Bulbs: A 'confused' Fritillaria specie..., 1 by wallaby1

wallaby1 wrote:
I discovered that Fritillaria roots grow actively for 10 months , and if the roots die the plant dies. They should therefore be bought already in growth! No wonder I have had trouble with them, those dry corky looking rootless lumps don't stand a chance, even if they do flower once.

I found this site which sells seed cheaply, and some bulbs too which they send fresh and wet.

"If you are growing bulbs, only get fresh, wet bulbs. We send out our bulbs in moist peat and you should plant them without delay, in there final growing position. Fritillaria do not like to be dried out, the roots are activly growing for ten months and if their roots are dried they will die."

http://www.poppyheadsltd.co.uk/4681.html?*session*id*key*=*s...

My F. imperialis was quite fresh when I got it, thankfully it survived! I took this photo on Sunday, I dragged it out the greenhouse but put it back. Today all the flowers are open nicely but the sun didn't last long enough and I couldn't be bothered dragging it out again.