When do I plant asiatic lily bulbs?

When is a good time to plant these bulbs? I live in Portland, OR (zone 8b) but our wet season has already started and lasts until about May, so my fear is that they may rot if I plant now. I'm a complete noob with these guys and want them to do well. Should I plant in a container and overwinter them inside?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Asiatic lilies are actually best planted this time of year, despite the fact that most nurseries sell them in the spring. You are certainly no wetter than we are in Newfoundland (60 inches of rain on average per year) and I plant lilies in the fall all the time. Plant them out; don't bother with potting them.

I am fairly new at lilies also. I put my first in a year ago. I have acquired lots since then and tried potting them until planting conditions were good with fairly poor results. They seem to rot much more easily in a pot than in the ground. Hope this helps.

Rotting is what has me worried since our areas get so much rain. If it fell as snow, wouldn't be as big of deal, but the bulbs are continually saturated with our long wet season.

I too am rather new to this, but I am also trying some very rot sensitive S African bulbs. The seller recommended putting some horticultural sand below and above the bulbs to increase drainage, that should also work well with the lilies.

Happy Birthday, Pot!! Hope you have/had a good one!!

Thanks, I am. Despite listing to the thunder boom and the clouds roll in. Glad I finally got all my bulbs in the ground!

Plaant all your lilium yesterday.
Inanda

If you want some great advice--head for the Lilies Forum. We're all madly planting Asiatics, Orientals, Orienpets & Tigers right now! Such incredibly great colors....