How to grow calla lily in water? Care methods and precautions
Calla lily is a perennial robust herbaceous plant of the genus Zantedeschia in the family Araceae. It is a potted flower deeply loved by flower enthusiasts, and its flowers and leaves can be used as cut flower materials. Dwarf and small-flowered varieties are potted for placement on steps, windowsills, balconies, and in front of mirrors, and are especially lively and lovely. Let us take a look below 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 hygrophytic plant, and its rhizome retains the genetic genes of aquatic plants. Its aquatic vascular aeration tissue is relatively well developed, and 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 inorganic in nature, so as to maintain the necessary dissolved oxygen level in the liquid. 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-flowered calla lily, and silver-flowered calla lily are usually selected. If large plants are the goal, the tall green-stem species or yellow calla lily can be selected.
1. White-stem calla lily: The tubers of white-stem calla lily are relatively small and growth is relatively slow, but it blooms early and bears many flowers. The flower stem is white, the spathe is large and round, and the base of the petiole is white-green. Growth is slow, the spathe is white, and tubers with a diameter of 1-2 cm can bloom.
2. Red-flowered calla lily: The bracts of red-flowered 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, 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: The nutrient solution for water-cultured calla lily can use the following nutrient solution formula: 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 is moist and there is a shallow water layer at the bottom of the trough.
3. Plant management: Plant management of calla lily is relatively simple, mainly stripping yellow leaves and some outer leaves. The purpose of stripping outer leaves is to avoid crowding of leaves affecting light and ventilation and to allow the flower stems to extend out. Pests and diseases mainly include bacterial soft rot, aphids, red spider mites, etc. Bacterial soft rot can damage leaves, petioles, and tubers, and is mainly spread by bacteria carried on tubers. At the initial stage of the disease, Bordeaux mixture at 500 times can be sprayed for control.
4. Precautions
① Calla lily requires fresh and clean air for growth and flowering. Calla lily is very sensitive to cooking fumes and toxic gases. Therefore, 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. Therefore, 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 found, 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 inorganic in nature, and maintaining the necessary dissolved oxygen level in the nutrient solution, is the key to water-cultured calla lily.