Hello Jim. It sounds like Leo may be able to grow his Calostemma in a way similar to his Hymenocallis: in large pots sitting in 3-4 inches of water in his pond. The main difference is that he would have to remove the pots and store them dry for the summer. Do you think this would work? What are typical day and night temperatures during the growing season for Calostemma? I have a few seedlings (C. lutea), and they seem to grow as long as I keep them watered. I'm growing them indoors, under lights, for now, so they don't see much seasonal variation. Thanks. Eugene Zielinski Augusta, GA > [Original Message] > From: jim lykos <jimlykos@bigpond.com> > To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> > Date: 12/2/2011 1:36:15 AM > Subject: Re: [pbs] Calostemmas > > HI Leo, > > It sounds like you have almost ideal conditions for growing some > Calostemma's in the ground and your mediterranean climate is likely to be a > beneficial factor in providing a natural dry period and dormancy. > Calostemma lutea mainly grows in drainage ditches in flood plain areas, > they grow in black mud and heavy clay soils and in wet years they can > innudated for lengthy periods in standing water. As Rob mentioned in an > earlier email - they need to be grown with a pot in the saucer but not for > the whole year (they lose their leaves and are dormant in winter/spring) - > If pot grown they should be kept dry from late spring mid summer. Its the > presence of rain showers or a short rain storm in mid to late summer after a > period of dryness that initiates flowering. So if you are using pot culture > place a saucer underneath the pot from mid summer. >