What to Do If the Calla Lily Leaves Become Soft and Sagging
The editor answers your questions on what to do if Calla lily leaves become soft and sagging and discusses related topics on the cultivation of flowering plants, so let's take a look together!
Calla lilies, also known as观音莲 (Guan Yin Lily),慈姑花 (Ci Gu Flower), and 水芋 (Water芋), are perennial herbs of the Araceae family. Their leaves are a嫩绿 (fresh green) and vibrant color, and their flower shape resembles a horse's hoof, usually bright white, light yellow, or pink. They can be potted indoors or placed in a vase with water, offering a certain ornamental value and are a favorite among flower enthusiasts.
For新手 (beginners) with limited gardening experience, growing Calla lilies can be a challenging task. Due to their lack of understanding of the plant's growth habits and correct care methods, the Calla lilies they grow either bloom less frequently with short blooming periods or do not bloom at all, resulting in yellowing leaves, leaving them at a loss. So, how should Calla lilies be cultivated? Below, I will discuss three cultivation methods and three precautions in detail, hoping to be of help to flower enthusiasts.
There are three main methods for cultivating Calla lilies:
I. Choose suitable soil for planting
Actually, Calla lilies are highly adaptable to various soil environments, such as sandy and clay soils, which are suitable for their growth. However, to make them bloom more and more beautifully, it is best to choose a loose, fertile soil with good drainage and aeration, rich in humus, slightly acidic, and with a bit of stickiness when planting Calla lilies.
If you have the conditions, you can mix your own soil using decomposed leaf soil, river sand, perlite, and sawdust in a ratio of 4:1:2:1, and you can add other nutrients like fully decomposed bark and peanut shells to make the soil more comprehensive and nutrient-rich.
II. Meet its lighting needs
Calla lilies are sun-loving flowers with high light requirements. Only by allowing them to fully expose to the sun and enjoy the "sunbath" can they better perform photosynthesis, produce and transform more nutrients for the plant, and have sufficient energy for flowering and reproduction.
However, it is important to note that although Calla lilies love light, they have certain requirements for light intensity and cannot be exposed to strong light for extended periods. If they are exposed to strong sunlight for too long, the plants can easily get sunburned, and the leaves will evaporate a lot of water. After being sunburned, the plant's root absorption capacity will severely decrease, causing the leaves to be unable to absorb enough water to replenish the evaporated amount, leading to dry, yellowed, or even fallen leaves, and the overall growth of the plant will deteriorate, possibly becoming droopy and withered.
To ensure that Calla lilies grow well and bloom beautifully, proper light management is very important. In the温和 (mild) spring, autumn, and winter seasons, you can let them be exposed to the sun all day. In the hot summer, you should provide some shading measures, such as covering them with a shading net to block strong sunlight and avoid sunburn. You can also avoid the high-temperature periods by choosing to expose them to sunlight before 9:30 am and after 4:30 pm, and keep them in a cool and well-ventilated environment during other times. This not only meets their lighting needs but also avoids plant sunburn.
III. Provide a suitable growth temperature
Calla lilies are warm-loving flowers that do not tolerate low temperatures. The most suitable temperature for their growth is between 15°C and 25°C. Once the temperature drops below 15°C, their growth will slow down significantly, and if it drops below 5°C, they will stop growing, and the leaves may become droopy and wilted.
In winter, temperatures in most areas will be relatively low, especially in the north, where temperatures can drop to well below zero. In such cases, you should promptly move the Calla lilies indoors and turn on the air conditioner to raise the room temperature to prevent the plants from being frostbitten.
To ensure that Calla lilies grow well and bloom beautifully, it is not enough to just pay attention to the above three aspects; you also need to consider the following three points.
1. Watering reasonably and moderately
Calla lilies enjoy moisture but are prone to waterlogging. They require a higher demand for water, and only by mastering the correct watering method and controlling the amount and frequency of watering can they grow well.
In spring and autumn, which are the peak growth periods for Calla lilies, you can increase the amount and frequency of watering to keep the soil moist. In summer, when Calla lilies enter a dormant state, their water demand decreases, and you should reduce the watering frequency. Water when the soil is slightly dry to maintain the plant's vitality, making sure to avoid watering during the high-temperature midday and instead water in the morning or evening.
In winter, when temperatures are low, watering once a week is usually sufficient to meet the growth needs of Calla lilies.
What to Do If the Calla Lily Leaves Become Soft and Sagging
2. Fertilize promptly
Calla lilies require nutrients for growth, and only by supplementing fertilizer according to their growth needs can they grow strong and healthy and produce beautiful flowers.
During their growth period, you can apply decomposed soybean cake fertilizer every 20 days or so. When they are growing vigorously, you can shorten the fertilizing interval to apply a mixed liquid fertilizer rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium every week or so. In the early flowering stage, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution to promote better bud differentiation and more vibrant flowers.
However, once Calla lilies enter a dormant period, fertilization should be stopped to avoid "root burn." Also, be careful not to let fertilizer water come into contact with the leaves, as it can easily burn them, causing yellowing, drying, or even rotting.
3. Prune promptly after flowering
Calla lilies grow quickly and have a relatively long flowering period. To maintain an attractive shape and promote better growth, it is necessary to prune them promptly after flowering.
After flowering, remove the withered flowers and old leaves, and剪短 (cut short) the overgrown stems to avoid excessive nutrient consumption, allowing the saved nutrients to be better utilized by the plant. It is important not to prune Calla lilies before flowering, as it can affect their blooming process and lead to a shorter flowering period, ultimately affecting their ornamental value.
Summary: Actually, caring for Calla lilies is not very difficult. By mastering certain cultivation methods, strengthening soil, light, and temperature management, and paying attention to watering, fertilizing, and post-flowering pruning, you can make Calla lilies grow vigorously and produce beautiful and colorful flowers.
The above is the full content on what to do if Calla lily leaves become soft and sagging and understanding the solutions for soft leaves, hoping it is helpful to green plant enthusiasts!