Growing Calla Lilies indoors?

Has anyone successfully grown Calla Lilies indoors?

I've only tried it once (springtime, east window) and they grew quite leggy and the flowers flopped over.

Interested in others experiences.

Not me lakesidecallas. Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm also interested in knowing others experiences. I grow alot of tender bulbs and I get asked this question about both callas and cannas.

I did grow them inside once. I sold them at a farmers market for mothers day in bud or in bloom.
I used an east window and a south window.

Another year I used a W window with 'giant white' calla and kept it in all year ( did not bloom) as it was the size of a thimble when I got it. I later put it out for the summer where it bloomed while I was on vacation! I had trouble with spider mites. This year it is in the basement with green leaves reaching for the tiny window down there.

Most of them are dormant in the basement. I did pot up a few for mother's day again. Just for my own enjoyment!

As far as leggy- I don't recall that being a problem. For me the problem is I want them out for the summer and the housegrown leaves can't take the wind outside. They go flat to the ground and have to start over. - Which doesn't put them ahead of the growing season- and they look terrible.

Here's 'giant white' or 'white giant' that was a houseplant all winter and then put out around the time of the pic. You can see I lost one of 4 leaves even in this sheltered spot- but even after 7 months inside I wouldn't call it leggy
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y256/cheerpeople/sequence%20of%20blooms%20June%2008/june10037.jpg

Thanks for the info, cheerpeople. I always brought my Aethiopicas (white) in for the winter, too. They seem to do better inside than the hybrids did for me, although, like you, I had trouble with spider mites. They'd start on the EE and brugs and crawl on over.
Here's a photo of my plant room, looks a little crowded- no wonder things got a little stretchy, lol.

HELP!!!


I started mine today....but... I'm not sure which side goes up! They look like flat potatoes. I guessed and went for the side that looks like it has some little eye circles as the up side.

Ginger

yep- the 'eyes' to the sky.
Karen

WHEW!!! Good to know. I have more.. I think I'll go plant them now.. any pointers?

Ginger

Ginger, don't worry if you plant some the wrong way. They will still come up!

I started them in some 4" pots indoors so we'll see what happens. Don't have the heart to put them outside as it is due to snow for the next 4 days.

Ginger

Don't water them too much until the leaf breaks the surface.

OK.. good to know! Thanks, Ginger

Uhmm.. I didn't plant deep.... I just barely covered the tops like I did the Dahlias. Is that going to be ok?

Ginger

They are very shallow rooted.
Here I put them 3-4" inches under.

Karen

OK. .. I just did it so I'll go plant deeper...
Thanks,

Ginger

I got mine recently, and plan to plant them in pots, to put on the porch during the day and bring into shelter for the night until Spring really starts. Then I want to plant most out , but give some as outdoor planter gifts.

I have a couple of questions for anyone who could give me some tips. First, what planting medium should I use? Is ordinary potting soil okay, or should I get ingredients for potting them in a more appropriate medium? Also, what are some good companion plants, perennials or annuals, for callas in a 14-16 inch planter pot?

Any help greatly appreciated.