Molly and all: In a previous post I said I never force dormancy bu there is an exception. Achimenes are normally a summer flowering plant but I like my indoor plants to flower in winter. Achimenes rhizomes need a four month dormancy period so I force some into dormancy by withholding water in July so they resprout and come into bloom under fluorescent lights in the winter. This doesn't seem to hurt them in any way although some varieties perform better under artifcial light than others. I think dormancy periods in plants are caused by the weather conditions (dry season, cold season) where they grow and you can change their patterns by aping their wild conditions any time that suits you. Ruth Zavitz rzavitz@execulink.com Freelance Writer & Gardening Consultant