I have to say, based on my own personal experience over the years, that in general Amaryllidaceae seedlings are set back by transplanting in the first few years. Exceptions, besides Ina's rain lilies, include Clivia. Seriously set back by any disturbance in the first 3 to 5 years are Haemanthus, perhaps the most sensitive amaryllid genus to transplantation. I think this discussion started on Tropaeolum pentaphyllum seedlings, about which I know nothing except that they are supposed to be very tricky to grow successfully. Jim Shields At 08:21 AM 4/27/2012 +0100, you wrote: >As I said Ina, both you and I can successfully transplant seedling bulbs >during their first cycle of growth. > >That does not stop it being more risky to the plant than waiting for >dormancy and a bulb with energy reserves to have formed. > >Until then the root tip and attached cells (root hairs) are all the bulb >has to preserve its existence. these 'hairs are single cells and look like >a 'Fuzz' on the roots. They are usually at right angles to the root and >only one cell each. they are extremely fragile. > >Habranthus tubispathus may be fast enough growing for you to handle in >three months, but you are evidently both good at growing these plants and >have ideal conditions for them. Remember others may not be so lucky. > >I maintain that sound advice for someone learning to grow new seeds is >better that risky advice which the skilled or experienced person may get >away with. > > >On Fri, Apr 27, 2012 at 4:30 AM, Ina <klazina@orcon.net.nz> wrote: > > > Peter, Habranthus tubispathus, by the time it has grown a couple of > > months as I suggested, it has developed quite a root system, and has a > > good grip on the growing medium. > > > > > > > > >_______________________________________________ >pbs mailing list >pbs@lists.ibiblio.org >http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php >http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ ************************************************* Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/ Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA Lat. 40° 02.8' N, Long. 086° 06.6' W