How to grow calla lily in water? Detailed guide to methods and precautions
Calla lily is a herbaceous plant of the genus Zantedeschia, very common in everyday life, and many people like to grow calla lilies at home. Most plants are grown in soil, but calla lilies can be grown not only in soil but also in water, and many people prefer water-grown calla lilies, which look cleaner and brighter. So do you know how to grow calla lilies in water?
Water culture methods for calla lily
1. Selection of plants for water culture
For water culture, the calla lily plant should not be too large; it is best to use sucker shoots of the calla lily, rinse the root system clean, and trim away rotten roots and excessively long roots. In the early stage of water culture, insist on changing the water once a day to prevent water quality contamination and encourage new root growth. Once new roots have grown, the interval between water changes can be appropriately extended, and if conditions permit, add a few drops of nutrient solution to the water about every 20 days to keep the plant growing vigorously.
2. Preparation of nutrient solution for water culture
The nutrient solution for water-grown calla lily can use the following formula: calcium nitrate 800g, monopotassium phosphate 210g, magnesium sulfate 250g, potassium nitrate 500g, ammonium nitrate 30g, ferric ethylenediaminetetraacetate 10g, manganese sulfate 2g, zinc sulfate 1g, boric acid 1.3g, copper sulfate 0.15g, ammonium molybdate 0.1g. In the early growth stage of the calla lily, the nutrient solution concentration can be controlled at 1.2ms/cm; in the middle and late growth stages it can be appropriately raised to 1.5ms/cm, and throughout the entire growth period the pH value of the nutrient solution should be kept between 5.6 and 6.5. The amount of nutrient solution supplied mainly depends on the weather conditions and the size of the plant; usually supply the solution 2-3 times a day to ensure the growing substrate layer stays moist and a shallow layer of water remains at the bottom of the trough.
3. Water culture management and pest and disease control
Plant management for calla lily is relatively simple, mainly removing yellow leaves and some outer leaves. The purpose of removing outer leaves is to avoid crowding of the leaves, which affects light and ventilation, and to let the flower stalks extend out. According to the nursery stock trading website miaomu.w.cn, the main pests and diseases of calla lily include bacterial soft rot, aphids, red spiders, and so on. Bacterial soft rot can damage leaves, petioles and tubers, and is mainly spread by bacteria carried on the tubers; at the first onset, it can be controlled by spraying 500 times diluted Bordeaux mixture.
Precautions for water-grown calla lily
Calla lily growth and flowering require fresh, clean air. Calla lily is very sensitive to cooking fumes and toxic gases, so water-grown calla lilies should be placed far from the kitchen to avoid smoke and dust pollution. During the growth period of the calla lily, plenty of sunlight is needed, so in winter it should be exposed to sunlight as much as possible.
Secondly, when growing calla lily in water, pay attention to air circulation. If ventilation is poor and the temperature is higher than the natural air temperature, it will lead to damage by pests such as mealybugs, aphids and leaf rollers. If found, use 1500-2000 times diluted omethoate solution to kill them.
Water culture of calla lily is essentially oxygen-deficient cultivation, so zero pollution must be achieved. If the nutrient solution is contaminated by microorganisms, it will consume the dissolved oxygen in the water. Therefore, always maintaining the nutrient solution in a clean state and inorganic in nature, and maintaining the necessary dissolved oxygen level in the nutrient solution, is the key to water-grown calla lily.
Growth habits of calla lily
It likes a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight. It is not tolerant of cold or drought. The suitable growth temperature is 15-25°C, and the nighttime temperature should not be lower than 13°C. If the temperature is higher than 25°C or lower than 5°C, it is forced into dormancy. Calla lily likes water, and the soil should be kept moist during the growth period; after the tubers enter dormancy during the high-temperature period in summer, watering should be controlled. The soil should be fertile, clay loam with good water retention, with a pH value between 6.0 and 6.5.
Propagation methods for calla lily
1. Division: When the old leaves gradually wither after flowering in May-June and new leaves grow, or when repotting in mid-September, peel off the small tubers around the mother plant and pot them up by grade. Generally, they bloom 3 months after planting.
2. Sowing: Mainly sow in pots indoors. The suitable germination temperature is 18-24°C, and they germinate 15-20 days after sowing. Seedlings need to be cultivated for 3-4 years before they can bloom.
As described above, there are quite a few ways to plant calla lily, so you can choose the planting method! However, the editor also prefers water-grown calla lilies, because soil culture easily dirties the home, but water culture looks much cleaner overall. Those who like it can also raise two small fish in the water!