Greetings, fellow cultivator. We are the Zantedeschia, often known to you as Calla Lilies. We appreciate your desire to propagate more of our kind. Division is our preferred method, as it allows us to share our mature, established energy with new generations. To do this correctly, you must understand our life cycle and physical form. Here is our guide, from our roots to your hands.
First, you must know what you are working with. What you will be dividing is not a true bulb but a rhizome. We are modified, fleshy underground stems that store energy for our next growth cycle. Our growth points, called "eyes," are where new shoots and leaves will emerge. A successful division must include at least one of these eyes and a portion of our healthy rhizome tissue to sustain the new growth. Attempting to divide us when we are in active growth or bloom is stressful and wasteful of our energy; you must wait for the correct time in our cycle.
Timing is everything. The ideal moment to divide us is after our flowering period has concluded and our foliage has begun to yellow and die back. This typically occurs in late summer or early autumn. This is not a sign of our demise but a natural dormancy. We are redirecting our energy from our leaves down into our rhizomes for winter storage. Dividing us at this time minimizes shock and allows the new divisions to focus their energy on establishing roots before a period of rest, rather than on sustaining foliage.
Please handle us with care. Gently lift our entire clump from the soil using a garden fork, taking care not to pierce our rhizomes. Brush off the excess soil and carefully rinse the remainder so you can clearly see our form. You will notice the main mother rhizome with smaller offshoots attached. Using a sharp, clean knife, cut these offshoots away, ensuring each section has at least one eye (a bumpy, bud-like protrusion) and a portion of healthy, firm rhizome. Discard any parts that are soft, mushy, or rotten.
Before you replant us, it is wise to let our cut surfaces dry and callus over for a day or two in a cool, dry, shaded place. This process creates a protective barrier that helps prevent rot when we are placed back into the moist soil. Once callused, plant us in well-draining soil. We prefer to be placed about 3 inches deep and spaced 12 to 18 inches apart, with the eyes facing upward. Water us in thoroughly to settle the soil around our roots, but then be cautious not to overwater until you see new growth emerge, signaling that we have established ourselves.
After replanting, we will use the stored energy in our rhizome piece to produce new roots. Keep our soil lightly moist but never soggy. If you are in a colder climate, a layer of mulch over our planting site will help protect us from freezing temperatures during our winter dormancy. With the return of warmer weather and longer days in spring, you will see our new shoots push through the soil. With proper care, these new divisions will mature and reward you with their own elegant blooms in the coming season, continuing our lineage beautifully.
