Dear Jim McK and all I can unequivocally state Lycoris are NOT in need of summer dry or summer baking and that they suffer from extended drought any time during their growing seasons. L. radiata is essentially a weed of rice paddies and swamp edges. I have seen a number of species grown in wet soil immediately near flowing water. Most species are native to regions with summer rain fall either monsoon rains, or just scattered summer storms. In pots, Lycoris need regular watering or they will dry out, shrink bulb size, loose roots and die - not necessarily in that order. This year we have had a very wet spring to the start of summer, but as Lycoris bloom season approached, we entered an extended dry hot period that covered a large part of the US. Lycoris bloom has been way under typical and spotty at best. Established beds throw up a few stalks here and there and a few more days or a week later, but none of the major displays. In local gardens that have automated sprinklers (evidenced by green lawns), the common L. squamigera is blooming happily in abundance. AND L. aurea is one of the most mis-Ided of any Lycoris species. The true species is the largest in the genus with foliage over an inch in width and up to a yard long. It is also quite succulent in texture and almost 100 % frost damaged. In any climate with extended frost and no protection, the leaves will be damaged or killed, the bulbs are much less likely to flower etc. L. aurea is also quite variable. Kurita, the Japanese expert on the genus has identified 5 cytoraces with a 2n equal to 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Some of these are anatomically distinct. I suspect some may have more hardiness. AS a fertile species, seedlings may vary also in their adaptability to specific sites. There are other hardier yellow flowered Lycoris that can be confused with L. aurea. These range fro slightly tender to bone hardy. L. traubii L. chinensis (and yellow hybrids with L. longituba and L. longituba flava) L. caldwellii L. anhuiensis (rare in cultivation) And there may well be L. aurea hybrids produced in Japan and distributed commercially. Due to its essentially frost intolerance, the true species is not widely grown successfully. Any help? 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 +