I grew Veltheimia capensis from seed and it is not so happy in northern California in an area with much more rainfall than Andrew gets in southern California. When it flowers (2006, 2008, 2012, 2015), which it is doing at the moment, it has started into growth late summer and started flowering in September or early October. Mine are in a large pot sunk into another large pot in a raised bed. http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/… So perhaps when it flowers depends on its heritage. Veltheimia bracteata is much easier for me to grow and flower, but in pots. In the ground it barely survives, but does not flower. I've not tried V. capensis in the ground. Mary Sue > In southern California (or certainly here in San Diego) Veltheimia > capensis is usually grown as a potted plant that starts to bloom in > early January to early February. However, a friend of mine here has > been growing it planted out and finds that it then starts to bloom > much earlier - it is blooming now. I think that behavior is consistent > with what is seen in Namaqualand, where it starts in May, before winter. > > It does well when planted out, with seedlings springing up all round. > > Andrew > San Diego _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…