I joined the Pacific Bulb Society, which I’ve found to be an excellent organization with extraordinarily knowledgable growers and scientists and a robust web gallery and wiki page. Find their home page HERE.

One of the perks of being a member is that other members donate seeds and bulbs from their plants and then the organization offers them up for a nominal fee. I sent a long wish list when the last offer was published. It is probably just as well that only three packets of seeds were sent. I’m very excited about these species, though:

Tulbaghia violacea–I had seen these around all over and they seem fragile, somehow; but I saw a well-grown pot of them on Bainbridge Island last year and then saw another nice one when we visited Arliss and Mike in Arizona. If I can get these seeds to grow I’ll put some around the garden and in patio pots, and possibly send some to plant sales or down to Arliss and Mike.

Tropaeolum brachyceras–I want to try this vine to grow up the Pod sculpture Leon has in the driveway bed. If I have extras, I’ll put a few around the garden and then send some off to plant sales.

Cyclamen graecum –if I can get these to grow, I’ll grow one or two in pots in the greenhouse and the rest out in the garden. It is pretty amazing how big the tubers can get!

I will try two different methods with these seeds. I’m soaking half of each type in water now and I’ll plant them tomorrow in the window on heat with LED lights. The rest of the seeds will go into a little moist soil in plastic bags in the refrigerator and I’ll start them in the spring.

Along with a re-emergence of my seed addiction, there has been a bulb relapse incident. After getting all the bulbs from John Scheepers planted I felt like there weren’t enough bulbs for the pots I have ready, so I looked online and found another vendor and ordered more tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, iris, and more. I’m a little worried they won’t be top-notch bulbs this late in the season, but we’ll see when they show up.