Hi all, Well, we have accumulated quite a list of factors that may influence blooming in various species. What I've gleaned from the discussion so far: 1. Maturity 2. Photoperiod 3. Moisture 4. Temperature 5. Fire/smoke 6. Changes in weather (i.e., barometric pressure changes, ionization of the air, presence of nitrogen oxides from lightning, rain itself) Did I overlook or forget anything? The same factors that influence flowering can also influence seed germination as well. We should probably keep in mind that any plants that have been grown in cultivation for many generations are likely to lose their dependances upon some of the natural factors, depending on how they have been selected down through the years. Dutch hybrid amaryllis bulbs do not behave quite the same way that wild Hippeastrum species bulbs behave, for instance. For one thing, they are vastly easier to grow and to get to flower! ************************************************* Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd. P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/ Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA