They are (clearly) long lived and flourish in the temperate UK climate so yes, they are astonishingly common here - almost every garden I have worked in has a clump or 2 stowed away. However, I also have to say that nearly all of them are stashed in a shady, often damp area...and planted very meanly (just 1 or 2 bulbs). When I see a thriving naturalised colony, upright in open grass, I could be persuaded to enjoy them but sadly, it is a rare occurrence to see one which is not squished on its side in sodden soil under a shrub (where cyclamen really do emerge victorious). I agree, PosieRosie, autumn bulbs are often overlooked. I have only really started growing them since acquiring more space...and the often rank, vigour of an English September/October seems to call for rampant sturdy perennials rather than dainty bulbs...and in sun, I for sure have been still engrossed in the summer delights of dahlia, salvias, hesperanthus, alstroemeria...with a complete reluctance to admit tasteful pastels. Trying to get to grips with my quite visceral dislike of colchies - not wanting to offend growers who love them.

Wait a couple of years until the snake is 15' long, then it will take all comers. Your kitty would find no contest there, the snake would run for cover. I offered it a nearly fully grown rabbit the other day and he could not handle that. He is still a baby. They killed one in Thailand the other day that weighed 300 lbs and was 55' long. I had no idea that they got that long, the weight is no surprise. Nick

I have a ton of speciosums and thats after most were stolen from a rented greenhouse and what my dad killed. The short storg is that imported about 2.5k from Woolf Orchid Culture and a few months later, they were gone including all my variegated clivias, tillandsias, neofinetias, laelia anceps and lycastes. They only took labeled plants. So that ended my orchid growing career. Anyhow... Once they do bloom, they bloom regularly. Although they are known as cool growers, they really do need summer heat. When I lived in Los Angeles, I had bought about 12 divisions from Down Under Native Orchids who flew them in from Australia. They looked pretty terrible, mostly backbulbs and a few with leaves. It was fall 2010. I potted them up with coco chips and put them under a bench. The weather was still warm and they grew roots and sent up and matured fat pseudobulbs and most bloomed, rather sparsely, the following spring. Fast forward to 2015. They are all in the fog belt of the Bayarea with no protection. It rarely gets above 70 during the summer and nights are almost always below 50. Only about 5 out of 50 bloom each year. Growth is lush but new growth is sent out througout the year. The roots are okay but not great, its too wet during winter. Im actually dividing everything now as most are busting out of either 5 gallon squats or 15 gallons squats. I used a saw for most of it and tore them apart. Its the middle of winter and some have bew growth but all have new root growth so Im crossing my fingers. Ill be putting up a growit tent greenhouse tomorrow. If they dont bloom by next spring with a warmer and more protected environment, ill have to throw them away. Speaking of which, anyone want free divisions? They are a NOID, but they all came from DUNO. Shipping is pricy, though, unless we wait till May for ground shipping. Each bulb is about 2 lbs......

Anita, Thank you. Nobody is to blame. : ) Carol, some rat-tail radish and Centaura 'Black Ball' seeds went out to you today. It's really great to meet internet friends. Grannymarsh and I have seen eachother several times. The first time was to get some "black gold" from us, since we have cows. I saw that she was from the UP too. I've met several of my online garden friends. It's really great! Treasa