Colored Calla Lily Propagation Methods and Cultivation Notes (with pictures)
Colored calla lily is the general term for species and hybrid varieties in the genus Zantedeschia (calla lily) of the Araceae family other than the white calla lily. It is native to central and southern Africa and is often used to make bouquets, flower baskets, wreaths and vase arrangements. Dwarf and small-flowered varieties are grown in pots and placed on steps, windowsills, balconies and in front of mirrors, planted in gardens, or grouped beside pools or rock piles. Now let's take a look at how to grow colored calla lilies!
Growth Habits of Colored Calla Lily
Colored calla lily fears both cold and heat and high temperatures. In hot seasons the aboveground parts wither and the underground rhizomes enter dormancy. Most calla lilies go dormant during the low-temperature period in winter. If the temperature is suitable, they can bloom year-round, but tubers replanted after dormancy bloom most profusely. In greenhouses in the north, the flowering period is from November to May of the following year. Cut flowers keep well in water, with an ornamental period of 15-20 days in winter and 7-10 days in summer. They require loose, well-drained, fertile or slightly clayey soil.
Propagation Methods of Colored Calla Lily
1. Division: After the main flowering period or after dormancy, dig out the tubers of vigorous clustered mother plants. According to the size of the original tubers and the number of buds, divide one clump into 2-3 clumps (each clump must have 2-3 buds), plant them separately and manage them normally; they will bloom in 3 months.
2. Bulblets: Dig out the tubers during dormancy. After normal division, some smaller tubers can also be cut off. These small tubers must be cultivated in the open field for 1-2 years before they can become flowering-sized tubers. Before the ground freezes in autumn, prepare the soil and make beds, and cultivate the bulblets in ordinary garden soil. Bulblets grow slowly; if a culture medium is used instead, most bulblets can form flowering-sized tubers in the same year.
3. Sowing: Because colored calla lily has a low natural seed-setting rate, seeds are not easy to obtain. If propagating by sowing, select and keep vigorous mother plants and carry out artificial supplementary pollination; seeds can be collected once mature. Sow immediately after collection. The suitable germination temperature is about 20°C, and sprouts emerge in about 4 weeks. Transplant when there are 2-3 true leaves. Under good cultivation and management conditions, flowering-sized tubers can be grown in two years.
Cultivation Methods of Colored Calla Lily
1. Soil: For growing calla lilies, the potting soil should preferably be a sandy, acidic soil with good aeration and drainage. It is best to place a layer of coarse sand grains at the bottom of the pot to benefit the growth of the calla lily, then mix in one third garden soil and leaf mold, and add a small amount of organic fertilizer. It is best to choose a shallow pot for planting calla lilies.
2. Temperature: Calla lily likes a semi-shaded environment; avoid placing it under strong light. The optimum growth temperature for calla lily is 22-30°C. Below 20°C, the growth rate of the calla lily slows down and may even stop. Calla lily likes warm, humid environments, so when overwintering, special attention must be paid to keeping it warm.
3. Watering: Calla lily is similar to other potted soil plants; watering should be based on how dry the potting soil is. Before watering, first check the condition of the potting soil. Usually, water can be sprayed on the surface of the potting soil and on the flowers to keep the soil moist. During the growth period it likes sufficient moisture, so water should often be sprinkled on the leaves and the ground, and attention should be paid to keeping the leaf surfaces clean.
4. Fertilizing: Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are suitable for fertilizing calla lilies. Fertile soil benefits the growth of calla lilies, so apply dilute fertilizer frequently to ensure the potting soil has enough nutrients. For those who want to save seeds, it is recommended that after the calla lily sets fruit, spray it with potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution once every 10 days at a concentration of 0.1% to 0.2%.
5. Light: During growth, calla lily relatively prefers a warm, shaded environment, but note that calla lilies at different growth stages have different light requirements. During the growth stage, calla lily is fairly shade-tolerant. When it is in the vigorous growth period, it needs abundant light conditions.
6. Disease prevention: In the growing season, when ventilation is poor, calla lilies are most prone to aphid damage. When pests occur, spray 40% omethoate emulsion at 1500-2000 times dilution for control, and pay attention to improving ventilation conditions.
Notes on Colored Calla Lily
1. Be careful to fertilize in the right amount: During the growth period, fertilize the calla lily once every 20 days. Use decomposed soybean cake water as the fertilizer. In the peak growing season, apply dilute fertilizer more often, once every 10 days. Apply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer liquid to the calla lily. Be sure to avoid pouring fertilizer water in from the leaf sheaths, as this will cause the calla lily to rot. Too little fertilizer may cause yellowing of the leaves due to poor nutrition, and too much fertilizer can also cause yellow leaves on the calla lily. After fertilizing, wash with clean water.
2. Pay attention to the planting season: Calla lily enters dormancy in June-July. At this time, the tubers around mature plants can be removed to grow new potted plants. The most suitable season for cultivation is August-September. Division propagation must be done in autumn, otherwise it will be difficult to bloom that year; even if it blooms, the flowering period will be late.
3. When does it bloom: February-April is the flowering season for calla lily. Be careful to provide sufficient light so that pure, healthy flowers can bloom. If the temperature is suitable, it can bloom year-round, but tubers replanted after dormancy bloom most profusely. In greenhouses in the north, the flowering period is from November to May of the following year. Cut flowers keep well in water, with an ornamental period of 15-20 days in winter and 7-10 days in summer.
4. Management during dormancy: After the flowering period ends, the calla lily will enter dormancy. At this time, reduce the amount of watering, especially after May when the plant begins to wither and turn yellow. Indoor locations should be ventilated and kept dry to prevent tuber rot. When the plant is completely dormant, the tubers can be taken out, dried and stored, then planted again in autumn.
5. Toxicity of calla lily: Calla lily flowers are toxic, containing large amounts of raphides (calcium oxalate crystals) and alkaloids. Ingestion by mistake can cause poisoning symptoms such as drowsiness. This species is listed as a non-toxic plant in the Chinese plant atlas database; its toxicity is that the tubers, spathe and spadix are toxic. Chewing a small piece of tuber can cause swelling and pain of the tongue and throat.
6. Promptly renew old leaves: During the peak period of growth and flowering, if the leaves are too lush, crowded and poorly ventilated, promptly peel off the old leaves on the outside that have already produced flower stems, cutting them from the base. The purpose is to avoid excessive leaves affecting light and ventilation, promote flower stem growth and increase yield. If there are not many old leaves but the new leaves are too vigorous, with poor internal ventilation and few flower stems, leaf-pulling treatment can also be carried out: gently press the leaves toward all sides to spread out the clump. Combined with reasonable water and fertilizer measures, this can increase flower yield.
How to Grow Colored Calla Lily: Cultivation Methods and Notes for Colored Calla Lily
Colored calla lily is a type of calla lily. How do you grow colored calla lily? Today we introduce the cultivation methods and notes for colored calla lily.
Cultivation Methods of Colored Calla Lily:
1. Temperature: The suitable growth temperature for colored calla lily is 15°C-25°C. When flowering, the daytime temperature should be 16°C-19°C. If the temperature is higher than 25°C or lower than 5°C, the colored calla lily plant will be forced into dormancy. The flowering period of colored calla lily is mainly affected by temperature and light; by controlling temperature and light, flowers can be supplied year-round.
2. Soil: For growing colored calla lily, choose sandy soil with good drainage, rich in organic matter, and a pH of around 7, and apply nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and a large amount of decomposed organic fertilizer.
3. Light: Colored calla lily likes sunlight. In winter it needs sufficient light; in summer avoid direct sunlight.
4. Watering: Colored calla lily likes a sunny, warm and humid environment, and is not tolerant of cold or drought. Generally, it should be kept moist in the early growth stage. After the calla lily plant finishes flowering, the amount of watering should be gradually reduced. When the leaves turn yellow and wither, watering should be stopped completely.
5. Fertilizing: During the growing season of colored calla lily, apply dilute liquid fertilizer once every half month. After the flower scape emerges, increase this to once a week until the end of the colored calla lily's flowering period.
Notes on Growing Colored Calla Lily:
After the colored calla lily plant finishes flowering, gradually reduce the amount of watering. By late April, move it outdoors and keep it in a slightly shaded place for care. Water once a day and sprinkle water on the ground near the flowerpot to increase air humidity.
After June, the leaves of the colored calla lily gradually wither and turn yellow and it enters dormancy. At this time, cut off the withered leaves, control watering, stop fertilizing, and move the flowerpot to a ventilated, cool place to encourage the colored calla lily to enter dormancy.
In autumn, after the weather turns cool, tip the colored calla lily tubers out of the flowerpot, take out the large tubers, and replant the colored calla lily with fresh fertile culture soil. When the tubers sprout leaves, gradually increase the amount of watering and at the same time resume fertilizing, so that the calla lily can continue to bloom.
Cultivation Methods and Notes for Colored Calla Lily
The colored calla lily has a unique flower shape and is a good cut flower variety. Colored calla lilies can be placed on steps, windowsills, balconies, in front of mirrors, and planted in gardens and other places for viewing. So what are the cultivation methods for colored calla lily? What should be noted in cultivation?
I. Cultivation Methods of Colored Calla Lily
1. Temperature: The suitable growth temperature for colored calla lily is 15°C-25°C. When flowering, the daytime temperature should be 16°C-19°C. If the temperature is higher than 25°C or lower than 5°C, the colored calla lily plant will be forced into dormancy. The flowering period of colored calla lily is mainly affected by temperature and light; by controlling temperature and light, flowers can be supplied year-round.
2. Soil: For growing colored calla lily, choose sandy soil with good drainage, rich in organic matter, and a pH of around 7, and apply nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and a large amount of decomposed organic fertilizer.
3. Light: Colored calla lily likes sunlight. In winter it needs sufficient light; in summer avoid direct sunlight.
4. Watering: Colored calla lily likes a sunny, warm and humid environment, and is not tolerant of cold or drought. Generally, it should be kept moist in the early growth stage. After the calla lily plant finishes flowering, the amount of watering should be gradually reduced. When the leaves turn yellow and wither, watering should be stopped completely.
5. Fertilizing: During the growing season of colored calla lily, apply dilute liquid fertilizer once every half month. After the flower scape emerges, increase this to once a week until the end of the colored calla lily's flowering period.
II. Notes on Growing Colored Calla Lily
1. The heart leaves of colored calla lily should not be exposed to waterlogging. If care is not taken during normal watering and dirty water flows into the leaf center, it can easily cause soft rot;
2. When fertilizing colored calla lily, apply it from the edge of the pot. Never let fertilizer liquid pour into the leaf stalks or splash into the center of the plant, otherwise it can easily cause yellow leaves or rot;
3. Calla lily is afraid of smoke, otherwise it will cause the leaves to turn yellow and the flower buds to drop.
The above iscultivation methods and notes for colored calla lilyintroduction, hoping it will help everyone grow colored calla lilies. If you want to learn more about colored calla lilies, keep following us.