A naive question-how do you "mark" growing bulbs that you might want to pick out for some reason at re-potting time? I've tried tying bits of thread around them and that failed, and of course trying to memorise where they were in the pot failed miserably too.
Good question David, I too have tried all these methods none of which give 100% success except where there are very few bulbs in the pot.
There are only two ways to achieve the separation or cloning out of mixed pots of seedlings.
1) Carefully re-pot them when they are in full flower and can be identified - this method is limited to the flowering size bulbs any immature bulbs should be kept together until they flower when you can repeat the process.
2) Plant all the bulbs individually in their own pot.
Gerry
I think we are still some way from understanding the actual relationship between Sternbergia lutea -sicula and greuteriana.
As I said in the bulb log my study is extremely limited as I can only make observations from the plants that I grow and have seen in cultivation.
The plant that I presume to be Sternbergia greuteriana in my collection is very different to other plants that I have received under that name.
While I can see some evidence for them all to be part of a polymorphic species, in my collection, this plant stands out as a step to far for me.
A wide ranging study of plants in the wild along with extensive DNA sampling may eventually give us the answer.
In the meantime I will continue my battle to get these lovely bulbs to flower for me in our cool Northern climate.