Early on it was suggested that items for the BX be labeled as summer growing, winter growing or evergreen. People don't always give that information to Dell and he can't be expected to look it up. It's helpful to check yourself if that information is not listed in the BX offerings as that will help you sort out whether you need to pot right away. A lot of us who live in climates like yours Elaine have found that potting Oxalis in August and watering then, especially for the fall bloomers is helpful. Getting them started later can mean they won't bloom. Since the Bay Area often has its warmest temperatures in September and October, another guide is not to water winter growers on days that it is warm but wait until it is foggy and/or cool in those months. I generally let the weather influence when I start to water native bulbs and some from Chile that emerge later, but water South African bulbs earlier. If what you receive from the BX is small (some of us give bulblets or cormlets), having some material around them to keep them from drying out is helpful. Larger items do well in paper bags in our cooler summer temperatures. Paper is better than plastic so items can breathe. And if you don't plant them right away look at them from time to time and if you see signs of activity (roots, shoots), pot them up immediately. One size does not fit all. And a lot of us have learned from experience that what someone else suggests may or may not work in our situation. I expect you'll get different answers and learn what is best for you. One year I couldn't find one of my paper bags of tulip bulbs that I store dry until I prechill them late October. I looked everywhere, but no luck. The following year I found them so they had remained in a paper bag for 1 1/2 years. Some of the smaller ones looked like they were goners, but some of the bigger ones looked possible. I thought I had nothing to lose so I potted them up at the same time I potted the rest of my tulips. They didn't bloom that year, but did put up leaves and bloomed the following year. I was glad I didn't chuck them out. I might also suggest that you consult the wiki. Mike Mace gathered together some excellent guides on growing bulbs from others and from his own experience. http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/… Mary Sue Mary Sue Ittner California's North Coast Wet mild winters with occasional frost Dry mild summers