International Aroid Society

Greetings Mr. Held

( and other Forum Members)

I grow Calla Lilies, Zantedeschia, generally

outdoors here in the Chicago land area

during the Spring and Summer Months. Typically in the

ground, but also in containers. Commercial growers usually

pretreat the bulbs with various types of Gibberellic acid, followed

with a drench of fungicide / bactericide.

Cultural procedures that yield bulbs for sale, can also impact

size, number of eyes, and overall health of the bulbs you purchase.

General growing cultutre : These plants like morning sun, where

afternoon sun will bring heat, high shade will be appreciated.

Callas like moisture, a soil that has compost, organic content, and

a feeding about every 3 to 4 weeks of even balanced fertilzer, through

out the growing season. Plant the bulbs about 5 to 6 inches deep, and

about a foot and a half to two feet apart. I typically put about 2 inches

of a mulch, Pine or Hardwood Or both over the planted area. Dead head

spent flowers to encourage new buds. As far as Insect pests go, you may

see Aphids, or sometimes mites, but rarely. These pests

can be dealt with, when detected early on, in an infestation.

In containers, I use a Bark, Rice Hull, Compost mix. I also add Terrasorb=AE

and Some graded size of "Aquarium gravel", which helps to drain the mix,

and keeps it from being it overly wet.

There are many color choices these days to choose from, and in the fall I

lift the bulbs, and store them over the winter, in my basement. I can usually

get a second season out of them, after that, at least here in Chicago, you

can figure on getting fresh stock for the following season. Many are raised

from seeds, which gives the end user / grower, vigorous stock, which should

produce abundant flowering, and large leaf display.

These make an excellent addition to any garden.

Take Care,

Michael Kolaczewski