulbs ----- Original Message ----- From: "Donald Barnett" <rakkasanbarnett@gmail.com> To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 10:22 AM Subject: [pbs] Germinating Desert Calochortus species? > To whom can help, > > I was hoping someone could give me some advice or steps to > germinating Desert Calochortus species. I have heard they are very > difficult > to start. In the past 2 years I have collected seeds of the following > species. > > Calochortus flexuosus > C. kennedyi > C. nuttallii > C. aureus > C. ambiguus > C. striatus > > I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and would like some information on germinating > these beautiful desert gems? > > Thanks, > Rakkasan > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/