Greetings, The rock planting is more to provide a good background for the distichous V of leaves than anything (the rock retains a bedding mound behind and above the bulb). I imagine the extra heat does keep the bulb warm on cooler nights (and days) though. -|<ipp > Dear Kim,Very exciting. I like the way you have it planted beside a large rock. Is this to give it reserves of heat? or to plant as in nature? I will plant mine this way too eventually.