Re: [Aroid-l] Re : Zantedeschia

From: "Marek Argent" <abri1973 at wp.pl> on 2011.02.08 at 20:51:05(21898) Dear Ted, I live in zone 6, and though I cultivate my Zantedeschia plants in the garden, I must dig them for winter. I store them until April in a cool basement, where the temperature never falls below 0C (32F). In the garden they grow in full Sun, watered everyday and strongly fertilized. Not all plants bloom every year. The old big spathed cultivars like 'Black Magic', 'Mango' or 'Schwarzwalder' are much easier to grow, they usually produce a few inflorescences per season, and they prolificate with many offsets. The new compact ones are not so easy, they require loose soil, well drained, because the tubers tend to rot (partially from the bottom) when it gets colder for a few days. They need to be watered only on sunny days. Anyway, they are very easy to grow comparing to other tuberous aroids. Good Luck, Marek +More ----- Original Message ----- From: "Theodore Held" To: "Discussion of aroids" Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 7:01 PM Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Re : Zantedeschia Michael and Marek, Thanks for the information, gentlemen. From Michael's remarks I am inferring that these plants are not especially hardy, lasting only two seasons when grown in cold climates outdoors and overwintered. Does that sum things up? How about for container-grown plants? Will these last longer, provided they get good light and (apparently) lots of water? There do seem to be a number of species/cultivars. I have never grown them myself, but I'm a sucker for amateurs with plants in trouble. I'd like to see our experts cobble together some remarks and get it posted on our site. We need to fill in this blank. Best regards to everyone. Ted Held Detroit. On Sun, Feb 6, 2011 at 3:15 AM, michael kolaczewski wrote: > 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 ® > 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 > _______________________________________________ > Aroid-L mailing list > Aroid-L@www.gizmoworks.com > http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l > > _______________________________________________ Aroid-L mailing list Aroid-L@www.gizmoworks.com http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l ----- No virus found in the message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3429 - Release Date: 02/07/11 _______________________________________________ Aroid-L mailing list Aroid-L@www.gizmoworks.com http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l

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