how to get calla lilies to bloom?

I know its to late this year.For several years I plant them and they grow.But they won't bloom.I tried different locations,fertilizers and watering practices.In the fall I dig them up to store them.Its a lot of work for not getting any flowers.Any advice?Edge

Do you know if they're Z.aethiopica (large white calla and hybrids like 'Green Goddess') or Z.rehmanii hybrids (the smaller, often colorful callas, frequently with spotted leaves)? How long have you had them? I've had trouble getting blooms from the Z.aethiopica types too. They like lots of water and heavy feedings, but tolerate shade happily. The blooms I've gotten from them were from plants growing in pots with water kept in the tray at all times. With the Z.rehmanii hybrids, the bulbs have often been treated with hormones to make them bloom extra heavily that first year, and sometimes they react by being stingy with blooms the next year. That's why I'm wondering how long you've had them, they typically bloom well the first year (from a vendor). I've found most will recover and start blooming again the next year if they get a good year of growth to replenish the tubers. They prefer more sun, and while they do like plenty of moisture and fertilizer during the growing season, they're not suited to the swampy conditions their larger cousins enjoy. I grow some in the ground and some in pots. Those in the ground just get compost and seem happy for the most part. Those in pots get daily watering and soluble fertilizer every couple of weeks or so.

Gemini -- That's good info to know. I've had trouble getting blooms although I had quite a lot of foliage this year. What do you do with your calla bulbs in the winter?

Thanks.

Ditto to gemini_sage. I have the Z.rehmanni hybrids in year 7 now. The first year spectacular; the 2nd year no blooms but they have been consistent performers ever since. I grow them in containers in full sun with lots of manure and compost in the mix and fertilize frequently. I store them in the containers in my cold room (about 40F). In spring I lift, divide, refresh the soil and replant.

I have always planted directly in the ground.Maybe growing them in containers is a better idea.It would be a more controlled enviroment.I will try that this spring.Thank-you.Edge

If you grow them in pots (the only way I grow them) you will not only get blooms but they will multiply. I started with three pots and have 10. They are really easy. At the end of the growing season (or before a frost) I just put the pots in the house and completely withhold water. The next spring the light from outside activates them, and they will start growing without any help. To slow them down I cover the pots. When you want them to grow, add water, a bit of fertilizer (I also add fresh compost) and watch them take off!

Donna

I treat my potted Callas the same as Donna for winter storage, just dry in the pots in the basement. I have several in the ground that have been winter hardy for me for the last 5 years or so. They typically are covered with a lot of leaves from late fall till spring. I even find self sown seedlings, they must be hardier than most sources say.

Neal,

Isn't it great to have a spectacular plant that does not need cosseting, doesn't take up much space in the winter, and looks so great?

Donna

Raising hand and waving franticly: AYE! In my zone this is the easiest for care tender that I have. I recommend callas to new gardeners here as the first tender that they should try. Okie Dokie methinks I just might be in danger of a punt out of Dahliaholics Anonymouse for that! (Note: No typo. We voted for Anonymouse or Anonymous) I'm hoping that you bulbous friends will vouch for me that it was a 'sacrifice for the good of others' cuz our constitution allows for these sacrifices ^_^

So true, I love my Dahlias too, but I've never lost a Calla during winter storage- sure wish I could say the same for Dahlias!

I'm glad I found this post. First because of the 'hormone' statement, second because of the 'needs lots of water'.
Now I know why my 2nd year bulbs did not bloom this summer - hormones,
and also I'm always afraid of over watering my bulbs in pots and so I am kind of skimpy with watering.

I had wondered if I had added too much compost to the pots ...maybe too much nitrogen so they only produced leaves - no blooms. Now I know I have to wait till next year.

Ok, next year ...
Dappled shade
Lots of water
Fertilize every week.

Did I get that right?????

A first year bloom picture from 2007.

Sounds good. If our pots have good drainage it is almost impossible to overwater them. Callas grow in standing water! Mine do not have the lovely varigated foliage of yours, so they are in full sun but I water them every other day.

Here's to next year!

Donna

This message was edited Nov 10, 2009 9:54 AM

I just planted my first callas, Zaethiopicas in the ground in the middle of last month. Now, there is about 5" of foliage above ground. Will this be a problem? Should I lift and refrigerate the bulbs for another month or 6 weeks?

I understand in warm climate areas, they go dormant in summer and start growing in fall. Seems I've had some start growing right before killing frost, but they still overwintered fine in the ground. Another DGr in your area (Tammy, in Barto, PA-zone 6) has grown Z.aethiopica in the ground for several years without lifting, so I think you could just mulch them well.

Thanks, Neil. I know they are hardy here, but I didn't want to lose next spring's bloom.

These were another thing that I thought could take a lot of shade but I have the Z. rahmeini, so you suggest I move them to more sun?

Seems if they receive at least 4 hours of sun, they should be happy. I have some I grow in pots on the deck that are receiving less sun because the tree above is getting bigger, and I noted fewer blooms this year.

Neal is correct - I've grown my calla's in the ground for about 4 yrs now.
In always wet ground in a fairly shadey area. Lots of bloom & glorious
folliage now in a big clump. Here's a shot from 6/1/06

I also have a yellow calla that busts out of the pots in my greenhouse.
I fertilize with dilute solution often in the greenhouse.

Wow, They are really beautiful, Tammy.

Here's what my new ones looked like this morning. There are 5 bunches of 5, and someone has been NIBBLING at them!!!

Tammy, those really are lovely. I've never tried growing them in the ground in a protected spot.

And Stormy! Ack! What the heck eats callas? Or were they testing them for flavor?

Shovel!

Tammy, that clump is gorgeous! Were your ears burning? LOL

Donna, You are too funny!

I got five bulbs from a Van Engelen end of season sale
quite a few years ago - that is where I got those Calla.
I grew them in my greenhouse and was simply getting
tired of them - they were taking up an enormous amount
of space. So I planted one (gigantic) clump and gave
the rest away. So the one you see in my picture started
as a gigantic clump.

Neal - I'm just amazed at your memory!

Tam

If only I could remember appointments as well as anything about a plant, LOL!

LOL, We all have selective memory process. The bulbs that I recently planted were hugh and healthy. I purchased them from Willow Creek Gardens.