Are you looking to add a touch of beauty and elegance to your garden? Calla lilies are the perfect way to do this! Not only are they beautiful, they are also relatively easy to care for.
Here, we will discuss how to get calla lilies to bloom with four simple steps.
We will cover what calla lilies are, the soil, water, and light requirements for them, the best time to plant, signs of bloom, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise.
So, if you’re looking to add a stunning flower to your garden, read on!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Calla lilies can be encouraged to bloom by providing them with plenty of sunlight and warmth.
They should be planted in a well-draining soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry.
Fertilize the plants every two weeks with a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus to encourage blooming.
Deadheading the flowers can also help to promote more blooms.
What are Calla Lilies?
Calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) are a beautiful flowering plant native to South Africa.
They are part of the Araceae family and are related to the peace lily and other flowering aroids.
The plant produces large, white flowers with a prominent yellow-orange center.
Calla lilies are popular in gardens and can be grown in both indoor and outdoor settings.
They are fairly low-maintenance and are resistant to most pests and diseases.
When grown in the right conditions, calla lilies can survive for many years.
These flowers are also popular as cut flowers, as they can last up to two weeks in a vase.
Soil Requirements
Calla lilies are beautiful and unique flowers that can add a stunning visual impact to any garden.
However, getting them to bloom can be a challenge.
To ensure your calla lilies will bloom, it is important to understand their soil requirements.
The soil for calla lilies should be well-draining and rich in organic matter.
If the soil is too heavy or dense, the roots may not be able to access the nutrients they need to grow and bloom.
A soil with a high percentage of organic matter will help the lilies absorb the nutrients they need, as well as provide good drainage.
Adding compost or other organic matter to the soil is a great way to provide these benefits.
It is also important to make sure the soil is not too acidic.
Calla lilies prefer soil pH levels between 6.5 and 7.5.
If the soil is too acidic, the lilies may struggle to take up the nutrients they need.
Adding lime to the soil can help balance the pH and ensure the lilies have the nutrients they need.
Finally, it is important to make sure the soil is not too wet.
Overwatering can cause the roots to rot and lead to stunted growth and a lack of blooms.
The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged.
If the soil is too wet, it is important to adjust your watering habits and make sure the soil is draining properly.
By following these tips, you can ensure your calla lilies have the soil they need to grow and bloom.
With the proper care and attention, the lilies should begin to bloom in the late spring or early summer.
Water Requirements
Watering your calla lilies is an important part of ensuring they bloom.
While many plants thrive on regular watering, calla lilies prefer to be watered deeply and infrequently.
This means that when you water your lilies, you should water them thoroughly enough to reach the roots.
Doing this will help ensure your calla lilies receive enough moisture to sustain them during the hot summer months.
Additionally, its important to avoid overwatering your lilies, as this can lead to root rot and other problems.
To prevent overwatering, make sure the soil in your garden drains properly and that youre not watering your lilies too often.
If youre unsure whether youre watering your lilies enough, feel the soil around the base of the plant.
If its dry, you can add a bit more water.
With the proper water requirements, your calla lilies should begin to bloom in the late spring or early summer.
Light Requirements
When it comes to getting your calla lilies to bloom, light is key.
Calla lilies prefer to grow in full sun or partial shade, so if youre planting them in your garden, make sure they get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
If you cant provide your calla lilies with the light they need outdoors, you can also grow them indoors in a bright spot.
An east-facing window is ideal, as it will provide your calla lilies with indirect sunlight throughout the day.
And if you dont have access to natural light, you can also use artificial lighting.
Fluorescent lighting is best, as it provides the full spectrum of light that your calla lilies need.
Make sure your calla lilies are placed at least 8 inches away from the light source to avoid burning their delicate leaves.
With the right amount of light, your calla lilies should begin to bloom in the late spring or early summer.
Best Time to Plant
When it comes to planting calla lilies, timing is everything.
Planting them too early in the season can cause them to rot in cold, wet soil, while planting them too late can mean that they dont get enough time to establish strong root systems before winter sets in.
The best time to plant calla lilies is in the late spring or early summer, when the soil has had time to warm up and there is plenty of sunlight for the plants to grow.
If you live in an area with a mild climate and relatively warm winters, you can plant calla lilies as early as March or April.
If you live in a colder climate, its best to wait until May or June to ensure that the ground is warm enough for the lilies to thrive.
Signs of Bloom
Once you have provided your calla lilies with the proper care and attention, you will begin to see signs of bloom.
The first sign is the emergence of the flowers spathe, which is a modified leaf that resembles a hood.
This hood will be bright green and will gradually turn a deep purple or maroon color depending on the variety of calla lily.
After the spathe emerges, the spadix, which is a long, thin stem, will appear.
This spadix is covered with tiny flowers and the length of the spadix will depend on the variety of calla lily.
Once both the spathe and the spadix have emerged, the calla lily is considered in full bloom.
You will start to see the bright blooms in all their glory and will be able to enjoy their beauty for a few weeks.
After the bloom is done, you may see the emergence of a seed pod.
This pod should be left on the plant as it will provide important nutrients for the future growth of your calla lily.
Once the bloom is done and the seed pod has emerged, it is important to continue providing your calla lilies with the proper care and attention.
This will ensure that your lilies will continue to bloom in the future.
With the right knowledge and care, you can enjoy the beauty of calla lilies in your garden every year.
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting is an important part of ensuring your calla lilies will bloom. If you find that your lilies are not blooming, it is likely due to one of the following issues:
1. Poor soil conditions: Calla lilies prefer soil that is well-draining and rich in organic matter. If the soil does not provide these conditions, your lilies may not bloom. Check the soils drainage by performing a percolation test. If the soil is too wet, add some sand or gravel to promote better drainage.
2. Too much or too little water: Calla lilies need a lot of water, but too much water can be detrimental. Avoid overwatering your lilies by using a moisture meter to check the soils moisture level before watering. If the soil is already moist, you dont need to water.
3. Too much or too little sun: Calla lilies need plenty of sun to bloom properly. If the lilies are not receiving enough sun, they may not bloom. Make sure the lilies are getting at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. If they are in a shady spot, you may need to move them to a sunnier spot.
4. Too much fertilizer: Too much fertilizer can prevent calla lilies from blooming. Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer, and make sure to follow the instructions on the package.
If you find that your calla lilies are not blooming despite taking the proper steps, it may help to prune away any dead or dying leaves.
This will help the lilies focus their energy on producing flowers.
With the proper care and attention, your calla lilies should begin to bloom in the late spring or early summer.
With a bit of troubleshooting, you can ensure your calla lilies will be at their best.
Final Thoughts
With the proper soil, water, and light requirements, calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) can be a beautiful addition to your garden.
Plant them in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter, water deeply and regularly, and make sure they get enough sun.
If you follow these guidelines, your calla lilies should begin to bloom in the late spring or early summer.
Now you have all the information you need to get your calla lilies to bloom – so go ahead and get started!