From my point of view as a Calla Lily, the process you call "division" is a natural and vital part of my lifecycle. My true self is not the beautiful flower or leaf you see above ground, but the thick, fleshy underground stem called a rhizome. This rhizome is my pantry and my command center; it stores all the energy and water I need to survive dormancy and fuel new growth. Over time, I naturally expand by growing new offshoots, or "pups," from my main rhizome. When my container becomes too crowded with these pups, we all compete for limited resources, leading to fewer and smaller flowers. Division is simply the human-assisted version of my natural desire to spread and thrive.
Timing is critical for our mutual success. The best moment for this procedure is after my flowering cycle has concluded and I have entered my natural dormant period. You will know I am dormant because my beautiful leaves will begin to yellow and die back. This is not a sign of sickness, but a signal that I am redirecting my energy downward, away from foliage and back into my rhizome for storage. Attempting to divide me while I am in active growth or bloom is incredibly stressful, shocks my system, and can deplete my energy reserves, making recovery difficult.
Please handle my roots with care. Gently remove me from my current pot and carefully brush away the soil to expose my rhizome structure. You will see the main, older rhizome sections and the smaller, newer pups attached to them. Each new division must have at least one growth eye or bud—these are the small, pointed bumps from which new shoots will emerge. Using a sharp, clean knife, make clean cuts to separate the pups from the mother rhizome. Clean cuts prevent crushing and minimize the risk of infection. Discard any parts of me that feel soft, mushy, or appear rotten.
My new home is paramount. Choose a pot with excellent drainage holes, as my rhizome despises sitting in waterlogged soil, which will cause me to rot. Use a fresh, well-draining potting mix. Place each of my divisions in their own pot. The planting depth is crucial: position me horizontally with the growth eyes facing upward, and cover me with just about 1-2 inches of soil. Burying me too deeply wastes energy and can lead to rot, while planting me too shallowly leaves me unstable and vulnerable to drying out.
Immediately after repotting, give me a thorough but gentle watering. This settles the new soil around my roots and provides the moisture I need to begin healing. Then, place my new pot in a location with bright, indirect light and consistent warmth. Please resist the urge to water me again until you feel the top inch of soil has dried out. I am now focusing all my energy on establishing new roots in my fresh, uncrowded space. With patience and the right conditions, I will reward your careful work with vigorous new growth and spectacular blooms in the coming season.
