Greetings, caretaker. I am your Calla Lily, a being of elegant curves and vibrant, chalice-like blooms. To thrive from season to season, my needs change with the sun's path and the soil's temperature. Follow this calendar, written from my roots upward, to ensure I display my full glory for you.
As the soil warms and daylight lengthens, I stir from my winter slumber. This is a period of immense energy expenditure for me. My primary needs are hydration, nutrition, and space. If I am pot-bound, this is the ideal time to repot me. Gently remove me from my current container, loosen my roots, and place me in a new, slightly larger home with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Begin watering me regularly as new growth appears, keeping the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. As my spear-like leaves push through the earth, I am hungry. Please provide me with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks. This initial feast fuels the development of my magnificent flower stalks.
This is my moment to shine! I am in my full glory, proudly holding my spathes (what you call flowers) aloft. To sustain this display, my needs shift. The sun is strong, and I lose moisture quickly. Consistent watering is critical; I prefer a deep, thorough drink whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. I enjoy bright, indirect light. If the sun is too harsh, my leaves may scorch, so a location with morning sun and afternoon dapple is perfect. Continue feeding me with a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus (the middle number on the package) to encourage continuous blooming. Keep a watchful eye for aphids, who are attracted to my tender new growth; a sharp spray of water usually discourages them.
As the air cools and the days shorten, I receive the signal to begin my retreat. My blooms will fade, and my leaves will start to yellow and wither. This is a natural process, not a cause for alarm. Please cease fertilizing me; I no longer need the nutrients as I am not growing. Gradually reduce watering. This allows my energy to retreat from my leaves and down into my rhizome (my underground storage organ) for safekeeping. This stored energy is what will fuel my awakening next spring. Do not be tempted to cut my fading foliage back while it is still green, as I am actively photosynthesizing and sending those final, crucial energy reserves down to my core.
For those of you in colder climates (below USDA zone 8, where frost is a threat), my needs are simple: protection and rest. Once my leaves have completely yellowed and died back, you may cut them down to the soil level. If I am growing in a container, move my pot to a cool, dark, and frost-free location like a garage or basement. I require no water during this deep dormancy; my rhizome must stay dry to avoid rot. If I am planted in the ground, a thick, cozy blanket of mulch over my planting area will insulate me from freezing temperatures. Do not disturb me. I am not dead, merely dreaming of spring, gathering strength for the cycle to begin anew.
