Hardy varieties of Calla tend to be white and will survive outdoors in many climates during the winter. The more delicate varieties are usually colored and do not tolerate winter as well. For this reason, many gardeners protect Calla bulbs in the winter months. You can do this by protecting them indoors, or by trying to keep them protected outdoors. It is also helpful to know how to replant Calla lilies when winter has passed.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare Calla Lilies for Winter in the Closed
Step 1. Try removing your Calla bulbs from the ground so they can spend the winter indoors
If you live in a particularly cold climate but have calla lilies in your garden, try removing the calla rhizomes, or bulbs, during the winter to give them a better chance of survival. To do this:
Wait until after the first frost. Cut the withered foliage 7 to 8 centimeters above ground level
Step 2. Dig out the bulb
Carefully dig out your Calla rhizome. Make sure you dig a much larger hole than you think is necessary. This will help you avoid damaging the bulb with the spade.
Step 3. Remove the earth from the bulb
Gently remove as much soil as possible from healthy bulbs without damaging the roots. Rinse the bulbs under cold running water (such as water from a garden hose) to remove the rest of the earth.
Step 4. Check your rhizomes carefully for signs of rot or disease
It is not worth keeping sick or damaged rhizomes. Throw them away in the trash can.
Avoid composting diseased plants as this can spread the infection to other plants
Step 5. Place the rhizomes on a tray and let them dry for a couple of days
They must be well spaced to allow air to circulate between them. A cool, dark place such as a garden shed or garage is suitable. It would be best to avoid taking them into a heated home, as the heat can be a shock and cause mold to grow on your bulbs.
15 - 21 ° C is the ideal temperature for storing rhizomes. Try not to leave them exposed to the sun
Step 6. Put your rhizomes in paper bags
After drying them for a few days, place the rhizomes in paper bags with a small amount of dry peat moss or vermiculite. Putting moss or vermiculite in the bag will help prevent one bulb from infecting others if mold develops.
You can also use a cardboard box if you make some ventilation holes to circulate the air. Keep the bulbs from touching and put moss or vermiculite between them
Step 7. Try to keep your rhizomes dry
Moisture and mold are the greatest threats to the wintering of rhizomes, so try to keep them dry as much as possible and store them in a dark, dry place. However, they shouldn't dry out completely. If the bulbs appear dry or withered, a light mist with a water sprayer should prevent them from drying out too much.
Step 8. Give the rhizomes time to recover before replanting them
Calla lilies need to rest for a couple of months before growing again. Try to plant them in mid- or late spring once the threat of frost has passed and the soil is warmer.
Calle are more at risk of rot due to winter rain rather than frost, so avoid planting if the soil is soaked with water, even if the weather is mild
Step 9. Consider keeping your Calla in a vase
You can plant a Calla lily outside in a container and move it indoors for the winter. When planting, use decent quality compost, and make sure the container has holes for good drainage. Plant the rhizomes with the eyes facing up so that they are barely visible in the soil.
Once flowering finishes, feed the pot with a potassium-rich fertilizer (one suitable for tomatoes will do). After that, stop watering container grown Calla lilies and move the container to a cool dark area once the foliage fades. A dark corner of a garden shed is suitable. Do not water for three months and avoid cutting the foliage until it is wilted
Method 2 of 3: Overwintering Calla Lilies Outside
Step 1. Consider keeping the Calle outdoors if you live in a mild climate
Calla lilies will survive outdoors during the winter in mild climates where snowfalls are not heavy, there are no severe frosts, and prolonged rains in the colder months. They can typically get by outdoors during the winter in zones 8 to 10.
This means that they can survive temperatures that do not drop below -1 ° C
Step 2. Help your plant go into dormancy
After flowering is over, avoid watering and allow the plant to go into dormancy. Try not to cut the foliage until it is wilted.
Step 3. Give your Calle some protection
If you're wintering them outdoors, mulch about four inches of evergreen branches or straw. You can also place them under an overturned vase or under a protective hood.
Do this in the fall before the earth cools down
Method 3 of 3: Replant the Calle after Winter
Step 1. Do not plant Calla lilies until you are sure there will be no more frost
Wait until the threat of frost has passed and the soil has had a chance to warm up a bit before planting the rhizomes outdoors again.
During the middle of spring it is usually a good time to move them out again
Step 2. Choose a well-drained spot in a sunny location
Keep in mind that if you can't find a super sunny spot, the Calle tolerate shade for part of the day. It is a good idea to incorporate mature manure or compost into the soil to improve it before planting. Rich soil will help the plant produce flowers.
Step 3. Plant your rhizome correctly
The rhizome should be planted with the 'eyes' facing up and barely visible at the top of the soil. These are the growth points that look like 'eyes' on a potato.
Leave about 30 centimeters of space between your rhizomes. Once they are in the soil, give them a good soak and then continue to keep the soil moist but not soggy as they develop
Step 4. Water your Calla lilies
Calla lilies require water all summer. If you dig them to overwinter them indoors, they will need additional water to help them settle in the ground. Remember to feed them every two weeks during the growing period - a water-soluble fertilizer added to the watering can is ideal - but don't feed calla plants planted in the ground once flowering begins.
Continue feeding container-grown calla lilies throughout the flowering period
Step 5. Watch out for parasites
Calle is generally without problems but can be attacked by parasites such as aphids or whiteflies. Keep an eye out for pests and spray, following the instructions, a multipurpose bug spray.
Advice
- More delicate varieties of Calla may thrive best as outdoor seasonal plants, relocating them indoors for the winter, or as houseplants.
- If you want the flowers to bloom, especially early, try container planting in December. Keep the plant indoors at a cool room temperature in a bright spot such as on a windowsill. This should ensure flowering in the following spring.
