Ive been growing this Black Calla for the past two seasons ... It is very nice for the foliage alone which have nice deep purple outlines on the leaf edges along with burgandy purple leaf petioles.
I have grown the regular white variety of call with no problems .. is there a trick with these different types ? more or less sun ? I know these are winter dormant ... Anything else ?
Chris
Chris, I am pleased to tell you that you have one of the most desirable hybrids ever. Zantedeschia 'Black Star' is a sport of the famous 'Schwarzwalder' aka 'Black forest.'
Anyhow, It looks to me like you are doing pretty well with it, but I have a few questions:
How deeply planted is the tuber?
What kind of soil mix are you using?
and Have you fertilized, if so whith what?
Your plant looks like it is in a more vegetative stage and ever so mildy indicative of needing more light, but not badly. If it's no problem, could you produce a picture , from the other side, close in on the base?
Mine did not bloom their first year when I had them I think mainly because the tubers were not quite big enough, or rather the dominant eyes were not. This is somewhat common of the parent 'Schwarzwalder.' The giant white calla has cultural needs that are entirely different from the rest of them, and I have seen those towering tall in Washington State
K. James
K. James-
Thanks for responding .. you sound like just the person to talk to. This is one of the plants I am wanting to baby the most this year.
The soil mix Im using is miracle grow potting soil with a decent portion of extra perlite mixed in for improved drainage. Last year I grew this in near all day dappled shade and the tubers ended up being small as result .. Im sure. This year it is in 3 to 4 hrs direct mid day sun and from there on in dappled shade. This is about as much as I can give it currently.
since most of the foliage growth has been in the last two weeks or so with our warm spurt.. I havent begun to fertlize, but I do have options for that. Miracle grow both all purpose and super bloom. I could also go the organic route.
Ill include more pics below.
A picture of the base.
top view
By chance earlier in the year I was practicing taking close up shots and found a picture of the tuber for this plant.
The height of it now is a little under 17 inches.. A very pretty plant just for the leaves alone.
chris
Wow, you should get at least three flowers. With a warm spurt, we'll see if/when. It will be soon if it does.
The mix is perfect. Fresh soil this year I take it? Whatever you do, don't add bonemeal. Organic sources of phosphorous increase softrot risk.
Half-strength normal miracle-grow fornightly is good.
Kenton
Thanks for the tips! Ill baby this one
chris
JamesCO
Maybe you can help me too. I received some white calla bulbs from someone in CA 3 years ago and they have never ever bloomed. I keep dragging out the pot in the spring, taking care of them and nothing happens but foliage. I am almost ready to toss them. Except that a small lavendar calla that my Mom bought at the grocery last year is looking like its ready to explode so I must be able to do something right. I am sure I haven't fertilized enough so that may be part of the problem. These are probably giant white callas - and you mentioned they want a different culture. Can you describe it?
Thanks for your help
Andrea
Andrea:
On Zantedeschia aethiopica: (large, heart-shaped unspotted leaves)
Giant whites are in fact bog plants, but do fine under less-than-wet conditions. They are bigger, they have rhizomes (instead of corms) need good sun, and like to be fairly cool for good blooming. (Like Nasturtiums.) WIth pot culture, fertilizing is important to get eyes large enough to bloom. When this happens, they can bloom continuously, unlike other callas. From hearing folk's stories about theirs, I suspect that not all are created equal as far as bloomability, selected cultivars probably bloom better than random seedlings stock.
I am no expert with giant white callas, and better descriptions of its culture are easy to find on the internet.
Kenton
Thanks Kenton
I think I've got a perfect spot for them - hopefully enough sun, but it stays moist and the soil is heavily amended.
