When using the float method, I carefully transfer the sprouted seeds into 1 gallon pot using a pencil or screwdriver to poke a hole in the potting mix placing the root in the hole, putting about a dozen per pot then covering with a fine mix about 1/4 inch deep.

H. papilio is a diploid species from Brazil, it is very endangered due to habitat destruction. Some bulbs are self fertile (produces seed with it's own pollen), some are self sterile (you need a separate clone), it depends on the specific clones of this species. Each clone has usually miniscule differences. I have a clone that has a white background as opposed to a green one, I have one that opens quite flat and one that hardly opens at all. Most papilio on the market are true species, some are sold as a clone with a "higher" bud count, this is usually untrue OR it is indeed a hybrid. The only thing I would think of that could make H. papilio "rare" is having collection data from a wild location.

Hi Aveo, As for your papilio with the split down the side, I know exactly what you mean and I have had MANY bulbs like that and not only bulbs that I have purchased, sometimes they grow like that after a summer in the sun (looks like the inside grew so fast it split the outer layers) nothing to worry about on that score. That happens frequently. As for the squashed blossom that is not acceptable. Just a little bit of ingenuity and the bud could have been protected. I too have had that happen. Two years ago I ordered 2 mini bulbs from a popular Ebay dealer and the buds had grown up about 2 inches and what did he do? He cut the buds in half!! I was livid!! He gave me an extra bulb and said that's the way they came to him. Regardless of whether or not they came to him that way, he never should have sent them with the buds cut!! One of those bulbs ended up being virused and the next summer I threw it away. The other was a Joker and the poor thing is still alive and only about the size of a small walnut..after nearly 3 years!! and of course it has never bloomed.. OK back to your problem. If I were you and if the bulb is as big as you say it is, I would most likely keep it and hope for another scape. The split not being an issue, I would chalk it up to experience, but would let them know that I was displeased. Maybe you could tell him you belong to a forum and say you might post his name to warn others. (only if you're in a really bad mood);-) As for your Green Dragon, when my bulb arrived it was very small,(it is a small bulb I think) and as it was a gift from someone, I made the best of it. It bloomed the flowers that you saw in my pictures on 2 very short scapes. It had at least 4 flowers on each scape, but only a couple came out, the rest were in distress. I just went to find my Green Dragon currently and it is now 2" in diameter and looking very good..still small but growing 3 nice clean green leaves. I don't expect it to bloom for me again for some time, but it is healthy and it will recover. If your bulb was supposed to be 32cm and it's only 16cm then you certainly have something to complain about. And yes, I would say that in this case they are ripping you off. $25 sounds a bit much for a bulb that small plus postage?? In the case of the damaged papilio bud, it was carelessness but I wouldn't say they were trying to fleece you. Maybe they can make a large adjustment concerning the Green Dragon and my guess is that it will bloom, but the flowers will be stressed. Your best chance for enjoying your green flowers will most likely be your Evergreen. Maybe someone else has a large Green Dragon, I can't accurately tell you if in fact they are supposed to be a small bulb, but mine was and I guess yours is too. Hope I've been able to help you and let us know how you make out..and you have got to learn how to post pictures..:-) Donna

I do the same thing with the cocoons I find as well. Now I am watching a brood of pvs cats who are just now in the last few days begun to reach pupating stage and sadly two have died after spending a day or so preparing their girdles. I am hoping that the rest will be successful. Last year I reared probably 200 or more with hardly any casualties. It made this spring so wonderful when I had so many to release. But we will see. This year I just didn't have the strength and motivation. Murray