In the notes to his donations, Bob Werra wrote "It's not too late to plant winterrainfall species." This comment prompts me to ask about something which has long puzzled me. For the last five years or so I've been doing something which has helped me learn a lot about bulbs new to me and therefore of somewhat uncertain culture. The really puzzling ones have mostly been Californians, in particular the West Coast Fritillaria. Here's what I do: when the bulbs arrive from the suppliers, I pack one or two in zip lock plastic bags with a piece of barely moist paper towel and then put the whole thing into the refrigerator. I take them out now and then as time allows and check for signs of life. The primary goal is to see when the bulbs start to produce roots or show other signs of renewed activity. The majority of summer dormant bulbs show signs of life within a week or two. I was pleased this year to see that home grown bulbs of the hybrid Erythronium 'Pagoda' were producing heavy root growth after about two weeks in the refrigerator. Fritillaria affinis, given the same treatment, shows no sign of growth - nor does it show any signs of distress. Fritillaria pudica, on the other hand, shows both extensive root growth and sprout growth. So here's the question: does anyone know when this species (Fritillaria affinis) normally begins root growth? When I've tried this experiment in the past with another species, F. recurva, I lost my nerve at the end of the year and moved the still unrooted bulb to a pot and a cold frame. That was the end of the easy observations, although the bulb eventually sprouted and bloomed the following year. Are there any West Coast bulbs known to delay root growth until late winter and the resumption of leafy growth? Jim McKenney ________________________________ From: Dell Sherk <ds429@comcast.net> To: 'Pacific Bulb Society' <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Saturday, December 1, 2012 1:36 PM Subject: [pbs] Pacific Bulb Society BX 330 Dear All, The items listed below have been donated by our members and friends to be shared. If you are interested in obtaining some of them, please email me PRIVATELY at <ds429@comcast.net>. Include "BX 330" in the subject line. Specify the NUMBERS of the items which you would like; do not specify quantities. It is a good idea to include your snail mail address, too, in case I don't already have it. Availability is based on a first come, first served system. When you receive your seeds/bulbs you will find, included with them, a statement of how much money (usually $2.00/share of seeds or $3 -$5/share of bulbs)(cash, check, or Pay Pal to <pbs.treasury@verizon.net>; no money orders, please) you should send the PBS treasurer. Postage and packaging charges are added. Many of you are subscribers to this pbs elist which is free, but are not members of the Pacific Bulb Society which has a yearly membership charge. THIS BX OFFERING IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO MEMBERS of the Pacific Bulb Society. If you are not a member, consider joining so that you can take advantage of future offers such as this. Go to our website: <http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/> If you would like to donate seeds or bulbs/corms to the PBS,(Donors will receive credit on the BX for the cost of postage for their donations.), please send CLEAN, clearly labeled plant materials to: Dell Sherk 6832 Phillips Mill Rd. New Hope, PA, 18938 USA Non US donors should contact Dell for instructions before sending seeds. I WILL REPLY TO YOU WITHIN 24 HRS OF MY RECEIPT OF YOUR ORDER. IF YOU DO NOT HEAR FROM ME, TRY AGAIN !! From Bob Werra: (SEEDS) Bob says, "It's not too late to plant winter rainfall species." 1. Calochortus amabilis 2. Dichelostemma ida-maia 3. Fritillaria affinis, ex Ukiah, CA 4. Fritillaria liliaceae 5. Gladiolus huttonii 6. Gladiolus priori 7. Moraea ciliata (CORMLETS) 8. Moraea ciliate 9. Moraea elegans 10. Moraea graminicola, ex Eastern Cape, RSA 11. Moraea pendula 12. Moraea polyanthus 13. Moraea polystachya 14. Moraea vegeta 15. Moraea vespertina 16. Moraea villosa 17. Rhodophiala, pink 18. Rhodophiala, dark maroon 19. Sandersonia aurantiaca From Roland de Boer: (SEEDS) 20. Crotolaria capensis 21. Cyclamen hederifolium, mixed pink forms 22. Galtonia viridiflora, tall form 23. Kochia scoparia 24. Leucocoryne purpurea 25. Malcomia maritima 26. Massonia echinata 27. Massonia pustulata 28. Paradisia lusitanicum From Dee Foster: (SEEDS) 29. Eucomis comosa, green/white 30. Eucomis comosa, mixed colors, mostly pink 31. Eucomis cv, dwarf purple flower, green foliage 32. Gloriosa superba (rotschildiana) 33. Veltheimia bracteata, pink 34. Mirabilis jalapa, "Four O'clocks", magenta From Mary Sue Ittner: (all OP) 35. Seed of Amaryllis belladonna, winter growing 36. Seed of Cyrtanthus elatus x montanus, evergreen 37. Bulblets of Cyrtanthus elatus x montanus, evergreen 38. Seed of Eucomis bicolor, summer growing 39. Seed of Nerine bowdenii - confused about when it should grow 40. Seed of Nerine sarninesis hybrid (had red flowers) - winter growing 41. Seed of Nerine sarniensis hybrid (seed from rescue bulb)- winter growing 42. Seeds of Polianthes geminiflora - summer growing Thank you, Bob, Roland, Dee, and Mary Sue !! Best wishes, Dell Dell Sherk, PBS BX