Calla lilies can be grown indoors as potted plants.The flowers are easy to maintain and come in a variety of colors, making them popular with people.The best way to grow calla lilies is from bulbs.Calla lilies are native to South Africa and can be kept outdoors in the summer, but you need to prepare them for winter in cooler climates.
Step 1: An appropriate pot is what you should choose.
It's not difficult to grow calla lilies in pots, but you need the right container.There are lots of drainage holes in a deep container that is about 30 cm in diameter.Growing calla lilies in large pots will help to keep the soil moist, and will ensure there's plenty of room for the tubers to grow.
Step 2: Make the soil moist.
You can fill your pot with a potting mix.The soil should be transferred to a larger bucket.Adding warm water to the soil will make it moist but not soggy.To distribute water evenly, stir the soil with your hand.
Step 3: The bulb should be planted.
To fill it two-thirds of the way, transfer moistened soil back to the pot.The bulb should be placed in the center of the soil, not down into it.The rest of the way, surround the bulb with more soil.You fill the pot most of the way before planting the bulb because it shouldn't be planted too deep.
Step 4: The pot should be moved to a bright location.
It takes about six hours of indirect sunlight every day to grow calla lilies.In full sunlight, the leaves and flowers will burn.You can choose a bright location that is partially shaded or that only gets indirect light.
Step 5: As the plant grows, keep the soil moist.
To help settle the soil around the bulb, add a little extra water immediately after planting.If the soil starts to dry out, give the plant more water to keep it moist.The dark leaf tips are a sign of overwatering.
Step 6: The plant should be fed monthly.
The calla lilies will benefit from regular applications.If you want to feed the plant, apply the 10-10-10 liquidfertilizer to the soil.When the plant is not in a state of dormancy, repeat every month.Eight weeks after planting, the plant should start to flower.
Step 7: For the summer, transfer the pot to an outdoor location.
When the weather warms up in the summer, the calla lilies can be found outside.It is the ideal place if it gets only indirect sun.Bring the calla lilies back inside when the weather cools down.
Step 8: During periods of dormancy, transfer the plant to a dark place.
The leaves turning yellow is a sign that the plant is inactive.At this point, stop feeding and watering the plant.Leave the plant in an indoor location that is cool and dark for two to three months.There is a state of dormancy for calla lilies.In order to create their beautiful flowers, they need this rest period.The temperature for calla lilies is between 60 and 75 F.
Step 9: The plant needs to be replanted in fresh soil.
When the plant has rested for a while, fill a new pot with fresh, moist soil.Transfer the bulb to the new pot by digging it up with your hands.Continue your watering and feeding schedule if you move the plant to a bright location.
Step 10: Plant in the middle to late spring.
If you take care of your calla lilies before the winter, you can transplant them to the garden in the spring, summer, and fall.When the temperatures begin to rise and there's no more chance of frost, you can plant lilies outside.
Step 11: There is a location with bright, indirect light.
Calla lilies need a lot of sunlight to grow.An area that gets partial shade is ideal.
Step 12: The soil should be amended with organic matter.
The soil in the garden bed needs to be loosened before planting.Spread compost or organic mulch over the garden bed.The calla lily will benefit from the organic matter being put into the soil with a tiller.
Step 13: The flowers should be planted in the soil.
There is a hole in the ground for the bulb.Place the bulb into the hole with your hands.The bulb should be covered with fresh soil.If you are moving more than one calla lily, divide them by 30 cm.
Step 14: The soil needs to be moist.
As the plant grows, give it water as soon as the soil feels dry.The soil is always moist, but not soggy.If the leaf tips start to turn, cut back on the water.
Step 15: The plant needs to be fed every month.
Calla lilies need a lot of extra vitamins and minerals because they produce so many flowers.Add the water to the soil at the base of the plant with the same amount of water as before.You can increase the feedings every two weeks when the calla lilies start to bloom.
Step 16: When flowers die, stop watering and feeding.
The leaves will turn yellow when you do this, which means the plant is in a state of dormancy.This happens in the winter.The plant has time to rest and recuperate for next season.
Step 17: When the foliage dies, cut it down.
To sterilize scissors or shears, wipe them with alcohol.Take the foliage and flowers down to the soil level.
Step 18: The bulbs need to be dug up before the last frost.
The soil around the bulb needs to be loosened.Use your hand to remove the bulb from the soil.It may be difficult to remove it if you do this before the frosts.If you live in a warm climate, you can leave the bulbs in the ground for the season.To keep the bulb warm, cover the area with a thick layer of mulch.
Step 19: The bulb needs to be trimmed.
After rinsing the bulb, pat it dry with a towel.The growth around the bulb should be no more than a half-inch (13mm) long if you use the scissors.
Step 20: The bulb should be dry overnight.
The bulb should be placed on a wire cooling rack.The bulb should be left out to dry for at least 12 hours.You want the bulb to be completely dry before you put it into storage.
Step 21: The bulb should be kept cool and dry.
The bulb can be put in a paper bag or a pot filled with moss.You need to keep the bulb well-ventilated.If you want to replant the bulb in the spring, transfer it to a cool and dark location.For the duration of the winter, store the bulb between 60 and 75 F.
Step 22: Learn to identify forms.
The most common one is zantedeschia aethiopica, which can tolerate soggy soils.There is a species that can be added to water garden settings.It's easy to identify by its large leaves and white flowers.It can survive outdoors if there is extra mulch in hardy zones 6 and above.
Step 23: You can identify the tender forms.
The tender forms of Z. elliottiana, Z rehmannii, and Z albomaculata are the most common ones.They are often referred to as calla lilies.White and spotted leaves can't be seen by these flowers.The species can't stand frost and are not so Adaptable to soggy soil.Perennials and annuals are best grown in a flower bed or container.There are also hybrid groups of these two groups which can be hard to tell, so treat as annuals or dig/move the bulbs indoors at fall before the cold weather sets in.You can check with a website or plant expert.