Sally, I have a strong suspicion (based on last year's trials with Johnsonii) that Santos is a tetraploid despite the small size of the flowers. It is in bloom right now, so I will be doing more trials with the focus being on Tet pollen. Maria, definitely do not give up on Exotic Star fertility. The year before last, I also crossed mine with numerous diploids, and the pods were filled with fertile seeds. The seedlings are still growing outside (in pots). One of the pods was not labeled (oops!), so when I planted the seeds, I wrote Exotic Star ????. I thought that they were selfed, thus the lack of a label. I am so BAD about doing that. So, last year, I tried to self all of my WM Exotic Stars and none took. Unfortunately, I don't have any new Exotic Stars, so the existing ones which are fat and happy and still outside will bloom later in the season. I plan to save some Papilio pollen and try that cross this year. Hans-Werner gave me the tip to try some of these cybisters/diploids earlier. Ie., don't wait for the stigmas to fully open before pollination, but I don't know if I tried this on Exotic Star. Our humidity is quite high, so perhaps that helps, too. Hope that helps!

Haiti Doc! This may very well be true, but my second bulb of Night Star has bloomed. It is from a completely different source and is almost identical to my other picture. I have seen this many times before, especially with the pink/white varieties such as Apple Blossom. The depth of the color changes with the amount of light. I sometimes wonder if temperature has anything to do with it or the number of hours in a day, but based on observation, I am leaning toward the amount of light. It would be interesting to study this, but unfortunately, I don't have the time to experiment. Anyway, I adore the frilly white with the dark pink star, so I'm more than satisfied with what I have.... I'll post a pic later of the blooms on the second bulb when I get a chance. The first is from Eden's blooms, the second is from Royal Colors! Cheers! Ann

Kristi, again good eyes!! Yes the newer flowers have a very faint pink. I'll see if I can get a picture that shows it. I have another scape starting so maybe there will be more pink as the bulb is in higher light. - J

Exotic Star is another variety that I wouldn't be without!! I too grow most all of my bulbs as evergreen and I just went down stairs to check on mine and it's jobbing out with new leaves so it continues to grow well under lights!! You'll be ecstatic when she blooms, just hope it's not a mislabel!!!☻☻