Topic: Arum Lilies

[Jesse]

I've recently bought some Arum Lily corms off Ebay. Couple of questions I have are:

When they arrive, can I keep them until spring before planting or will they need planting straight away?

Do they need lifting over winter or can I leave them in their planted place?

Any other advice on Arum Lilies would be welcome.

[Kerry]

hi jesseveve :)
hoping that your corm is zantadeschia, I bought one from wilko's this year, half price.
Potted it up in early June, sprouted almost straight away and now has plenty of foliage. If it was my corm I'd pot it up now on the basis of being curious!
I think they require winter protection, have googled 'arum lily' and this page seems to give good info:
bulbexpress.com.au/age/growing_guide/arum_lily/arum_lily.html
sorry don't know how to post it as a link, sure there are other good sources too!
 :)

[Jesse]

Yes Kerry, it is a Zantdeschia (white arum lily). Thanks for the link, I have seen it but am confused after looking through Google. Some sites say they are borderline for winter tenderness and others say give a thick mulch to protect through winter. Pleased to hear that your corms sprouted quickly, at least if mine don't then I know I've killed them!

[john_miller]

Given the changing U.K. climate they may well prove winter hardy in terms of cold. The greater threat would be the corms drowning and rotting, staying too wet and cold, if they are left in the ground overwinter.

[Jesse]

Thanks John. I think what I will do is plant the corms into a large pot and sink it into the ground. At the end of autumn I will lift the pot and bring it indoors until spring time. Perhaps I will plant a couple of the corms (I have 10 in total) into the flower border and see how they fair over winter.