I saw it...you asked how I get my bulbs so big! Since these were all new bulbs, the answer was simply - buy from Royal Colors. But, now you were really asking, "What can I do to make my bulbs bigger and grow to their max potential...they seem to be shrinking!" The answer to that one is a little more complex. My bulbs are outside from early spring (after last frost) up until October. They get lots of water and fertilizer. When bulbs are blooming, it's not unusual to see them shrink a little (almost like the outside layer comes undone from the rest of the bulb), but not at the end of the growing season. We are in cooler weather now, so are you withholding water? Did you pull them up to rest, etc? Really, without knowing what you've done (or not done) it's hard to say why they are smaller. Please provide some more details and we'll do our best to help you. K

You sure have a lot of work ahead of you. I read that if you know you are going to move a large plant, tree or shrub, that you dig in a reasonable size to move circle around the plant. Just take the shovel & cut straight down. Don't dig or lift. It will cut off some of the big roots & new smaller ones will take their place & make it a little less stressful. You are supposed to do this as soon as you know you will be moving them but maybe better late than never. I have moved a 8 foot apple tree by doing this a year before I moved it. I re-shoveled about once a month during the growing season. I'd come & help if I lived closer. Linda

I'm so glad that the first seedling is well liked. It is the first of that cross (4 or 5 more out of the same cross to go). It does look more like fringe, the teeth are so much longer on the other FLR seedling, but the color is a bit weird. Both of them are first year blooming and hopefully will only become a little better as they mature. Haven't named it yet Celeste!!! Val, I have only a few lilys with watermarks and Benchmark has always been one of my favorites, simple and clean color. NGraham, I hope that the 2nd seedling grows into a better looking lilly, the teeth are already crazy! Sheila

Nice! I like your new rose. I'm such a sucker for pink roses. That must be a hibiscus, in the picture. Is is upright or sprawling? It looks a lot like the annual I showed above. I went to Lowes yesterday on the way home from the Dr. and came home with an impulse Kordes rose. Shame on me! Ingrid, our nearest Lowes had some lovely Dahlias all potted and blooming. You could try one right now, if you wanted to. Thanks for the lily name, Cath. The orientals don't normally do very well for me, not enough winter chill:( I think I actually tried "Hot Line" a few years ago, and it didn't make it. Thanks, Roselady. I hope your little band does well for you. My Louise Odier has downright shocked me with constant blooms. Here are some this morning. And the new buds just keep coming!