Last year I took a look at rainfall records in California and floated a theory that heavy blooming seasons for Amaryllis belladonna bulbs happen here in the autumn after a heavy rain year. This winter hasn't been a blockbuster, but rainfall totals are above average in much of the state for the first time in several years. Also, the rains started early and have continued late, so the ground has been moist for a long time. If my theory is right, that should mean a lot of naked ladies in California this August. So that's my prediction; we'll see what happens in four months. Mike San Jose, CA