Well, it turns out that I've been using your hybrid solution successfully here in Z5A/B. That is, growing them to the last possible moment to get as much as I can into them. And for me at my location, it means cutting, digging and planting the second half of Oct. because I want be sure I provide the replanted bulbs with a good month to six weeks of settle in time before the soil temps go too low. But my curious mind always drives me to wander if there is a better way. And sometimes, short of getting laughed at, one should think outside the box. Like you say, Rick, our whole gardening life style is so engrained around working with the 'natural' cycle of plants that we automatically use our routine techniques with the not so natural (man made) cultivars that push the natural to an extreme in one direction or another.
I know from experience that Division VI bulbs, once dormant and slightly thirsty, re-root rapidly. On more occasions than I care to admit--ha-ha-- I've decided to re-dig and re-plant in yet another location. In just five or six days a good dozen or more tiny little bulb sustaining feeder roots and inch, 2.5cm or so long are emanating from the basil. This may be true for all dormant, slightly thirsty lily bulbs. They settle in very well in preparation for next years growth pattern--albeit a little less, usually. With primary focus on bulb adjustment only and if I accept the above to be true; then, if concern myself with somewhat tunnel vision to only that narrow timeframe of how well dormant, thirsty bulbs respond, then why not force dormancy (not a question). Again concerning myself primarily on the bulbs adjustment by giving my bulbs a good four to six weeks settle in time before wintery climate sets in. That was my thinking.
But, as you said, it isn't that simple--I agree. There are trade-offs as you very well presented. One can't focus on a single aspect alone without at least some consideration of all the others. I read you discussion twice and some parts a third, developing many sub thoughts along the way. If I had more OTs to play with around here, I might try forcing premature dormancy, but until then, I'll stick with your 'hybrid solution'.
