Calla Lily planting instructions

📅  When to plant your Calla Lily bulbs:

The ideal time to plant Calla Lily bulbs depends on the climate and growing conditions in your region. In general, they should be planted in the springtime, after the last frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. In most regions, this is around late April to mid-May. 

Calla Lilies in general, are frost-hardy in USDA climate zones 7-.10. This means that if you live in an area with a colder USDA climate zone, you should wait until the frost is gone. If you live in USDA zone 7-10, you can go ahead and plant your Calla Lily bulbs earlier.

📦 Storing your Calla Lily bulbs until planting time:

Until you are ready to plant, keep your bulbs in a cool, dry, and dark place with good air circulation, such as a garage or a basement. It is crucial to avoid exposing the bulbs to direct sunlight, heat, or moisture. Place the bulbs in a paper bag or wrap them in a newspaper.

🌿  Preparing your garden for planting Calla Lily bulbs:

Choose a location in your garden that receives full sun to partial shade. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Calla Lilies also prefer well-draining soil, so it is essential to ensure that your chosen location doesn't collect standing water. Enrich the soil with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to improve its structure and fertility.

🌱 Planting your Calla Lily bulbs:

When it is finally time to plant your Calla Lily bulbs, make sure to follow these steps:

• Dig a hole that is approximately 4 inches (10 cm) deep and place the bulb with the pointy end facing up.
• Space the bulbs about 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart, as Calla Lilies need room to grow.
• Cover the bulbs with soil and gently firm the soil to ensure good contact with the bulbs.
• Water the area thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and encourage root growth.

💧 Watering & care:

After planting, make sure to water the bulbs thoroughly. During the blooming season, you should water them 1-2 times a week, depending on the amount of sun and type of soil. Not sure when and how much to water them? A good thumb rule is to water the plant deeply when the top 2 inches of soil are dry (just feel this with your finger). 

Water your Calla Lilies regularly, aiming for consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. Once the plants are established, you can reduce the watering frequency. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and apply appropriate treatments as needed.

🌸 How to keep your Calla Lilies blooming?

• Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer for optimal growth and blooming.
• Remove the faded flowers to encourage new blooms.
• After blooming time, dig up the bulbs and store them in a cool, dry place until it's time to plant them again in the spring. This is especially important for regions with temperatures that dip below freezing.