On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 15:54:11 +0000 (UTC), Glenda
wrote:

Last year my fritillaria imperialis all came up with flowers on them
and looked great. This year, only a yellow one was flowered. Another
has shot up but has no flowers on it while some of the others haven't
grown to full size yet. I have been looking for red lily beetles on
the plants but can't find anything, is there another pest that would
have caused damage to prevent them from flowering and growing
properly?

Crown imperials are famously difficult to flower after their first
year. The only thing I can suggest is feeding them with potassium
sulfate during their active growth. (Use a *very* dilute solution,
please.) I was once told by an extremely knowledgable professional
horticulturist that CI's are heavy potassium feeders and won't do well
without a supplement thereof.


--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, BC, Canada
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