How to Grow Calla Lily in Water? Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods
Calla lily is a perennial robust herbaceous plant of the genus Zantedeschia in the Araceae family. It is a potted flower deeply loved by flower enthusiasts. Its flowers and leaves can be used as cut flower material. Dwarf and small-flowered varieties are potted for placement on steps, windowsills, balconies, and in front of mirrors, looking especially lively and cute. Now let us take a look at how to grow calla lily in water!
Can Calla Lily Be Grown in Water
Calla lily can be grown in water. Calla lily is a wetland plant; its rhizome retains the genetic heritage of aquatic plants, and its aquatic vascular aeration tissue is relatively well developed. Under pollution-free cultivation conditions, it can adapt to static water culture in indoor containers. However, care must be taken to always maintain the nutrient solution in a clean state and with an inorganic nature, so as to maintain the necessary level of dissolved oxygen in the solution. This is the decisive factor for successful cultivation; otherwise, it will inevitably lead to root rot and death of the cultivated plant.
Variety Selection for Calla Lily
For water-cultured calla lily, relatively short and compact varieties such as White-Stem Calla Lily, Red-Flower Calla Lily, and Silver-Star Calla Lily are usually chosen. If large plants are the goal, the taller Green-Stem variety or Yellow-Flower Calla Lily can be selected.
1. White-Stem Calla Lily: The tubers of White-Stem Calla Lily are relatively small and growth is slower, but it blooms early and produces many flowers. The flower stem is white, the spathe is large and round, the base of the petiole is white-green, and growth is slow. The spathe is white, and tubers with a diameter of 1-2 cm can bloom.
2. Red-Flower Calla Lily: The bracts of Red-Flower Calla Lily are rose red, the leaves are lanceolate, it is dwarf, and the flowering period is in June.
3. Silver-Star Calla Lily: Silver-Star Calla Lily is also called Spotted-Leaf Calla Lily. The plant height is about 60 cm, the leaves are large with white spots on them, the spathe is yellow or milky white with purple-red spots at the base, the natural flowering period is from July to August, and it goes dormant in winter.
How to Grow Calla Lily in Water
1. Solution preparation: For the water culture nutrient solution of calla lily, the following nutrient solution formula can be used: calcium nitrate 800 g, monopotassium phosphate 210 g, magnesium sulfate 250 g, potassium nitrate 500 g, ammonium nitrate 30 g, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid iron salt 10 g, manganese sulfate 2 g, zinc sulfate 1 g, boric acid 1.3 g, copper sulfate 0.15 g, ammonium molybdate 0.1 g.
2. Solution management: Throughout the entire growth period of calla lily, control the pH value of the nutrient solution between 5.6-6.5. The supply amount of nutrient solution is mainly determined according to weather conditions and plant size. Usually, the solution is supplied 2-3 times a day to ensure that the cultivation substrate layer remains moist and that there is a shallow water layer at the bottom of the trough.
3. Plant management: 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 leaves that affects light and ventilation, and to allow the flower stems to extend. The main pests and diseases include bacterial soft rot, aphids, red spiders, etc. Bacterial soft rot can damage leaves, petioles, and tubers, and is mainly spread by bacteria carried on the tubers. At the initial stage of the disease, Bordeaux mixture at 500 times dilution can be sprayed for control.
4. Precautions
① Calla lily growth and flowering require fresh and clean air. Calla lily is very sensitive to cooking fumes and toxic gases, so water-cultured calla lily should be placed away from the kitchen to avoid smoke and dust pollution. During the growth period of calla lily, sufficient sunlight is needed, so in winter it should be exposed to sunlight as much as possible.
② 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 discovered, use omethoate 1500-2000 times medicinal solution to kill them.
③ 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 with an inorganic nature, and maintaining the necessary level of dissolved oxygen in the nutrient solution, is the key to water-cultured calla lily.