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Re arum Lilly

problemreportingproblemreporting Posts: 6
edited July 2022 in Problem solving
Hello
i was given an arum Lilly, in memory of my late wife, it was planed Sept 2021, was quite small, in the spring, it had expanded and produced many flowers, lovely to look at, now the flowers have finished, I cut the flower stems off and disposed off, the leaves are enormous, not sure how to manage it, I now realise it’s quite poisonous, and fear it will take over, any thoughts on controlling this ? Thank you p

the plant is much bigger than in these photos, lucky I found the edit post button, rather well hidden 🤣

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Calla Lily (Zantedeschia): Plant, Grow and Care For Calla Lilies - BBC Gardeners World Magazine

    You can divide the lily as it comes into growth in spring, replace a small section to grow on and split up and give away the rest of the plant, perhaps you could give your/your late wife's friends some pieces.

    Perennials: dividing / RHS Gardening
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    They take over in hot countries where they grow in swamps, in Western Australia they are a pest. I have not found then to be a problem here in East Midlands. As for poisonous, just don't eat the leaves.
  • problemreportingproblemreporting Posts: 6
    Thank you, so what’s the best way to stop it spreading, should I cut back the leaves once the green colour has gone, is there anything else ? I was advised have to wear gloves, as poison can enter through the skin 🤷🏻‍♀️
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I've got them too.
    I've never had any problem handling them ( nor have I been tempted to eat them ) . They tend to form clumps of "bulbs" and can be lifted easily and split in winter.
    Devon.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    What a lovely gift from your wife’s friends. 😊
    I grew them as a child and young teenager and used them in flower arrangements … I never had a problem from handling them. Indeed, in the late Sixties they were popular in very stylish bridal bouquets. 
    I wouldn’t be at all concerned about handling them. Just ensure that any child who doesn’t understand about not eating garden plants isn’t left in the garden unsupervised. . 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • problemreportingproblemreporting Posts: 6
    Thankyou, just shows you can’t believe everything you find on the internet, I’ve often said it’s 50% correct and 50% rubbish, it used to be much better, but has accumulated so much that is inaccurate, which is never corrected, it causes a lot of confusion.

    it flowered in spring, around 8 blooms. Then nothing, is that all you get for a year ?

    thanks again
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I found that if I kept the soil pretty damp the flowering period lasted longer … but the leaves are jolly handsome too aren’t they 😎 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • problemreportingproblemreporting Posts: 6
    Hello, yes they are ever such a lush green.

    thanks
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