It is not for nothing that the word “calla” means “beautiful” when translated from Greek. This spectacular flower will decorate the coast of a reservoir, but beginners do not always manage to grow it. After all, for this you need to know some subtleties. We will tell you about them.
Many gardeners love calla lilies not only for their beauty, but also for the vanilla aroma that the flowers emit. By the way, in a non-flowering form this plant is no less attractive due to its rather large and dense leaves. They often have variegated colors.
Tuberous callas need warmth, so in the middle zone they are grown in open ground only from spring to autumn, and in winter the tubers are stored in conditions that are comfortable for the plant. In addition, calla lilies can be grown all year round in a warm room, in a container. But observing the temperature regime alone is often not enough to enjoy the spectacular blooming of calla lilies. Let's see what difficulties beginner gardeners most often encounter and answer the most common questions.
How to store tuberous calla lilies?
First, the tubers are cleared of soil, after which they are dipped into a fungicide solution for 20-30 minutes. After this time, they are dried in the sun for 2-3 days.
Then the wilted leaves are cut off and the tubers are stored in a container with sawdust, peat or vermiculite. The container is placed in a dry room with an air temperature of 10-12°C. In winter, make sure that the tubers do not rot or dry out.
The calla tuber must have a diameter of at least 7 cm. Otherwise, flowers are unlikely to appear from it in the first year
Lighting and temperature requirements
The culture will bloom only with a sufficient amount of light - it should be diffused, not too bright. A window sill or shelf next to a window where the sun hits in the afternoon is ideal. The length of daylight during the growing season is at least 12 hours, during the dormant period - 10 hours.
Callas are thermophilic and grow best at t=+20-25 °C. Avoid sudden changes in temperature and avoid drafts. When the temperature drops to +8 °C or lower, the flower may die. Tuberous zantedeschia, after it has shed its leaves, is transferred to a cool, shaded place and not watered until sprouts appear.
What to do if the tubers sprouted ahead of time?
If sprouts appear in winter, it is best to plant the tubers in a small container with fresh, light soil and place them on a window located on the south side. After about 2 weeks, the first leaves will grow. If the daylight hours are still short, the plants need additional lighting. When the weather becomes warm outside, the callas are transplanted into open ground or into larger containers.
Please note: for calla lilies to bloom well, the tubers must be dormant for at least two months a year.
Indoor views
Some types of zantedeschia are grown at home. Based on them, modern varieties of indoor calla lilies have been developed that bloom at different times.
Z. Ethiopian (Z. aethiopica)
The species is native to the regions of southern Africa, so its representatives have adapted to living in conditions of prolonged drought. The root system consists of a succulent rhizome and fleshy, cord-like roots. During the growing season, many shoots are formed around the rhizome, producing small leaves. The suckers need to be removed to obtain decorative long-lasting flowering.
The total height of the plant is from 60 to 100 cm. The wide, long (20-45 cm) leaf is single, oval-heart-shaped, the tip is pointed, located on a fleshy, tender petiole. Inconspicuous small flowers are collected in a dense spadix, located on a thick tubular branch. The outside of the cob is wrapped in a blanket that expands upward; its width reaches 20-25 cm. It blooms from spring to late autumn. During the dormant period the leaf does not shed.
Z. elliottiana
The height of the variety is 40-60 cm. It is distinguished by original, light shades of green, leaves covered with small specks. In nature, the spathe is bright yellow or greenish-yellow; in varietal flowers it is creamy-lemon, white on the outside, and pink-purple on the inside. The root system is tuberous.
Z. rehmannii
A compact, medium-tall (no more than 70 cm) tuberous plant with narrow, long, light green leaves that shed in autumn. The root is tuberous, externally the same as that of begonia and gloxinia. Coloring the bedspread in various shades of pink.
How to grow calla lilies as a container crop?
To plant calla lilies, use a pot with a diameter of 30-40 cm. Drainage made of expanded clay or sand is placed at the bottom of the container, and a permeable nutrient soil mixture is poured on top. Tubers are planted to a depth of 3-5 cm (this depends on their size) and watered abundantly. The pot is placed in a well-lit room with an air temperature of 13-18°C.
After the first leaves sprout, the calla lilies are transferred to a warmer place (with a daytime temperature of 22-25°C and a night temperature of at least 8°C). There should also be a lot of light here.
Moist soil and good lighting are necessary conditions for the appearance of calla lilies.
Every 14 days, it is recommended to feed calla lilies with complex fertilizer for flowering plants. Then, after 1.5 months from the date of planting, it will delight you with the first blooming flowers.
Care after the store
At home, calla lilies need to be quarantined (12-14 days) to protect indoor plants or, conversely, a new flower from possible infections and pests. If signs of disease appear, then begin treatment with fungicides, then transplant into a new pot, changing the soil. You can deal with insects (aphids, spider mites) by washing the leaves and stems first with clean water, then with a solution of laundry or tar soap, and treating them with insecticides.
At the end of quarantine, the flower is transplanted into another pot, completely replacing the soil or adding new soil to its full volume, since plants for sale are planted in small containers. After transplantation, keep for 1-1.5 weeks in a cool room with diffused light, spray daily. As soon as rooting has occurred, they are transferred to a permanent place and only then begin to feed (with the exception of the dormant period).
Plants contain toxic calcium oxalate, which causes severe skin irritation. If ingested, it leads to swelling of the mucous membranes and malfunction of internal organs. Pruning, planting, and replanting should be done with gloves.
How to grow calla lilies from seeds?
Seeds are sown superficially in a container with loose soil (for example, a mixture of peat and sand in a ratio of 1:4). An interval of about 8 cm is maintained between them. The container is placed in a well-lit place with an air temperature of at least 18°C. When the seedlings become crowded, they are planted in separate pots. Callas grown from seeds bloom 2-3 years after sowing.
Do not forget that calla lilies are poisonous, especially their tubers. Therefore, when planting, wear protective gloves and isolate the flower from small children and pets.
Pottery and plastic pots
To grow calla lilies in a pot, you need to choose the right container. Before choosing a potty type, you should familiarize yourself with the benefits of each type. Distinctive features of a pottery pot are:
- significant weight, due to which the plant is less at risk of being knocked over;
- porous material through which excess moisture can evaporate;
- The natural color of the pot matches any color of flowering plants.
A plastic pot has its advantages:
- lightweight and less likely to break if dropped;
- there are many holes at the bottom of the pot, so there is no need for drainage;
- you can choose any color;
- The pot is easy to clean.
The most spectacular pots are pottery ones with hand-made molding and colored glaze, but they are also priced accordingly. Such pots fit perfectly into a classic-style interior.
Possible problems and difficulties
Any plant is susceptible to misfortunes in the form of small pests or diseases, and calla lilies are no exception.
It is important to recognize the problem at an early stage and immediately take the necessary measures.
Calla lily diseases and care during this period
The appearance of insects can be recognized by the following signs:
- The leaves begin to curl and become covered with light spots, the flower stalks are painted with light patterns. The disease is called yellow spot, and the causative agent is insects - thrips. To combat them, the plant is treated with a diluted insecticide for flowers (Fitoverm, Aktara, Fufanon).
- Spider mites manifest themselves as dry leaves and the formation of small cobwebs on them. It develops in dry indoor air, which requires adjustment after treatment with drugs.
- Deformation, curling and further falling of leaves can be signs of aphids on calla lilies. Insects feed on the sap from the leaves and leave sticky spots. In the fight against pests, it is effective to wash them off with a soap solution in the early stages or treat them with drugs:
- Aktara;
- Tobacco dust;
- Spark.
Treatment is carried out several times with a break of 1 week.
Also, if the rules of care are not followed, the plant begins to wither or stops growing.
Elongated leaves and stems with a pale color are observed with insufficient lighting time or lack of intensity.
With a lack of nutrition, the leaves begin to break off, which is usually combined with a lack of growth and flowering.
Anthracnose
Anthracosis may be one of the reasons why the leaves of indoor calla lilies turn yellow. Brown spots resembling rust appear on the leaf blades. Later the leaves dry out completely and fall off.
Anthracosis requires removal of damaged areas and treatment with a fungicidal agent.
Gray rot
The appearance of a gray coating on the leaves indicates the presence of a fungal disease. Treatment with a fungicidal preparation (Vitaros, Fundazol) can save the plant.
To prevent subsequent infection, frequent ventilation of the room and reduction of watering and spraying are required.
Bacterial rot
Bacterial rot develops on roots in too wet a substrate. The disease manifests itself as leaf rotting and death. Tubers or rhizomes become covered with dark spots. The plant is very difficult to save, even at an early stage. It is necessary to completely cut off all affected areas, treat them and plant them in new soil, reducing the frequency of watering.
Root rot
Unexpected drying of leaves or flowers may be a consequence of overwatering and the development of root rot. To combat it, the soil should be treated with Ridomil or Previkur, and the upper part should be replaced with a new one. Prevention is moderate watering and periodic change of the top layer of the substrate.
No flowering
If the calla lily does not please its owner with elegant flowering , then the most likely reasons lie in improper care of the plant:
- Lack of space in the pot, which is not always reflected in the growth rate of foliage, but may be the reason why calla lilies do not bloom at home.
- Insufficient lighting and frequent moving of the pot from place to place. The flower is forced to constantly be under stress and adapt to new conditions, which leaves no energy for the formation of buds.
- Lack or lack of fertilizing, especially before the start of the active period. The cause may also be the alkaline reaction of the soil, which does not allow food to be absorbed by the root system.
- A short duration of the resting phase in a cool place, during which flower buds do not have time to develop.
- Overgrown tubers requiring replanting .
- A large amount of soil in the pot, promoting the development of putrefactive processes.
- Author: Maria Sukhorukikh
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Scary flower?
Europeans will tell you why callas are flowers of death. Traditionally in Europe it is customary to bring white flowers to funerals. In a cemetery, calla lilies feel great, grow and bloom well.
Giving white flowers to an elderly woman is considered bad manners and a hint of imminent departure. This applies not only to calligraphy, but also to chrysanthemums, carnations and even roses.
Another reason why calla lilies are flowers of death is their appearance. The flower does not look alive, but as if sculpted from wax. To some people, the yellow center resembles a candle in its appearance, and the white petal resembles a funeral shroud.
To answer the question why calla lilies are flowers of death, it is worth analyzing the properties of the plant. All types of flower are poisonous. The juice of the plant, if it gets on mucous membranes or wounds, causes irritation, and in some cases, swelling of the throat and vomiting.
There is a superstition about why calla lilies are the flowers of death. The flower reacts sharply to changes in the surrounding energy. Sensitive people are able to predict future troubles based on the state of the flower and change the course of events. Although calla lilies indeed predict imminent death, they are not capable of attracting death. You shouldn’t throw away this living barometer of your family’s condition. A flower can become an excellent talisman for its owner, or a curse, depending on the person’s attitude towards his plant.
Despite ominous superstitions, in many countries calla lilies are a popular decoration for gardens and are loved by florists. Flower growers value the plant for its unpretentiousness and ability to grow in shaded areas. Beauty and minimal care make the flower ideal for beginners in growing flowers.
