Calla Lily

After the plant finished flowering, the plant will be dormant and hence will be in rest for few months. Water is needed at this time. After few months it will start its growth cycle.

Cultivation : Calla lily can be grown from tubers or bulbs. Dig holes in the soil and burry the calla tubers in the soil for about 4 inches deep. Place the tubers in the soil such that its eye point (growing point) facing upward. If planted reversely there won’t be plant growth at all. The soil must be well drained, warm and the planting sight must receive full sun. In order to improve the drainage of your soil add organic materials or decomposed manure if needed. For best growth calla lily requires full sun. After planting, water it soaking the soil. In few week roots and sprouts formation takes place. Add fertilizers and provide adequate quantity of water as needed for better growth of plant. After the plant finished blooming for the season, do not cut off the foliages. These foliages on gathering sunlight give nourishment for next coming plants. To save tubers from cold areas for next planting, dig the tubers and let it to air dry for many days. After drying the tubers store them in cooler location in bags or boxes that are filled in with peat moss.

It can also be grown in container or pots, but more care should be taken for growing in container. The container must be protected from wind and must get full sun and never over water it. The container must be filed with rich, well-drained soil. Bury the calla tubers in the soil such that the eye of the tubers is facing upward and water soaking the soil. The tubers shoot up quickly when the soil is warm. Drainage hole is very necessary in container for proper drainage of soil.

Cover the plant with mulch to maintain the moisture of the soil and also to protect from winter frost. Fertilize once in a month for good growth of plant.

Propagation : Calla lily can be propagated from seed by sowing it in spring. Seed starts germinating in few weeks and plant in pots in warm location and wait till it starts its growth. After its growth to some extent, it can be replanted in desired location.

Calla lily can also be propagated by dividing the tubers, bulbs, corms when the growth stopped in dormant. It can also be propagated by cutting its basil in summer.

Varieties : Some of the names of calla lily varieties are Zantedeschia albomaculata, Zantedeschia valida, Zantedeschia aethiopica, Zantedeschia elliottiana, Zantedeschia rehmannii, Zantedeschia jucunda, Zantedeschia pentlandii, Zantedeschia odorata. Its entire species are native to South Africa. Among its species the rare species is Zantedeschia odorata, another rare species called Zantedeschia jucunda, Zantedeschia pentlandii gives large beautiful yellow flowers. The wide spreading species is Zantedeschia albomaculata and come in white and pink shades. Zantedeschia rehmannii is a species which gives sword shaped leaves and pink flowers. Calla lily varieties with the flower shades orange, purple, yellow, red are mostly derived from Zantedeschia pentlandii, Zantedeschia rehmanni and Zantedeschia albomaculata.

Disease and Cure : Water the plant regularly but excess water supply must be avoided, since it will cause the rotten bud, stem and root and plant get spoiled, hence appropriate amount of water should to supplied with an adequate days of gap between watering. Inadequate water causes the plant to lose its strength and hence the plant will die.

Wide-range fungicide must be used before the growth of bud in order to prevent the plant from fungal diseases, which spreads very easily throughout the plant when left unseen, and cause damage to whole plant due to high temperature swing. Use insecticide at the end of winter to protect the plant from the attack of aphids and cochineals. These treatments must be done when flower doesn’t bloom.

Cucumber mosaic virus and dasheen mosaic virus are the most common viruses, which infect calla lily plant. These viruses can be destroyed from the plant by shoot-tip micro propagation. The most effective way of eliminating virus from many plants is heat treatment in combination with shoot-tip culture. Protect the plant from chewing insects by taking some natural treatments.

Lily   Bird of paradise   Daisy   Orchid   Daffodil   Sunflower   Anthurium   Ranunculus   Sweet William   Sweet pea   Tulip   Camellia   Caladium   Gladiolus   Gerbera   Jasmine   Lavender   Poppy   Pansy   Rhododendron   Zinnia   Meanings of Flowers   Directory   Gazania Information