When Does the Calla Lily Bloom? The Latest Detailed Guide to Its Blooming Period
The calla lily is also known as cigu flower, water taro, wild taro, arrowhead flower, calla lily, flower taro, and so on. It is a perennial robust herbaceous plant of the genus Zantedeschia in the Araceae family. In European and American countries it is a commonly used flower in bridal bouquets. Its blooming period is generally March to April, but if the environment is suitable, it can bloom all year round. The flower colors include white, red, yellow, silver-star, purple-spot, and so on. Let us take a look together below!
When Does the Calla Lily Bloom
In a warm, humid environment where winter is not cold and summer is not hot, the calla lily can bloom all year round, with March to April being the peak blooming period. Different varieties also have different blooming periods. For example, the yellow calla lily blooms from July to August, the red calla lily blooms in June, and the silver-star calla lily blooms from July to August.
Growing Habits of the Calla Lily
The calla lily is native to southern Africa and often grows beside rivers or in swamps. It likes a warm climate, is not cold-tolerant, and is not tolerant of high temperatures. The suitable growing temperature is around 20°C. At 0°C the rhizome will freeze and die. In winter it needs sufficient sunlight; when light is insufficient, it produces fewer flowers. It is slightly shade-tolerant. In summer, when the sunlight is too intense and scorching, appropriate shading should be provided. It likes moisture, and slight water accumulation does not affect its growth much, but it is not drought-tolerant. It likes loose, fertile clay loam rich in humus. Its dormancy period varies with the region. When cultivated in the Yangtze River basin and northern China, it should be moved into a greenhouse in winter, blooms in winter and spring, and goes dormant in summer due to high temperature and drought. However, in subtropical regions where winter is not cold and summer is not dry and hot, it does not go dormant all year round.
How to Make the Calla Lily Bloom All Year Round
1. Repotting and changing the soil: To keep the calla lily blooming all year round, it should be repotted and have its soil changed twice a year. A larger pot should be chosen to maintain sufficient nutritional area. The first repotting should be done in early April after the winter flowers have finished blooming, and the second after the start of autumn. If the rhizomes have filled the entire pot, division must be carried out, and each plant should not have more than 3 leaf clusters. The growing soil needs to be loose, breathable, and have a certain water-retention capacity. Sufficient base fertilizer should also be applied to ensure a lasting supply of nutrients.
2. Cool maintenance: Except during the hottest days of summer, for most of spring, summer, and autumn, the calla lily should be kept in a cool place for maintenance. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight, nor kept in complete shade. Before the rainy season arrives, water should often be sprayed on the ground to increase air humidity. The potting soil should remain moist and must not be allowed to dry out between waterings. A dilute liquid fertilizer should be applied every 10 to 12 days. In mid-October it should be moved indoors, after which it can receive more sunlight. Pay attention to ventilation to prevent pests and diseases.
3. Timely pruning: The leaves of the calla lily have a relatively short lifespan. After new leaves grow, the old outer leaves begin to turn yellow, and the yellow leaves should be cut off in time. After the flowers fade, the spent flowers and flower stalks should also be cut off in time. Otherwise, seed formation will consume nutrients and affect future blooming. When watering, do not spray onto the plant cluster, to prevent the pruned areas from rotting and infecting the whole plant.
4. Maintain temperature and humidity: Maintenance in midsummer and severe winter is the key to whether the calla lily can bloom all year round. In mid-July of midsummer, the potted plant should be moved to a place with drafty air, preferably fully shaded. At noon and in the afternoon, water should be sprayed on the ground 2 to 3 times to prevent heat and lower the temperature. If the daytime maximum temperature does not exceed 30°C, it can continue to bloom. In winter, the room temperature should preferably be 16°C to 18°C, and must not be lower than 8°C. If the indoor air is dry, water should be sprayed around it to increase humidity, to prevent yellow leaf edges. At the same time, light should be increased so that they bloom continuously in winter.