Calla Lily Bulbs, Flame

Callas are shipped as rhizome bulbs and should be planted immediately upon arrival. If it is not time to plant the bulbs, store in a cool, dry, dark location with air circulation. Ideal storage temperature is 4-18°C (40-65°F) degrees.

• Plant Calla lilies after the last Spring frost. Pick a well-draining, rich, organic flower bed or planter to plant into. They prefer to be planted in a location that receives filtered light or part shade as plants will burn in full sun. Calla Lilies are easy to grow in almost any soil condition but avoid excessively soggy soil as they will rot.
• if you have clay soil, you can amend it by loosening the soil to a depth of 30-38 cm (12-15") and work in a 5-10 cm (2-4") layer of well-rotted manure or compost to improve fertility and drainage.
• Loosen the soil to a depth of 30 cm (12") before planting. After loosening the soil, this is a good time to mix in 5-10 cm (2-4") of well-rotted manure, or compost.
• Bulbs should be planted 5 cm (2") deep with the eyes (growing tips) facing upwards. The bulbs should be spaced 15 cm (6") apart.
• Fill in around the bulb, firmly pressing down the soil so it is even with the surrounding ground, and water well. Make sure there are no air pockets in the soil.

Planting in containers

• Select a container, at least 25-31 cm (10-12") in diameter, making sure there is adequate drainage holes. Stones can be added to the bottom of the container to aid in drainage.

• Choose a growing medium recommended for outdoor containers. Do not use garden soil.

• Plant bulbs 5 cm (2") deep, spaced 5 cm (2") apart

• Top the container off with more soil and gently pat the surface with your hands to settle the soil.

• Water needs in gardens and containers: water sparingly, every 2 to 3 days until sprouts appear through the soil. Thereafter keep soil slightly moistened all the time. Callas do not like to be dry or excessively wet.

• Bulbs should be removed after the first frost for overwintering, or treat as an annual.

To get a jump start to the flowering season, you can plant the bulbs in containers indoors about a month before transplanting into the garden or moving containers outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

• After planting, it can take 14-21 days for the first calla shoots to appear. Once shoots appear, the plants grow quickly.
• During the growing season, Calla lilies benefit from a monthly application of liquid fertilizer such as Superthrive. This is especially important when they are grown in containers.
• Planting in soil that is too rich in nitrogen will produce lush, green plants with no flowers. To counteract this, add phosphorus-rich soil.