zone 9 & Calalilly growing

Has anyone in zone 9 grown Callas successfully? I have made numerous attempts and failed each time. I don't know what I am doing wrong.Each time I try, I do different things. I am trying yet agian. I have them where they can't get full sun this time. I hope it works. If you have grown them in zone 9, do they come back and multiply each year? Any hints? Thanks

Depends on what callas you are trying to grow, maybe? The standard whites and 'Pink Mist' are both C. aethiopica, very tough and can take water even during dormancy. The one thing they don't like is hot soil, it makes them go dormant.

The colored callas are summer blooming (C. aethiopica is spring blooming), like water during bloom but absolutely must be dry during dormancy or they will rot.

Morning sun and afternoon shade is best. Good luck!

Lisa, I have two of those 'Pink Mist' bulbs that I am going to try, and will let you know if they live. If they don't like hot soil, we may not have great success with these.

You may have picked a good year to try these ... everyone I know around here who has one says they are doing wonderfully well this year.

Mine is a regular white one, and it is out of control huge this year. I've had problems with it in the past, when it was in a pot. I almost lost it last year. Apparently it was too crowded or something ... Anyway, my understanding is it needs cool shady feet and lots of water. I've got mine mulched heavily to keep the feet cool, like 2 - 3 inches of oak leaves. It's next to the privacy fence facing south-east, so it's feet are in shade most of the day. I'd think an eastern or northern exposure would be best. I measured it today and the tallest flower is 43 inches tall.

I also have two of the colored ones that I got last year, they are just waking up. They are in pots, and I'm shocked they survived the winter (the wet, not the cold). It remains to be seen how they will fare their second year - I wasn't impressed the first year. If they do well I might even bring them inside next winter! LOL

Good luck with yours!
Cheri'

Now granted I am not zone 9 but rather 8b (close), my Callas get way out of controll most years. I have them planted in partial shade, and very damp soil (lots of run off ground water)
These babies get so full and tall I have to cut them back 2 and 3 times a year. These are old heirloom whites.
If you'd like a clump let me know and I'd be glad to send you one for SASE or trade.

Lisa, maybe this will help.
I'm in zone 8, growing mine in pots with morning sun and afternoon shade.
http://www.callalilies.net/Potgrowerguidelines.htm

I am in zone 9b and this is the southwest (Tucson Az). I have my callas facing west and they do beautifully. This is their second year and I have had as many as 12 hudge blooms going. I water mine alot, every other day I soak them. The soil I planted them in is very rich. I keep the dead leaves and spent flowers cut. I feed them faithfully every 2 weeks MG. I have good drainage. The plants are about 3' and the flowers about 41". I also have one in a pot in my pond that is doing good. I put that one in the pond about 2 weeks ago and it is getting new leaves.When its hot and they go down I let them completely get brown before I cut them down to about 6". Hope this helps you.