Geoff,

Many species have VERY long, thick root systems, it's advisable not to handle the roots as Amaryllids in general are incredibly picky!

Some species such as H. parodii have incredibly fleshy anchor roots which are used to pull the bulb quite far into the ground as they're found in very dry places in Argentina. I've noticed that some of the desert species have roots incredibly similar to the S. African Amaryllids.

Five inch clay would work for some species and not for others, you've mentioned I think H. parodii and H. mandonii in the past and both are large plants that would need much larger pots for blooming, mature bulbs.

Some species are small like H. traubii or H. striatum, these would be more well suited for smaller pots, I'd say 6 inch Azelea pots which are much deeper than others. You want something where they can thrive and A.) You repot only to sperate or B.) To add fresh medium. If you want to continue are large specimen with many bulbs per pot I would agree to an even larger pot, 10 inches or so.

For the large species like H. brasilianum I have mine in a two gallon nursery pot along with several offsets, the pot is actually starting to deform so I must move to a size higher!

I threw you off. I meant that if I had all the space in the world I would start each seed out in its own pot, proportionately of a good size according to its apecies. For me this would be a cosmic fantasy. For some of you perhaps not. Geoff

Geoff,

It's easy to throw me off ;)

Honestly, since they don't like to be bothered this would be a wonderful idea! You could let them grow and they would mature much faster!!!

Sorry for my misguided response :(