Mike Mace wrote: > This Amaryllis discussion reminds me of the old saying that the only thing > you can ever truly say about gardening technique is "here's what works for > me." > > I am not sure that any of us have answered your actual question: >>> My question is: when are the bulbs large enough to survive outside in > zone 8? Two inches wide? Or? > > I've found that many Amaryllids, and > especially the Belladonna hybrids, are incredibly tough. As in, you could > set off a bomb under one of them, it flies through the air for a couple of > miles, lands upside down and smoking, and it'll probably sprout the next > season. > > So, if you ask me, I'd go ahead and plant out those seedlings, and make sure > they are in a very sunny spot that nevertheless has some frost protection -- > but don't do it until this autumn. > MIke, Thanks for your comments. Yes, no one else answered my question, but as usual, I learned other interesting things about this species. I will replant them in larger pots, and put them back in the cold frame this fall, and see if I can keep them growing strongly for another year or two. This is very helpful, especially as the place they will go is sunny, but occupied by bulbs that I need to dig out and remove. Now I have a great reason to keep them out of that bed for another year or two while I clean up their final home! Procrastination is a wonderful thing. I enjoyed your comment about setting a bomb off under them. I transplanted my original plants a few years ago in midsummer when they were dormant, and did not give them much care when digging up. They went into their new location, bloomed that year, and then just kept going. At least in my garden, they seem somewhat bombproof. Cheers, Kathleen Kathleen Sayce PNW Coast, WHZ 8, dryish cool summers & mild wet winters