Forcing Rain Lilies

Has anyone had success doing this?

We've been importing them for a couple of years now, and I'v been telling cutomers, based on the information I've found, that they can be forced by witholding water for a few weeks, and then given a good soaking. So far no-one, my self included, has had any luck with this method.

We've tried on both Habranthus and Zephyranthes varieties. The only thing that's been consistent, is a storm from good old mother nature. I found one article that thought it may have to do with ions produced from electrical storms, or something along that line.

Anyone had luck doing it themselves?

This message was edited Thursday, Feb 6th 7:23 PM

This message was edited Thursday, Feb 6th 7:24 PM

I read the same thing you did - about it taking actual rain water to cause them to bloom. I've never tried forcing them, so I couldn't tell you for sure. But mine do seem to hold out for the "real thing" :)

I wonder if you used rainwater if that would do the trick? Of course, that's a lot of trouble to go through.

they can only be forced once a year. The dry period is more than a couple of weeks. I commented on this elsewhere on the bulb forum

Thanks Mark,

I looked for your comments in the bulb section regarding this, but was un-able to find it. Do you have any links where I can get some more info on it?

Thanks,

Chris

I canr remember but it was recently that I commented

Do you think you could share the information again, Mark? I also am interested in this as I have ordered some rain lilies for a client and have found only the simplest of instructions/information on the internet and in bulb books.
Ginger