How to Grow Calla Lilies: Planting Methods and Precautions
SummaryPlanting methods: choose well-drained sandy loam soil, apply sufficient base fertilizer, after planting water thoroughly and place in a shaded spot, keep the potting soil moist, after sprouting move to a shaded shed with scattered light, during the growing period apply liquid fertilizer about once every 20 days, spray water frequently on the leaves and ground, before frost move into a greenhouse (above 10°C), February to April is the peak flowering period, stop watering after flowering, the plant begins to turn yellow from May, pay attention to keeping it dry and ventilated to prevent tuber rot, after complete dormancy the tubers can be taken out. Planting time: autumn.
In recent years, calla lilies have become very popular with consumers on the market and are a relatively common plant. Calla lilies have high ornamental value, with white flowers and a slender yellow spadix in the center. After many people buy calla lilies and take them home, they are not very clear about how to grow them.
How to Grow Calla Lilies
1. Its requirements for soil and fertilization. When potting, you should choose well-drained sandy loam soil and apply sufficient base fertilizer. The base fertilizer is best made of fully decomposed cake fertilizer and pig manure. After planting, water thoroughly, place in a shaded spot, and keep the potting soil moist. After sprouting, move it under a shaded shed with scattered light for care, being careful not to expose it to direct sunlight, nor to shade it completely. In addition to applying base fertilizer before planting, during the growing period apply liquid fertilizer about once every 20 days. The fertilizer can be decomposed cake fertilizer water, and during the peak growing season a thin diluted fertilizer mixed with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can be applied about once every 10 days. When fertilizing, never pour the fertilizer water into the leaf sheaths, to avoid causing rot.
2. Its watering requirements. Calla lilies like sufficient moisture during the growing period, so water the leaves and ground frequently, and pay attention to keeping the leaves clean. Before frost, move them into a greenhouse, keeping the room temperature above 10°C. During the care period, to avoid too many leaves affecting light exposure, the outer leaves can be removed, which also helps the flower stalks extend. February to April is the peak flowering period; after flowering, gradually stop watering. After May the plant begins to turn yellow, and attention should be paid to ventilation and keeping it dry to prevent tuber rot. When the plant is completely dormant, the tubers can be taken out, dried and stored, then planted again in autumn.
Calla Lily Planting Methods
1. Planting: Soak the bulbs in a gibberellin solution for 10-15 minutes, then take them out and let them dry. The pot should be a bit deeper and the soil a bit looser; professional flower soil can be chosen. Put the bulbs in; for bulbs 3-4 cm, the planting depth is 10 cm, and for those over 5 cm, a depth of 15 cm is suitable.
2. Fertilizing: During the growing period of calla lilies, apply 20% decomposed human manure or cake fertilizer water about once every 15-20 days, which can make the leaves green and lush. After February, you can switch to applying 20% decomposed chicken manure and other liquid fertilizers containing more phosphorus, to promote the emergence of flower buds. When fertilizing, it should be poured into the leaf stalks, to avoid causing yellow leaves or rot.
3. Watering: Calla lilies like moisture, so they can usually be watered more. Keep the potting soil moist at all times, and do not let the potting soil dry out. While watering, you can also sprinkle water on the surrounding ground to keep the air moist. In winter, control watering, and once every 7-10 days use wet water to spray and wash the leaves, keeping them fresh and green.
Precautions for Planting Calla Lilies
1. Calla lilies are afraid of smoke, so in winter be careful not to place the flower pot near kitchen cooking fumes, otherwise the leaves will easily fall off.
2. Dwarf calla lilies have more ornamental value, and this can be achieved with only a little extra treatment during care. In summer, when calla lilies enter the dormant period and are being repotted, mix paclobutrazol with a small amount of fine soil, sprinkle it around the plant, 10-15 grams per pot, and then water, and it is done. After about a week, your plant will become small and delicate.
3. When fertilizing, the fertilizer water must not be poured on the leaves, and when growth is too fast, promptly remove the outer aged leaves. In summer, do not worry even if all the leaves turn yellow; take out the tubers, dry them, store them, and plant them again in autumn.
Propagation of Calla Lilies
Propagation is mainly by dividing the bulbs. After the plant enters the dormant period, peel off the small bulbs around the tuber and plant them separately. They can also be propagated by sowing; after the seeds mature, sow them in pots immediately. The suitable germination temperature is about 20°C.
1. Division: After flowering in May to June, when the old leaves gradually wither and new leaves grow, or when repotting in mid-September, peel off the small tubers around the mother plant and pot them by size. Generally they bloom 3 months after planting.
2. Sowing: Mainly by indoor pot sowing, with a suitable germination temperature of 18-24°C; they germinate 15-20 days after sowing, and seedlings need to be grown for 3-4 years before they can bloom.
When growing calla lilies, the most critical thing is to master the techniques of fertilizing and watering; too much or too little fertilization may affect the growth of calla lilies. When planting calla lilies, you can also choose an appropriate method of propagation, generally sowing and division propagation being the most common.