Hello All, Callistemon (Australian bottle brushes) are said to require exposure to fire for germination. Callistemon salignus and C.subulata germinated very well for me this year by covering seed lightly with a 50/50 mix of seed compost and fine bonfire ashes. Bonfire mainly wood and perennial weeds, covered with layer of clay or clayey soil (which will have plenty of iron compounds present). I usually store the fines for a few months before use. I have not tried this with any bulbs. Worth a try? Though I believe some of you live in areas where bonfires are frowned upon, to say the least. Alternatively, try the ashes from your wood-burning fires indoors, but I suggest expose to air for a few weeks first. Regards Hamish -----Original Message----- From: Diane Whitehead [smtp:///voltaire@islandnet.com] Sent: 24 August 2005 16:24 To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: Re: [pbs] Watsonias & fire. Has anybody tried some of the "liquid smoke" that is sold in grocery stores to give food a barbecued taste?