How should calla lilies be cared for during their summer dormancy to get through the summer safely?
Calla lilies enter a dormant period in summer, so after they finish blooming in April to May, their leaves gradually wither and turn yellow; this is normal. So how should dormant calla lilies be cared for during the hot summer?
Calla lily
After summer begins, tip the plant out of the pot and take out the tubers, storing them in a ventilated, cool place. In early September, when the weather turns cooler, select thick, sturdy tubers with buds and plant them in pots. The number of tubers planted depends on the pot size; generally, plant 1 to 2 in an 18 cm pot, 2 to 3 in a 21 to 24 cm pot, and 3 to 4 in a 27 to 30 cm pot. The soil covering the pot surface should be slightly thick; after planting, water thoroughly, and leaves will sprout in about 10 days. Calla lilies like light and fertilizer, so during the growing period the potted plant should receive full sunlight, and fertilizer should be applied about once every 10 days; after 2 months, add more phosphorus fertilizer to encourage flower buds to form. Calla lilies like warmth and fear cold; during the growing period they can be watered more, but do not let the potting soil dry out. After late October, when the temperature drops, move them indoors to a sunny spot. After the weather warms in spring, calla lilies will bloom with pure white flowers.
How to care for calla lilies in summer
Calla lilies are summer-dormant flowers; after the peak bloom in April to May, the leaves gradually wilt and turn yellow, which is a normal physiological phenomenon. After the leaves wither and yellow, the pot should be laid on its side to avoid rain and encourage dormancy.
After summer begins, tip the plant out of the pot and take out the tubers, storing them in a ventilated, cool place. In early September, when the weather turns cooler, select thick, sturdy tubers with buds and plant them in pots. The number of tubers planted depends on the pot size; generally, plant 1 to 2 in an 18 cm pot, 2 to 3 in a 21 to 24 cm pot, and 3 to 4 in a 27 to 30 cm pot. The soil covering the pot surface should be slightly thick; after planting, water thoroughly, and leaves will sprout in about 10 days. Calla lilies like light and fertilizer, so during the growing period the potted plant should receive full sunlight, and fertilizer should be applied about once every 10 days; after 2 months, add more phosphorus fertilizer to encourage flower buds to form. Calla lilies like warmth and fear cold; during the growing period they can be watered more, but do not let the potting soil dry out. After late October, when the temperature drops, move them indoors to a sunny spot. After the weather warms in spring, calla lilies will bloom with pure white flowers.
These factors in the process of growing summer-dormant flowers
1. Care of summer-dormant flowers
Some plants cannot carry on as usual under high temperatures, such as clivia (Clivia miniata), tulips, geraniums, narcissus, fuchsias, freesias, calla lilies, cyclamen and the like. Because high temperatures inhibit the growth of these flowers, they should be watered less or not at all.
Afterward, dig up the tubers and place them in a ventilated, dry and cool place; it is best not to let them touch direct sunlight, and store them covered with a small amount of slightly moist coarse sand.
2. Light
Light is very important for plants. Plants such as Chinese roses, tree peonies, osmanthus, jasmine, poinsettias and pomegranates should be placed in places with strong sunlight and long sunshine hours, while plants such as chrysanthemums, dahlias, white magnolias, hibiscus, and fuchsias should be placed in spots that are half shaded. Plants such as orchids, camellias, azaleas, gardenias, begonias, banana shrubs, clivia, calla lilies, asparagus ferns, Chinese evergreen, spider plants and hostas fear high temperatures and should be placed where they receive only a little sunlight or scattered light.
3. Temperature
Temperature is likewise a factor affecting flower growth. Summer flowers are not very suited to high temperatures; overly hot weather may cause leaf drop and dormancy, or delay flowering, so summer flowers like these should all be placed in cool, shady places.
4. Humidity
Having covered light and temperature, next comes humidity; growing flowers is very particular, so every aspect must be considered. In summer, because the sun is too strong, flowers lose water relatively quickly, so it depends on the plant: some non-flowering flowers can be watered a little less; some flowers that like cool, damp conditions can be watered a little less; it is best not to water at noon, and the temperature of the water must be about the same as the soil temperature.
5. Fertilizing
The principle for fertilizing plants in summer is to apply thin fertilizer frequently. It is best not to fertilize under the blazing midday sun or in heavy rain. You can use a decomposed liquid made by mixing rice-washing water, rotten eggs, animal matter and the like as fertilizer, to make up for a shortage of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.
6. Pruning and shaping
Summer flowers tend to grow a lot, and if diseased or dead branches appear, they should be pruned promptly. Pruning and shaping can not only form new buds and new leaves, accumulate nutrients for the plant, and improve ventilation and light penetration, but can also promote branching and increase the growth of flower buds.