Jonathan wrote regarding sprouting Dahlia in dishes of water indoors in late winter: > ...is the number of sprouts from any one tuber > determined by the number of growing points that > are on the piece of attached stem, or can more > than one sprout be produced even if there's > only one growth point? Multiple sprouts are produced. I don't know whether one growth point produces multiple shoots (e unum pluribus but I bet the declension is wrong and I feel certain I'll be corrected) or whether there are growth points I can't see. If nobody has figured this out I sense a publication for somebody with a microscope and some time. But I suspect the botanical giants on whose shoulders we stand found the answer and I haven't read it. > Do the sprouts develop roots into the water They root in the water. I forgot to add, use chlorinated city water if available, and change the water frequently, the better to prevent microorganism growth. Or better, change the water frequently, plus put into your sprouting water an airstone on the end of an air tube from a small aquarium air pump. This keeps the water well oxygenated, killing a lot of pathogenic microorganisms. If you sprout a lot of things in water, it might be worthwhile to set up a larger air pump with a manifold to provide multiple sources of air to multiple sprouting jars. Such supplies are sold at aquarium shops. You still should change the water frequently. Dahlias are interesting plants. Their year-round habitat temperatures are like my winters, but with (almost) no chance of frost. However, it's wet in the Dahliaphoretic mountains of Mexico, with year-round drizzle, frequent evening and night mists, and heavy dew almost every night. Their companions are things like Begonia, Calceolaria, Ceratozamia, Echeveria, ferns and fern allies, cloud forest orchids, Salvia and certain Tillandsia. Obviously I wish I could grow them. Leo Martin Phoenix Arizona USA