Colchicum (autumn crocus): planting, dividing and storing the corm

Store	Corm. Cut it in half: it is solid all the way through.
Depth	8-10 cm to the base of the corm
Spacing	10-15 cm apart
When	Divide and replant after flowering (late summer). Divide and replant: 10 weeks to 4 weeks before your first autumn frost. Work out your dates.
Pets	Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses (ASPCA)

Store

Corm. Cut it in half: it is solid all the way through.

Depth

8-10 cm to the base of the corm

Spacing

10-15 cm apart

When

Divide and replant after flowering (late summer). Divide and replant: 10 weeks to 4 weeks before your first autumn frost. Work out your dates.

Pets

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses (ASPCA)

About Colchicum (autumn crocus)

A large corm that flowers in autumn without leaves; the leaves come in spring and die by summer. Despite its common name it is not a Crocus.

Depth and spacing

Typical range: 8-10 cm deep and 10-15 cm apart. A general rule is to plant at two to three times the height of the corm; check the label for your variety. The drawing is to scale for 9 cm deep and 12.5 cm apart (the size of the organ is illustrative); try your own measurements.

When to plant

Divide and replant after flowering (late summer). Divide and replant: 10 weeks to 4 weeks before your first autumn frost. These are rules of thumb for the northern hemisphere. Enter your frost dates for real dates.

Dividing and propagating

Divide in summer when dormant, replant straight away.

Lifting and storing

Not stored: plant in late summer as soon as bought.

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses

The ASPCA lists Colchicum autumnale as: toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses. Toxic principle: Colchicine and other alkaloids. Signs: Bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage, bone marrow suppression If your pet has chewed any part, call your vet or an animal poison helpline. ASPCA entry.