September 25, 2008 Dear PBS members, As I prepare for my departure to India I am inspired to write all at PBS for your suggestions as to bulbs that will acclimatize in the hot tropics of southern India. We make our own compost from leaves, cow manure, etc. so we have control of soil mixes and sufficient although not plentiful water, except during the monsoon, October to December, when we can have a few feet of rain in a day or two! Soil pH is neutral to slightly acid. The red clay soil well amended with some sandy loam and ample compost has resulted in extensive reforestation creating a ‘Green Belt’ around the evolving township. This has lowered temperatures about five degrees Fahrenheit so that now our winter low dips to 65 degrees. Some bulbs do quite well and I list these below for your information and as possible indicators for recommending other species. I would be most grateful for your suggestions and if there are any spare bulbs available we can give a donation receipt for the value on request. Currently I am in the process of arranging for a container load of landscape equipment such as mowers, aerator, nursery containers, etc. so I may not be able to reply to each of you until I get to India at the end of October, but that is one of the true benefits of the evolution in telecommunication technology. I am still searching for a number of rain lilies which I list below and again, would be most grateful to receive a bulb or two (if they could be spared from valuable collections) for the rain lily hybridizing program we will begin in two months at the Matrimandir Gardens. List of bulbous and rhizomatous plants currently growing in and around Auroville, Pondicherry and South India. Primarily only a species and none of the finer hybrids. Acidanthera bicolor Alpinia sp. Belamcanda Canna Costus Crinum Curcuma pallida Dahlia (seasonal) Drimiopsis kirkii Eucharis grandiflora Eurycles sylvestris Gladiolus (seasonal) Gloriosa superba Habranthus Haemanthus multiflorus Hedychium Hippeastrum – a pale orange form Hymenocallis Kaempferia pulchra Kaempferia rotunda Mirabilis Pancratium Polianthes Zephyranthes List of Zephyranthes and related species I am currently seeking: Habranthus concolor Habranthus gracilifolius (H. extensis) Habranthus howardii Habranthus immaculatus Habranthus juncifolius Haylockia americana Pyrolirion aureum Pyrolirion flammeum Zephyranthes grandiflora - fertile strain Zephyranthes treatae Zephyranthes chlorosolen - best strain Zephyranthes smalii Zephyranthes Laredo Yellow Zephyranthes? Hjalmar Sandre Zephyranthes refugiensis Zephyranthes nymphaea Zephyranthes subflava Zephyranthes veracunda Zephyranthes veracunda rosea Zephyranthes latissamafolia Zephyranthes fosteri Zephyranthes crocifolia Zephyranthes erubescens Zephyranthes bella Zephyranthes longifolia Zephyranthes Starfrost Zephyranthes Big Shot Zephyranthes Libra Zephyranthes Horsetail Falls Zephyranthes Ellen Korsakoff Zephyranthes albiella Zephyranthes Teddy Buhler Zephyranthes bifolia Zephyranthes katherinae - darkest red and other shades Any of Dr. Howard's hybrids and Padre Cicereo's hybrids Thank you again for your advice and suggestions for the beautification of these very special gardens. Richard M Eggenberger (Narad) Director Matrimandir Gardens ‘Peace’ Auroville 605101 India