A leading theory on the tendency of some Fritillaria species to produce
many tiny bulblets ("rice grains") is that it's an adaptation to
predation by digging animals. When the main bulb is dug and eaten, the
little bulblets are spread throughout the disturbed soil and can grow on
in a well-tilled, nutrient-rich medium. This theory also is mentioned in
connection with such genera as Brodiaea and Camassia, which are dug and
eaten by bears, and were also important foods for indigenous people.
There is no benefit that I've ever noticed from leaving the bulblets
attached to the parent bulb. They do produce a mass of small leaves, but
whether the photosynthesis from these leaves nourishes the main bulb at
all is unclear.

Jane McGary, Portland, Oregon, USA

On 9/19/2018 3:23 AM, Brian Whyer via pbs wrote:

were told to pour the bulblets round the parent bulbs when repotting,
suggesting the parent(s) would benefit from this. I have never seen any
reasoning behind this; but vaguely assumed that with an annual growth
replacement bulb, the decaying bulblets will feed the larger bulb(s).
Whether there is anything more scientific than this I don't know.
Extra availability of nutrients should override this and you should get at
least the same number of bulblets at the end of the season. Although this
is, I presume, less relevant with annual root growth and annual repotting;
mycrorhizal links between the roots systems may play a part in this too.
Extra roots "dropping" improve drainage too I guess, if this is beneficial
or a potential problem.

from second hand hurricanes. Only the Colchicums, which have no roots yet,
seem to not worry and are exceptional this year. (until they get blown over)

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