Calla Lily Care and Growing Tips : thegardenerplanet.blogspot.com

Calla Lily Care and Growing Tips

    

Why You Should Grow Calla Lilies

Calla lilies' distinctive and beautiful blossoms are always eye-catching in the garden. Calla lilies are quite easy to care for in warmer areas. They will require more attention in colder climates, but their gorgeous blossoms make it worthwhile.

• Botanical name: Zantedeschia spp.
• Growing Zone: 8–11 (or lower if dug and stored indoors in winter).
• Light Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil: well-drained.
• Use: Excellent cut flowers.
• Backyard tip: The entire plant is hazardous. Keep away from kids and pets. 

Are Calla Lilies Perennials?

Calla lilies are tropical and subtropical perennial plants. They thrive in growth zones 8 to 10, requiring little additional care once planted. However, gardeners in zones 7 and lower will need to approach calla lilies differently.

You can just plant them as annuals and enjoy them for one season. Alternatively, you can lift the bulbs each winter and store them indoors to avoid freezing.

When cultivated as perennials, calla lilies bloom in late spring or early summer. Calla lilies come in a wide range of colors and bloom times, including early, mid, and late season.

A plant's blooming period typically lasts 6 to 12 weeks after it begins. Planting a variety allows you to enjoy these unique flowers throughout the season.

Calla Lily Care

Begin by selecting types that will meet your garden's demands. Lower-growing cultivars reach a maximum height of around 12 inches, making them excellent for borders. Taller varieties can grow to be 2 to 3 feet tall and are better suited to the back of the garden.

Ensure they get at least some sun each day. In temperate zones, these plants can tolerate full light, although in warmer locations, morning sun and afternoon shade are preferable.

Calla lilies grow from rhizomes. Start them outside in the spring, when the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant the rhizome approximately 3 to 4 inches deep in well-drained soil, with the growing tips facing upward.

Cover with dirt and water thoroughly, then water sparingly until the first shoots emerge above ground. Once leaves appear, water them regularly and apply liquid fertilizer once a month.

Overwintering Calla Lilies

Pull out spent flower stems at the base to focus the plant's energy to next year's flowers rather than seed production. Allow the plant to naturally die back in the fall, when it will become dormant for the winter. In zones 8-10, simply reduce watering and let the plant rest. You can trim any yellowed leaves or foliage if you choose.

In cooler climates, remove the leaves, leaving an inch or two of stem. Dig up the rhizomes and keep them in slightly damp peat moss in a cold, dark location.

Replant in the spring, when the soil has warmed up again. It's worth noting that blossoming may diminish in later years. Increase fertilizing to once every two weeks to promote blooming.

Growing Calla Lilies Indoors

Calla lilies are commonly sold as potted plants, and they can be grown indoors. They will require more frequent fertilizing when grown in pots, but their overall growth requirements are similar. Consider putting them outside during the warmer months to a location with about six hours of sunlight per day.

Water the soil regularly to keep it moist (but not soggy). In the winter, store containers in a cool location, limit watering, and let plants go dormant.

Grow Oriental lilies for vibrant garden color.

Can You Grow a Calla Lily From Seeds?

“Will my calla lily have seeds after the flower blooms that I can save to plant next year?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Sheryl Clifton.

Gardening expert Melinda Myers says, “Yes, you can grow calla lilies from seeds, but it will take several years for the plant to reach maturity and begin to bloom. Watch for a cluster of plump structures to develop as the flowers fade.

Many people believe this cluster of kernel-like formations resembles corn on the cob. Each "kernel" holds one to four seeds. As the seeds mature, the surrounding structure becomes mushy and yellow.

Squish the kernel to release the individual seeds. Rinse the seeds, removing any leftover flesh, and spread them out to dry. Store the seeds in an airtight container or plastic bag in a cool, dark place until ready to plant.

Pre-germinating the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag can help increase their chances of success. Check the seeds frequently and plant any that have sprouted. Plant sprouts (or seeds if you omitted pre-germination) ¼ inch deep and ½ inch apart, or sprinkle them over the soil surface of a moist, well-draining potting mix. Place them in a warm environment to germinate.

Then move to a sunny window or under artificial lights as soon as any green appears. Be patient as it can take several weeks for the seeds to sprout.”

Selected Calla Lily Varieties

'Black Magic' features brilliant yellow flowers with black throats. Blooms range in height from 26 to 30 inches and are midseason.

 
'Black Star' features spotted foliage and maroon-black blooms. Early-season blossoms stand 18 inches tall.

 
'Captain Safari' has orange flowers striped with yellow and white patterned foliage. Late season blooms range in size from 12 to 24 inches.

 
'Garnet Glow' has deep pink, low-growing blooms. Blooms are 10 to 16 inches tall and appear in the middle of the season.

 
'Green Goddess' features white blooms with green throats and a powerful aroma. Blooms 20 inches tall and in the middle of the season.