>From: Stephen Putman <putman@pobox.upenn.edu> >Has anyone been successful in growing and flowering Hipp. breviflorum? Hello Stephen: I regret that I do not possess this fine species knight star lily. Nevertheles, I am absolute sure that no hippeastrum can be reliably grown in standing water. Concluding from my very best experiences, the most recent example being http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/… (2 y seedlings of H.papilio x "Pink Floyd", 75% blooming - one with 3 scapes à 4 flowers) I strongly recommend pure coco fiber substrate (coco peat from dry coco blocks) Even more perfect with a thick layer of baken clay bullets (Seramis or Lecaton) below. Water but from the bottom, every 2nd -4th day, with lukewarm water, including diluted mineral fertiilzer, rich in potassium, low in phosphorous, for example 4.5-3-7.5 at 1 mL/L, and water applying very variable amounts according to the actual demand. The uppermost cm's of the substrate should remain dry - permanently. The water transport through a Seramis layer proceeds slower, but finally no water should remain in the soucoupe. Good luck Hans-Werner
