Zantedeschia aethiopica lily are gorgeous , trumpet - alike efflorescence on stately stem that add luxuriously dyed elegance to beds , borders , containers , and water gardens as well .
But these frost - bid herbaceous perennials are hardy only in USDA Hardiness zona 8 to 11 . In Zones 7 and below , they take to be lift for storage over the cold months .
Similar to other stale - sensitive bulbing plants likecaladiumsanddahlias , Zantedeschia aethiopica lily rhizomes are lifted in fall after the first Robert Frost kills back the foliage , stored for winter , and then replant in spring after soil temperatures warm up up .
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And whether they ’re leave in the ground or lifted and stored , winterize these pretty plant is simple and straightforward – some can even survive as houseplant , adding foliage and bloom to your interior decor !
Now , let ’s travail into the process for calla lily wintertime care .
Here ’s what ’s ahead :
What You’ll Learn
Should They Stay or Should They Go?
Calla lilies ( Zantedeschiaspp . ) , also known as arum lilies , are tender perennial from the tropics that are typically maturate as annual , and lift in dusk for storage until they can be replanted in bound .
In Zones 8 to 11 , the colored crossbreed and the evergreenZ. aethiopicacan safely be left in - ground to overwinter – provided they have the right conditions .
But in Zones 7 and lower , the cold - tender rhizomes need to be dug up and stored indoors for protection against the cold .
In-Ground Care
To successfully winter rootstalk in situ , well - drain stain is mandatory . When the bulbous root are left in overly moist or pissed soil , combine with cool temperature , problems such as rootstock rot are likely .
To induce dormancy , stop water industrial plant in mid - dusk after all flowering has end .
As they embark dormancy , the foliage turns yellow , then brown , and go bad back . Once the leave have died , remove them at ground storey .
tally a two- to four - in layer of mulch over the root geographical zone to isolate against insensate temperatures .
All of the colorful hybrids require a full point of dormancy , butZ. aethiopicais a natural evergreen .
It can be force into quiescency by withholding water , or you may keep the foliage attractive all year long – provided the soil stays dampish and they get enough Lord’s Day exposure in damage of hours per day .
To keep its foliage unripened , retain with aregular tearing scheduleand adjust for seasonal rain . Ensure that the territory is well - draining , and never allow plants to sit in puddles of water .
If plant front to be in need of a cull - me - up when the days start to lengthen , apply a half - strength answer of a balanced plant food , such as 10 - 10 - 10 ( NPK ) .
Also , if you typicallyleave your callas in - groundbut find peak production is dwindling , consider lifting and storing plant for winter , then dividing in bounce before replant .
This can help to restore vigour and increase bloom count .
Lift, Clean, Divide, and Cure
For industrial plant that ask to be lift and stored , wait until after the first light frost damages or yellow the foliage , and it is easily pull aside from the base .
habituate clean , uninspired garden shear to sheer any remaining leaves or stems to two or three inches above the soil .
introduce a garden fork four to six inch away from the base and about six inches deep , taking care not to spear the rhizomes .
Rock the fork to relax the base ball , then pry and lift it out in a individual clump .
Shake off any heavy clumps of soil , then usea garden hoseto lightly spray away any stay dirt .
If there are large , overgrown rhizomes , you may expect until bounce planting to divide them , or they can be divided before storage .
To divide , softly pry apart the bulbous clumps . Use a sharp , infertile knife to cut overgrown rhizome into sections , ensuring that each subdivision has a seeable centre .
debris all cut sections with a natural fungicide like garden S to preclude rot and insect damage .
Bonide Sulfur Plant Fungicide
Bonide Sulfur Plant Fungicide isavailable at Arbico Organics .
Cure the rhizomes by set up them in a single bed on a great tray or flat man of composition board , spacing them about two inches apart . cure serve to form a elusive out pelt that protects them in store .
Place the tray in a dry smudge out of direct sunlight , with good air circulation , and within a temperature chain of mountains of 60 to 70 ° F for seven to 10 days .
If outside temperatures are above or below this range , bring them indoors and place them in a coolheaded room with scurvy humidness .
After they ’ve cured but before they go into storage , ticket or stigmatise the rhizomes with the cultivar name and color . This debar shot and likely confusion months afterwards when it ’s sentence to replant !
Find more tips on dividing your works here .
Winter Storage Tips
Store the rhizome in a vented container like a wicker basket or a composition board box with holes punch in the sides . For containers with a promiscuous weave , line the bottom with paper .
bring a two - column inch layer of dry substrate to the bottom such ascoconut coir , peat moss , perlite , Timothy Miles Bindon Rice hulls , sawdust , straw , or vermiculite .
Nestle the calla lily into the storage material , spaced about one in apart . Add more substrate to cover the rootstock and fill in the spaces between them .
Store the container in a frost - spare room with low humidity and hold a temperature between 40 and 50 ° F .
Schedule Wellness Checks
On a monthly basis , check the rhizomes to ensure they ’re staying healthy .
To prevent rot , it ’s important to keep the rhizomes dry in storage . correspond for mold and rot , sheer out any soft or mushy voice with a fresh , sterile knife . Dispose of any that are severely damaged .
Re - dust geld surfaces with fungicide and interchange the substrate in the contiguous area .
It ’s also of import that callas do n’t dry out too much in storage .
If they appear to be dry , shrunken , or wrinkly , utilize a spray bottle to lightly obnubilate the reposition medium to keep them from drying out wholly .
In outflow after all peril of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed to 65 ° F , establish them out into garden beds orcontainers .
Bog and Pond Plants
For semi - aquatic coinage such asZ. aethiopicato survive winter in bogs or ponds , the water supply temperature must remain above 65 ° atomic number 9 .
If water temperatures pass below this point , plants necessitate to be removed from their wet environment and can be give up to go torpid , or they can be brought deep down as houseplants during the dusty months .
To stimulate sleeping , remove containers from their water environs before the first hard frost and stop watering , allowing the stain to dry out .
After the leave have yellow and die back , lift the rhizomes from their containers , then clear , cure , and lay in them as outlined above .
To play plant indoors , elevate container from the water and leave the soil to drain good for a twenty-four hours or two .
When the soil is moist but no longer soaked , bring works indoors and position them in a location with bright , indirect light .
Pond container are n’t usually the prettiest , but they can easily be put in into somewhat larger and more attractive cachepots if want .
Avoid repotting at this clock time , and expect until spring to divide and replant as postulate .
Indoors , arums require ambient temperature of 65 to 70 ° F , and the soil must be keep systematically well - watered and moist .
If needed , put on a pee - soluble , all - purpose fertilizer such as 10 - 10 - 10 ( NPK ) , applying it meagrely with a diluted , half - strength practical software .
Espoma Garden Food
Espoma Garden Food is a suitable rule that’savailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
Long-Lasting Blooms
With colourful flowers , pretty foliage , and long - lasting blooms , calla lilies are a welcome and courtly addition throughout the garden .
In regions with mild wintertime , plant can be leave behind in the priming coat – but remember that the planting expanse must have excellent drainage to survive the nerveless , wet months .
To plagiarise and store rootstock in colder regions , wait until the first rime kills the leafage to ensure the bulbous roots have accumulated plenty of nutrients to last through quiescency .
And check on a regular basis to see to it the rhizomes stay healthy while in computer storage . After soil temperatures have warm up up in spring , set out and enjoy another time of year of elegant and colorful flowers !
And for more ideas on how to use and worry for prettycalla lily , check out these article next :
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Lorna Kring
