Justin's amusing and accurate -- aside from the species name! -- email reminded me of my Lachenalia dilemma. I have two very happy species (aloides and liliiflora) in pots that I'd like to put in the ground. I have tried this before, with a hybrid called 'Elizabeth' I think, and slugs ended my experiment before I could evaluate it. So: does anyone grow Lachenalia outdoors in Mediterranean climates plagued with gastropods? How do you do it? Best, Max Withers Oakland CA Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:37:21 -0500 From: Justin Smith <oothal@hotmail.com> Subject: [pbs] uncanny smarts from a very dumb bulb ... Today the north wind was blowing in a nice cool breeze. So I started potting up some bulbs that had outgrown their pot last winter. I had them tucked away in my house for the constant temp and humidity free climate. Lachenalia uridiflora, their name tag showed. When I looked inside the paper bag I noticed that they had already started to sprout. If they had a voice I think they would say that I was too slow at getting them into some soil. ... Justin Woodville, TX 8b/9a