> >This is fascinating, but who do you know that has actually tried to >grow the real, wild-collected species? Dear Tony, I have corresponded with Dr. Tanaka who has travelled to southern S. America to collect seeds. He has gone to extraordinary lengths, but last I heard has been unable to get C. liliiflora to bloom. I think he collected a quantity of seed and they have a long shelf life. I think he would welcome a potential grower. I wonder if the Atlanta Botanical Garden with their alpine tropical room would be able to grow this to flowering. I belive he has also seen collected and tried C. iridiflora. Parts of New Zealand may hold the right climate to try these. Best Jim -- 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 +