How to sow and propagate colored calla lilies? Master these key points
Colored calla lily (detailed introduction) is a bulbous flower native to Africa, and its suitable growing temperature is between 18-23°C. The flowering period of colored calla lily is affected by temperature and light. If temperature and light are properly controlled, flowers can be supplied year-round.
Colored calla lily
Colored calla lily can be propagated by seeds, and the seeds will germinate at a room temperature of 20 degrees. It can also be propagated by corms. After the colored calla lily enters dormancy, the small corms around the plant can be peeled off and replanted. It takes about 2-3 years to bloom. After sprouting, move it to a shaded shed with scattered light for care. Be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight, and do not keep it completely shaded. Colored calla lily prefers semi-shade and humid air. In summer, if measures such as cooling, increasing humidity and preventing strong light exposure are not taken, leaf yellowing or wilting is most likely to occur.
Key technical points for cut flower cultivation of colored calla lily
Colored calla lily is a perennial herbaceous bulbous flower of the genus Zantedeschia in the Araceae family. The colored calla lilies mainly cultivated as cut flowers include red calla lily and yellow calla lily, and they are native to South Africa. Their cultivation habits are fundamentally different from the common white calla lily, and cultivation is somewhat difficult. For this reason, referring to the advanced cultivation and management experience of countries such as the Netherlands, and combining recent research on the introduction, cultivation and propagation trials of colored calla lily, the cultivation techniques are summarized as follows:1. Selection and treatment of seed corms
1.1 Corm selection For corms used to produce cut flowers, choose vigorous, disease-free corms with bright color and plump buds. The corm size should preferably be about 3-5 cm in diameter. If the corm is too small, it will bloom less or not bloom at all.
1.2 Variety selection The corms should be selected from varieties with strong disease resistance, brilliant flower color, flower color change that is not sensitive to light, high cut flower yield, and a relatively large share in the market. 1.3 Pre-planting treatment of corms Treating colored calla lily corms with gibberellin can promote flowering and increase cut flower yield. Generally, before planting, soak them in a gibberellin solution at a concentration of 25-50 mg/kg for 10-15 minutes. If the time is too long or the concentration is too high, deformed flowers are very likely to occur.
2. Selection of cultivation environment Colored calla lily prefers a warm, humid and shaded environment, and is not cold-tolerant. The suitable temperature during the growing period is 15-24°C during the day, and the night temperature should not be lower than 12°C. High temperatures above 30°C can easily cause an outbreak of soft rot. The cultivation environment should maintain good ventilation and moderate shading. The cultivation site should preferably be sandy soil with higher terrain, good drainage, rich organic matter, and a pH value of around 7, and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and a large amount of decomposed organic fertilizer should be applied.
3. Corm planting
3.1 Planting time should be determined according to the needs for cut flowers and corms. However, colored calla lily planted in spring has the highest cut flower quality and yield; for forced and delayed cultivation, attention should be paid to the flowering treatment of corms and effective control of the cultivation environment in order to achieve success. Before sowing, promote sprouting, and plant after new buds begin to sprout.
3.2 Planting depth Generally, corms of 3-4 cm should be planted at a depth of 10 cm, and for corms larger than 5 cm, a depth of 15 cm is suitable. After planting, water thoroughly, and cover the ground with wheat straw to increase humidity and lower soil temperature, promoting corm sprouting and rooting.
4. Water and fertilizer management Water management during the growing period of colored calla lily is very important. In general, the early growth stage should be kept moist. Water should be appropriately controlled in the late flowering stage, and during the corm-nourishing period after flowering, a dry environment is suitable to plump the corms and force dormancy. When sufficient base fertilizer is applied, only appropriate topdressing is needed. Usually before flowering, spray 1000 times calcium nitrate as a foliar fertilizer 2 times, with an interval of 7 days, to promote flowering. After flowering, compound fertilizer should be applied to promote corm plumpness and maturity.
5. Harvesting and postharvest handling of cut flowers Colored calla lily takes about 60-70 days from sowing to flowering. Flowers should be harvested in the morning or evening when the temperature is lower, using the pulling method. For varieties with longer flower stems, the cutting method can also be used. After harvesting, spray 1000 times agricultural streptomycin for sterilization and disinfection. When cutting flowers, attention should be paid to disinfecting the cutting tools to avoid the spread of viruses between different plants. The harvested flower stems should be placed as soon as possible in preservative solution or clean water at 3-5°C for soaking, then packaged and sold on the market.
6. Harvesting and storage of corms Colored calla lily is a perennial bulbous flower. After cut flower harvesting, the corms can still be used the following year. The best time to harvest corms is after the aboveground leaves turn yellow. First dig the corms out of the soil, clean off the soil, do not forcibly strip off the roots, let them fall off naturally, and place them in a ventilated place. If conditions permit, disinfect the dried corms and store them in a cold storage. The suitable temperature is 8-10°C, and after 3 months of storage they can be planted. During storage, fumigate the cold storage with sulfur once a week to reduce the occurrence of diseases.
Key points for cultivating colored calla lily
Colored calla lily is a perennial herbaceous bulbous flower of the genus Zantedeschia in the Araceae family. The colored calla lilies mainly cultivated as cut flowers include red calla lily and yellow calla lily, and they are native to South Africa. Their cultivation habits are fundamentally different from the common white calla lily, and cultivation is somewhat difficult. For this reason, referring to the advanced cultivation and management experience of countries such as the Netherlands, and combining recent research on the introduction, cultivation and propagation trials of colored calla lily, the cultivation techniques are summarized as follows:
1. Selection and treatment of seed corms
1.1 Corm selection For corms used to produce cut flowers, choose vigorous, disease-free corms with bright color and plump buds. The corm size should preferably be about 3-5 cm in diameter. If the corm is too small, it will bloom less or not bloom at all.
1.2 Variety selection The corms should be selected from varieties with strong disease resistance, brilliant flower color, flower color change that is not sensitive to light, high cut flower yield, and a relatively large share in the market.
1.3 Pre-planting treatment of corms Treating colored calla lily corms with gibberellin can promote flowering and increase cut flower yield. Generally, before planting, soak them in a gibberellin solution at a concentration of 25-50 mg/kg for 10-15 minutes. If the time is too long or the concentration is too high, deformed flowers are very likely to occur.
2. Selection of cultivation environment Colored calla lily prefers a warm, humid and shaded environment, and is not cold-tolerant. The suitable temperature during the growing period is 15-24°C during the day, and the night temperature should not be lower than 12°C. High temperatures above 30°C can easily cause an outbreak of soft rot. The cultivation environment should maintain good ventilation and moderate shading. The cultivation site should preferably be sandy soil with higher terrain, good drainage, rich organic matter, and a pH value of around 7, and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and a large amount of decomposed organic fertilizer should be applied.
3. Corm planting
3.1 Planting time should be determined according to the needs for cut flowers and corms. However, colored calla lily planted in spring has the highest cut flower quality and yield; for forced and delayed cultivation, attention should be paid to the flowering treatment of corms and effective control of the cultivation environment in order to achieve success. Before sowing, promote sprouting, and plant after new buds begin to sprout.
3.2 Planting depth Generally, corms of 3-4 cm should be planted at a depth of 10 cm, and for corms larger than 5 cm, a depth of 15 cm is suitable. After planting, water thoroughly, and cover the ground with wheat straw to increase humidity and lower soil temperature, promoting corm sprouting and rooting.
4. Water and fertilizer management Water management during the growing period of colored calla lily is very important. In general, the early growth stage should be kept moist. Water should be appropriately controlled in the late flowering stage, and during the corm-nourishing period after flowering, a dry environment is suitable to plump the corms and force dormancy. When sufficient base fertilizer is applied, only appropriate topdressing is needed. Usually before flowering, spray 1000 times calcium nitrate as a foliar fertilizer 2 times, with an interval of 7 days, to promote flowering. After flowering, compound fertilizer should be applied to promote corm plumpness and maturity.
5. Harvesting and postharvest handling of cut flowers Colored calla lily takes about 60-70 days from sowing to flowering. Flowers should be harvested in the morning or evening when the temperature is lower, using the pulling method. For varieties with longer flower stems, the cutting method can also be used. After harvesting, spray 1000 times agricultural streptomycin for sterilization and disinfection. When cutting flowers, attention should be paid to disinfecting the cutting tools to avoid the spread of viruses between different plants. The harvested flower stems should be placed as soon as possible in preservative solution or clean water at 3-5°C for soaking, then packaged and sold on the market.
6. Harvesting and storage of corms Colored calla lily is a perennial bulbous flower. After cut flower harvesting, the corms can still be used the following year. The best time to harvest corms is after the aboveground leaves turn yellow. First dig the corms out of the soil, clean off the soil, do not forcibly strip off the roots, let them fall off naturally, and place them in a ventilated place. If conditions permit, disinfect the dried corms and store them in a cold storage. The suitable temperature is 8-10°C, and after 3 months of storage they can be planted. During storage, fumigate the cold storage with sulfur once a week to reduce the occurrence of diseases.