Such a beautiful royal flower, like calla, which is native to South Africa, perfectly takes root as a houseplant and perfectly decorates the premises. In some regions, calla lilies inhabit river banks and marshlands, but this beautiful flower can also live at home.
Flowers such as spathiphyllium and anthurium look like calla lilies, but calla lilies are distinguished by the following features: their leaves are located at the root, the petiole has no leaves, and the calla flower resembles a funnel and is located on a long petiole. The length of the flower can reach about 10 centimeters, and the length of the leaves varies from 5 to 15 cm, and the width - from 5 to 12 cm. Also, there may be silvery blotches on the leaves.
Calla is an unusual plant, so caring for calla at home will be very extraordinary.
Watering and lighting for calla lilies
The most important condition for the ordinary life of this flower is proper watering. Callas love regular watering and very moist soil. Keep in mind that calla lilies will not grow on dry soil.
In hot summertime, watering should be constant and very abundant.
Under natural conditions, the ideal place for calla lilies is the bank of a river or pond, it is there that this flower will feel good on moist soil. Similar conditions must be created in the room. Calla loves sunlight very much, so the place where the flower is located should be well lit both in summer and winter.
Temperature for calla lilies
Calla is considered a rather thermophilic plant, and it is impossible to grow this flower in a cold room. The optimum temperature for keeping calla lilies is a temperature of 18 degrees.
This flower feels best at a temperature of 22-23 degrees. In winter, the temperature in the room where the calla is located may be slightly lower.
At the same time, calla lilies do not like drafts, so do not put pots with this plant near an open window or window.
Your flower will love it if you wipe the leaves and also spray it. Plant the calla lilies in a pot with a tray in which water will accumulate, which will provide the flower with additional moisture in the air.
Reproduction and transplantation of calla lilies
Callas reproduce by division, offspring and seeds.
One of the most popular methods is propagation with tubers, which must be separated from the mother's root.
Calla lilies may have several "babies" that need to be separated and placed 3-4 centimeters into the soil. After the first leaf appears on the calla, the plants can be transplanted. With the appearance of the second leaf, you can start feeding the flower with fertilizers containing nitrogen and potassium.
Never use sharp objects to separate the tubers, as you can injure the plant. Sprinkle the cut points with charcoal.
Calla lilies should not be watered for several days after planting. The best time to plant calla lilies is April.
Only experienced professional gardeners can cope with growing calla lilies from seeds, since the seeds of this plant have poor germination.
Calla lilies diseases and pests
Bacteria, fungi, and root rot can cause particular harm to the plant. The plant just withers before our eyes. Such a disease can arise from too wet soil. Treat the plant with fungicides and stop watering for a while.
Gray mold affects all parts of the flower, which can acquire a gray coating. This could be due to water, wind, or soil. Treat the plant with drugs such as vitaros, rovral, and other fungicides.
The reasons why calla does not bloom can be constant transplants, plant rearrangements, lack of light, lack of feeding, improper care during the growing season, as well as the presence of many tubers that interfere with the flowering of the mother plant.
Types of home calla lilies
1. Ethiopian calla, which is one of the most common species, has funnel-shaped snow-white flowers with beautiful fleshy leaves. The stem can be up to a meter in length. Typically, these flowers are used to decorate anniversaries, weddings and other celebrations.
2. Calla Remann is distinguished by its small size and bright pink or red buds.
3. Calla Elliott has yellow-green flowers, propagates in tubers and prefers regular watering and sunlight. If this plant lives in good conditions, it will bloom profusely.
