Thanks, Mike. It is a perennial problem for me, limiting the number of new bulb species I can get seedlings from each year. I have had success with fresh seed sent directly by friends from elsewhere (South Africa and Australia). I have also had Australian seed (not from bulbs) last for years with decent germination rates. I am talking here of seed that is not of the known difficult sorts. The sources of seed have all been good. The degree of freshness is more variable, I suspect. I am not referring to members of the Amaryllidaceae, which if sent fresh, is never a problem, I've found. But, my ears remain open for gems of wisdom. Andrew San Diego