>Regarding the Lycoris sprengeri variation in color, is there some >environmental factor apparently driving the variation? Dear Gastil, Interesting question, but my reply may be a surprise. It is well known that fertility of the soil, pH and developmental temperatures can all influence flower color. Here I think I can rule out all three. These beds have not been fertilized this year, the pH is unaltered, too and the warm temps (very warm temps) are difficult to relate to pigment development temperatures. On the other hand I am fairly certain that all or most of my L. sprengeri are individual seedlings and not a a single clone. So the variation I am seeing is surely genetic variation in a highly variable species. I did not mention in my earlier note that other variable show up too. The width of the petals/tepals and the shape of the flower. Wide petals give a lily like shape, while thinner, narrower tepals make a very open flower. There is some variation in stem height, but this year almost all are dwarfed presumably form lack of water. If I were more intense in measuring and recording, I think I could find other characteristics of the flower stalk that expanded the range of variability, but I think all are simply due to a genetically diverse population of bulbs. > My L. sprengeri seedlings' single leaves from your seeds are 4 to 6 >cm tall. Im not sure how much sun to give them. In the wild I have seen Lycoris growing in fairly dense shade and on the edge of more open woodlands where they get some time in full sun (maybe 1/2 a day), but in cultivation they tolerate a lot more sun as long as they get even moisture year round. Some grow stream side in nature, but these spring streams may retreat in summer. By the way, L. squamigera is such an easy reliable bulb that nothing seems to bother, we can't help but wonder why it is not even more widely grown. It should also be a significant entry to the cut flower market. This is one of the 'back bone' traditional bulbs in this area. 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 +