For me, they're a bit like Nerines or hippeastrum - that is, only part bury them and leave about half above the ground. Thereafter they get treated like Hostas - a good serving of compost in autumn but the tips are still clear. Start with a fairly small pot - maybe four inches across, then pot on as the roots develop. They obviously won't reach full glory in such a small container but they will establish good roots. They seem to me to be a lot like lilies in that they never really go dormant, and take a while to resettle themselves. Make sure the drainage is really good and the growing medium holds water without staying sodden. (Think good leaf mould for the sort of qualities and texture needed.) They do brilliantly in high rainfall/mist areas (8'+) but get to at least five feet in less favoured areas, so plan for a pot with enough weight to support this size of growth without toppling. About the only other thought, though it's not likely, is that you've somehow gotten hold of a bulb that's flowered already. It's a matter of once flowered, then die and leave lots of little bulbs to come along.

Hi Brian, Do Cardiocrinum rely upon roots for flower stem height?? This is not necessarily true, but you likely know more about these plants than I do. I assume the flower spike is inherent in the size of the bulb when it decides to flower as this is what provides the vast majority of the nutrient to produce the spike. If you happen to have a small bulb bloom then the spike will be shorter......perhaps this is not true of these? Also, what do you mean by the variety?? I assumed there was only one variety of C. giganteum, but perhaps there are other varieties?? Of course, there are other species of Cardiocrinum which produce smaller flower spikes, but I was not aware of varietal status. Are there any web sites detailing the differences in the varieties of giganteum...I'd love to have a read. How can you tell your bulb is going to flower next spring?? I've never paid that much attention, but if you can tell from my just dormant bulbs I'd be interested in having a look-see. I've grown these for awhile and love them, but have not really read much about them. They have been rather easy to grow as long as I keep the slugs at bay.....not easy by the way!! I'd love to go to the Himalayas where they propaate these and see several hundred or thousand in bloom all at once..that would be awesome :o) Dan

Hi Susan, I was celebrating my birth some 44 years ago today :o) As you know from my other posts I'm a fan of fertilizer.....I fertilize mine several times a summer with standard bulb fertilizer. It takes 7-9 years to reach flowering size, so if yours was a small bulb when you received it then it might still be a few years from flowering, but it sounds like yours is doing well if you have had it for 5 years!! I'm not sure if I have sent you my address for seed, but if you have not e-mailed me directly then I can not respond to you via GW since your e-mail addy is blocked when you post here. I'm pleased to say that you are not the first person to suggest I'm "out there" :o) Dan

Hi Macca, I import mine...contact me privately if you have more interest in this. I get them so that they are 1-2 years from flowering. They are pretty easy to grow if you follow a few simple rules!! I both have them in the ground and in large pots....I mean large.....I've got 3 bulbs in a 20+ inch diameter pot....a mix of potting mix and pine bark.....kept in shade....maybe 2 hrs of morning sun MAX. Keep them moist for the summer.....give them some fertilizer (15-30-15) every week or so to increase bulb size. Watch out for slugs...they will gladly kill your Cardiocrinum just as it is getting growing in the spring!! You do not want them that warm in the winter....they are Himalayan plants that require atleast some modest amount of cold weather.....I put the pot of them in the garage for the winter (40F for a low) and give them a touch of water every now and again with my bonsai...the soil should not be bone dry.....they will dessicate....trust me on that one and please do not ask for the gory details!! I posted a pic of this guy on the exchange page (under Wanted by mistake). I can e-mail you a pic of mine in flower this summer if you would like to see it...very pretty if I do say so myself :o) Dan