Calla is a genus of perennial plants belonging to the aroid family and originating from marshes of South Africa. Zantedeschia, richardia, callas are other names for these magnificent plants.
Callas are divided into rhizome and tuberous. Their principal difference is that the former do not drop leaves in the resting period. The aerial parts of both varieties are similar. They have dense glassy leaves on long grooved petioles. There is practically no stalk. Peduncles rise above the leaves. They carry one spike-like inflorescence of small
yellow flowers and a funnel-shaped bract-like leaf-cover. It’s the bract that some people mistake for the flower. In rhizome calla lilies, it is white, and in tuberous callas it is colored (yellow, pink, raspberry, lilac and even black).
Often, when a blooming calla is brought home and not knowing which species it belongs to, people are guided by the general principles of care. Given the origin of the plant, it is excessively watered. Tuberous calla lilies at home in response to this begin to shed leaves. And people think that the plant is dead, and throw it away with an earthen lump.
With rhizome calla, another nuisance occurs. The plant, getting from the greenhouse into the apartment with warm, dry air, believes that the African summer has come (its dormant period) and is preparing for it. It ceases to bloom, loses part
leaves, no. People rush to save their acquisition - they begin to intensively water and spray. The bewildered plant as a result does not rest and does not grow.
Because of the described misunderstanding, many people got the impression that callas at home are difficult to grow, that they are capricious and rarely bloom. This is not true. It is only important to give the plants a rest period, understanding the cycle of their development.
Rhizome callas at home in the summer, it is desirable to have a slight shade. In the fall they should be returned to the windowsill. Watering and feeding during the growing season requires regular. Calla flowers at home appear around the beginning of November, flowering can continue until April-May.
After this, the plant must be sent to rest, i.e. water rarely, once every ten days and with a limited amount of water. You can’t feed him at this time. At the end of the holiday, it is advisable to remove the flower from the pot, remove old leaves, separate the children with a diameter of 1 cm or more. Then plant the plant without deepening (you can in the same container) in fresh soil. After transplanting, watering for three weeks is increased, translating into vegetation mode.
Tuberous callas at home should be planted in March, by which time they appear on sale. Before boarding, they must be disinfected. In one container with drainage and nutrient mixture, it is advisable to place several tubers at a distance of about 5 cm in order to achieve more effective flowering. You can’t dig deeply, there should be about 4 cm of soil above the tuber. Water the plantings, cover with a transparent film and place in a bright place.
With the appearance of leaf tubes, the film must be removed immediately. If the daylight hours are still short, it is advisable to provide additional illumination in the evening for several hours with fluorescent lamps. Preferable with special fertilizers ("Planet of flowers") every two weeks.
Three months of tuberous calla lilies will bloom at home. The photo perfectly demonstrates them. They will bloom for a long time, up to four months. After flowering, you need to reduce watering, wait for the leaves to dry and remove the tubers from the pot. Put them in a bag with sawdust and put in a dark, cool place for 4-5 months.
Callas at home are able to please the eye and cause admiration for guests while observing the cycles of their development.