Calla (Zantedeschia) is often referred to as Calla lily. This is somewhat misleading as the indoor calla lily is not a lily but a plant of the aroid family with different care requirements than lilies. These tips will help you properly care for your Calla.

What is the right way to water the calla?

The Calla is native to South African swampy areas, which also experience periods of drought. In order to properly care for the plant, you must satisfy these demands.

During the growing season and flowering period, the soil must never dry out. It doesn't even do any harm if there is a little water in the coaster from time to time. Once a week you should spray the calla with a flower sprayer to increase the humidity.

During the resting phase and hibernation, the calla is not poured at all, so that the substrate dries out completely.

How should the calla be fertilized?

In the growth phase before flowering, fertilize every two weeks with a little flower liquid fertilizer in the irrigation water. During the flowering period, the calla is fertilized weekly. After flowering, no more fertilizer may be given.

Basically, it is better to provide the plant with too little fertilizer than with too much fertilizer.

When does the calla have to be repotted?

As with any potted plant, repotting is necessary at the latest when the pot is too small. However, gardening experts recommend replanting the calla every spring and replacing the entire soil.

The Calla does not get polluted, exhausted soil at all. It will hardly flower and will develop yellow leaves prematurely.

Calla, which is planted in the garden, you can put in the same place every year in May.

Is pruning of the plant necessary?

Cutting is hardly necessary. Only be cut

  • Blossomed flowers
  • cut flowers
  • Leaves yellowing or browning prematurely
  • The yellow foliage before the plant is overwintered

You should never cut green leaves. They provide the plant with nutrients.

Does the calla need a rest?

After the flowering period, the calla needs a rest period of at least ten weeks. During this time it is neither watered nor fertilized. To properly care for the plant, put it in a bright and cool place during this period.

Dig up calla lilies that you have placed in the flower bed in autumn at the latest and let the flower bulbs dry out completely. Then the tubers come into the winter quarters.

What diseases can occur?

Fungal and viral diseases make the Calla very difficult. The signs of an infestation are leaves that turn brown or yellow prematurely. If action is not taken immediately, the root will begin to rot.

Most of all, diseases appear if you do not take proper care of the calla. Above all, contaminated, old soil or pots and also too little moisture during the flowering phase or too wet during the resting phase cause diseases.

If necessary, you can try to remove the affected parts of the leaves and tubers. But it is usually too late for that. The plant should then be disposed of with household waste.

What pests do you need to watch out for?

Aphids and spider mites are very common in calla lilies. Try washing the leaves and collecting the pests from the bracts.

If the infestation is very severe, the only option is often to use commercially available pesticides. In any case, you should place the plant separately so that the pests cannot spread further.

The best prevention is that you take proper care of the calla lily. A healthy Zantedeschia then survives light pest infestation better.

What if plant gets yellow leaves?

Yellow leaves after flowering are quite normal. Only if the leaves change color before this can a disease or a mistake in care be responsible.

Why is the calla lily not blooming?

If the calla does not flower, it is almost always the fault of incorrect care or a bad location. Calla plants grown from seed take a few years to flower.

Is calla hardy?

Most calla cultivars are not hardy. They must be overwintered frost-free.

How is the calla hibernated properly?

The room calla in the pot is placed in a cool but bright place until January and is not poured or fertilized. From January she will slowly get used to more warmth and humidity.

After the calla onions have been spent, you must remove the soil and allow the tubers to dry out well. They are then stored in a dark and very dry place until spring.

tips and tricks

Calla (Zantedeschia) is now available in numerous varieties and colors. Basically, the original, white varieties are a little more robust than the colored ones. They don't have to be that warm either.

Category:

Vegetable garden