Jane wrote: "Some other kinds of bulbs do this too, particularly Calochortus and Erythronium, but they don't fail to make bulbs the first year as far as I have noticed." This is my experience also. These bulbs seem willing to form bulbs whenever they 'realise' no further downward growth is possible. Some Australian terrestrial orchids do likewise. So I expected Leontice to be similar but it appears they really do want that extra depth. Sorry - haven't worked out how to quote properly yet and the sun is sining (a rare event this winter) so I want to get out in the garden! Darren Sleep darren@fairhaven45.plus.com