Hi Leo, Calostemma purpureum is widespread in flood plain locations, but in its southern range is usually found at higher elevations in clay soil- it does tolerate a little watering over spring and summer as the growth period is from midsummer into autumn. The important factor is to ensure at least one to two heavy waterings around mid to late summer. Where is found the summer max. daily air temperatures do range from 25C to 40C and in winter around -5C to 18 C. Remove the potted bulbs from the saucer of water from early autumn, in nature the bulbs are usually at a level commensurate with the soils moisture retention - ie. shallower in stony ground they grow down approx. 6 to 8cms and approx 10 cms inches in alluvial sandy soils. In pots I sugggest you plant them about half way down the pot Cheers Jim Blue Mountains. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leo A. Martin" <leo@possi.org> To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 12:08 PM Subject: [pbs] Calostemmas > Yes, behind the times... > > Grown in the ground, do Calostemma tolerate any summer water at all? > > I killed my first one by leaving the pot outside in the shade during our > warm summer (104 F / 40C and above for several months.) The next two I > have kept alive by bringing into the house for the summer, but they don't > bloom. > > We don't get a lot of summer rain and some mediterranean-climate plants > don't mind the small amount we do get. > > Another problem I have is soil, or lack therof. My "garden soil" is rocks > separated by traces of dust. Excellent drainage! > > Leo Martin > Phoenix Arizona USA > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/