Regarding Fritillaria yuminensis
I agree that Chinese frits generally don't like drying out in summer. It makes them very difficult for nurseryman - very difficult to keep bulbs alive after harvesting during dispatching of orders. I found that best is to dig out them
just before packing of an order and to dig next bulb only when you start packing of another order of this frit. Some are more easy, but most extremely difficult to keep alive in bulb shed. I tried all ways - dry in box, in box covered by silver sand, in plastic bag, in plastic bag with peat most (the last was a bit better, but
).
There is another problem, too - most of them start forming new roots very early. But it is better to dig them with roots, than to keep in box. I'm dispatching orders to my customers in first half of August, but even that is too late usually for most of Chinese frits. They are good for growing, I have a lot, but I'm offering them rarely because it is very risky to include them in catalogue.
Of course such as pallidiflora, thunbergii, verticillata and may be some others are easier to grow, keep and dispatch.
Janis
