Thank you for the advice Jim (zone 5/6), Kelly (zone 6a/b) and Lee (zone 10a). I have added this information to the wiki page here: http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/… First-hand experience from a wide range of climates is what makes this PBS discussion list so valuable. In summary, I realize now that Lycoris sprengeri is a cold-winter species which is expected to require a cold dormancy. And all agree it does best either in the ground or in a deep pot, a 2-gallon tree pot or a pot that deep. I might not have attempted growing this species except for having seen Lee's photos on the wiki and knowing his climate is similar to mine. Also I know Diana Chapman has offered this species and I expect she grows it from seed as she does the rest of her catalog. It is not much colder where she lives. (Diana if you read this could you tell us if yours leaf out in the winter pattern or the spring?) I am interested in the soil temperatures at bulb planting depth exactly for this sort of question. Currently in the coldest beds which are shaded all day this time of year the soil is still in the mid 40's F at 4 to 6 inches deep. My bulb refrigerator is set to the low 40's F. So perhaps I need not worry how to fit a 2-gallon tree pot into a tiny fridge. - Gastil Santa Barbara, California About zone 9b, significantly colder than the official Santa Barbara zone.