Potting Time for Calla Lily
As a star plant of the Araceae family, the Calla Lily has won the hearts of many gardening enthusiasts with its elegant flower posture. However, many beginners often experience poor plant growth due to choosing the wrong cultivation time or inappropriate soil mixing. Today, we will analyze potting skills from planting timing to substrate formulas.
I. Analysis of the Best Cultivation Period for Calla Lily
1. Temperature-Sensitive Growth Characteristics
As a perennial herbaceous plant native to tropical regions, the Calla Lily is extremely sensitive to temperature. Its underground corms have the strongest germination vitality at 15-25°C. When the temperature is below 10°C or above 32°C, the bulbs may enter dormancy or even rot.
2. Detailed Explanation of Spring and Autumn Planting
In the northern regions, it is recommended to plant in spring from late March to mid-May when the soil temperature is stable at above 18°C. In the southern regions, planting can be done from late September to late October in autumn, avoiding the plum rain and high-temperature periods. Both planting times need to ensure a growing period of three months.
II. Professional-Level Cultivation Substrate Formula
1. The Golden Proportion of Breathability
A composite substrate using 40% decomposed pine needle soil + 30% peat soil + 20% perlite + 10% vermiculite, with a porosity of over 35%. Adding 500g of bone meal per cubic meter can enhance structural stability.
2. Precise pH Control
Control the substrate pH between 5.8-6.5 using pH test paper. If the pH value is too high, mix in sulfur powder (0.5g per liter of soil) to adjust; if too low, add wood ash to neutralize.
3. Long-Term Management of Fertility
Base fertilizer is recommended to use decomposed sheep manure (15% of the total substrate) combined with Ogreen 318S slow-release fertilizer (3g per liter of soil). During the growing period, apply potassium dihydrogen phosphate 800 times liquid every 20 days.
III. Key Points of Supporting Maintenance
Choose a green mountain pot with a diameter of 25-30cm, and lay a 3cm thick layer of ceramsite at the bottom for drainage. Keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged in daily maintenance, and shade 50% in summer. Through scientific cultivation and management, the blooming period can be extended to 120 days.
Mastering the golden combination of planting timing and substrate formula, along with temperature and humidity control, even gardening beginners can cultivate high-quality Calla Lilies with a flower diameter of up to 15cm. It is recommended to replace the new substrate every two years and regularly supplement trace elements to keep the plant continuously vigorous.