It would not hurt to dust the basal plate with rooting powder (Indole butyric acid). If you do this after watering the substrate and avoid bathing the bulb when watering for a while it will help reluctant rooting Hippeastrum. I've had to do this with multiple bulbs shipped from Komoriya in Japan. -- Dr. Ellen Chernoff, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biology IUPUI-Biology SL 360 723 W. Michigan St. Indianapolis, IN 46202-5132 317-274-0591