Ethiopian calla is very popular among lovers of indoor flowers. A plant from the aroid family is a relative of the marsh calla and calamus. In nature, there are up to 6 different types of it. All of them are very attractive and have unusual qualities.
Description
South Africa is considered the birthplace of these callas. Magnificent flowers are a real decoration of apartments, greenhouses, look great in bouquets. The plant is large, with wide, juicy and shiny leaves that are heart-shaped and bright green in color. They are located on long basal petioles and are collected in rosettes. The flower itself is distinguished by its original structure. It is formed at the end of a towering arrow and is a yellow cob inflorescence wrapped in a white veil. Its smell is very faint and resembles vanilla.
Flowering usually begins in the second half of winter and lasts for 1.5–2 months. Ethiopian calla is known under different names - zantedeschia, richardia, calla. The tuberous rhizome produces numerous offspring every year, whichmust be removed so that they do not delay flowering.
Growing conditions
Calla lilies feel best in a spacious and bright room. Under conditions as close as possible to natural, the plant will delight with its beauty for a long time. The container for these flowers needs a voluminous one, with a deep enough tray. The Ethiopian calla is not afraid of the sun's rays, but it must be protected from drafts. It is very important to follow the basic rules of growing - maintaining the required temperature, lighting, humidity, timely feeding.
Ground requirements
Under natural conditions, calla lilies prefer wet swampy areas. This must be taken into account when preparing the soil mixture for planting, adding river silt to it and placing a deep pan under the pot (it must contain a layer of water of at least 5 cm). If you are counting on the long-term maintenance of the plant, it is necessary that the substrate be slightly acidic, rich in nutrients. It should contain clay-turf and peat soil, humus, sand (all in a ratio of 1:1:1:0, 5). It is very good if it is possible to add a little swamp substrate or river silt. Ethiopian domestic calla grows well in pure peat. Some growers use manure or compost to prepare the soil mix.
Landing
In March, spacious pots are prepared - for 1 tuber, the capacity should be at least 3 liters. The soil mixture is poured into them withadding superphosphate to it (1 tablespoon for every 3 liters of substrate). A drainage layer must be poured at the bottom.
Tubers intended for planting must be he althy. This is evidenced by their elasticity, light yellow color and the presence of living apical buds. Overdried gray tubers with wrinkled skin are not suitable. Existing areas of rot or growths are carefully scraped off with a sharp knife.
Before landing, certain preparatory work is carried out. For 2-3 weeks, the tubers are transferred to a warm place with good lighting. Then it is dipped for 15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, after which it is dried. This will help protect the flowers from rotting and pest damage, which Ethiopian calla often suffers from.
Tubers are planted shallowly - a maximum of 10 cm - and moistened a little. Pots are placed where it is warm and there are no drafts.
Irrigation
In the first 2 weeks, the plant does not need strong moisture. Later they switch to abundant watering. Water is used soft, settled. During the flowering period, additional moisture is required, so the leaves of zantedeschia are sprayed from a spray bottle, bathed in the shower. It is also necessary to ensure that there is always water in the pan.
For a native of tropical Africa, indoor humidity should be at least 55%. Subject to this condition, not only large flowers, but also beautiful greenery will delight the Ethiopian calla. Plant care involves abundant watering only during the development of leaves and flowering. From that moment,when a period of rest comes, they are reduced, then they are completely stopped for 1.5-2 months and gradually resumed again. This phase in the development of the plant usually lasts from autumn to February.
Temperature and lighting
It is desirable that the room for growing callas be bright and spacious. Direct sunlight is detrimental to the plant. It is better if the light is a little diffused. A flower pot can be placed on a north or east window. Ethiopian white calla grows well under artificial lighting, the main thing is that it is properly selected, otherwise the plant may not bloom. Light day should last 10-12 hours.
An important role is played by the temperature in the room where the zantedeschia grows. It can fluctuate depending on the phase of calla development. During flowering, it is necessary to maintain the temperature within 15-18⁰С. Its increase even by 2 degrees will lead to a decrease in the quality of the flowers. During the dormant period, it is recommended to remove callas in a room where it is from 8 to 10⁰С heat.
Feeding
Fertilizers begin to be applied when the first leaves appear. Combine both root and foliar top dressing. Mineral and organic fertilizers are used on average 2 times a month. At the beginning, at the stage of plant development, it is mainly nitrogen fertilizers. During the flowering period, more phosphorus and potassium are needed. You can use conventional complex fertilizers for indoor plants containing these elements. Long-term and more beautiful flowering depends on them to a greater extent. Ethiopian calla with its appearance signals aboutdeficiency of a particular nutrient. With a lack of nitrogen, the leaves fade, losing their gloss. The lack of potassium is expressed in raising up their pointed tips.
When foliar feeding, it is very important that the droplets of the solution do not fall on the white cover of the flower. This can lead to the loss of its decorative effect. Periodically replacing the top layer of the substrate, you can do without plant transplantation. At the time when the Ethiopian calla is blooming, home care also allows the introduction of dressings in the form of tea leaves, egg shells, fruit peels.
Caring for the plant during dormancy
At the end of flowering, calla growth stops, but the roots continue to develop. This period usually lasts from May to July. Until autumn, the plant can be placed on a balcony or loggia, where piercing winds do not penetrate and it is possible to hide from the sun. Neither watering nor fertilizing is done at this time.
You can put calla lilies into a state of deep dormancy by removing the leaves completely and placing them in a refrigerator, cellar or any other place where the temperature is between 3-5⁰С.
Reproduction
It can be produced by both offspring and seeds. The first method is much simpler, which is why flower growers most often use it. Offspring are small nodules that form around the main one in large numbers (sometimes there are up to 25 of them). They have to be removed in any case, so as not to delay the development of the plant. The tubers are separated carefully so as not to damage the roots on them, and planted in prepared containers filled with the substrate. It is obtained by mixing 2 parts of sod land and one each - peat, leaf and sand. Then the pots are placed in a room with a temperature of + 12-16⁰С and a humidity of at least 80%. Be sure to have good lighting, because otherwise the plants stretch out, the leaves lose their bright color, and the quality of flowering may suffer in the future.
To increase the amount of planting material, the offspring can be divided in half so that at least one kidney remains on each. The fracture site is treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or sprinkled with charcoal.
Ethiopian calla also propagates with the help of seeds. This method is used mainly by breeders, because it allows you to save the varietal characteristics of the plant. Only fresh seeds are taken for planting. They are soaked for 6 hours in a special solution that stimulates development. After that, they spread it on a damp cloth, covering it with its other end on top, and place it in a warm place for 7 days. As soon as the seeds germinate, they are sown in the ground. They germinate at a temperature of 20⁰С. The entrances that have appeared dive in separate containers.
Diseases and pests
Mainly Ethiopian calla suffers from fungal and infectious diseases. Planting and care, carried out without observing the rules of agricultural technology, are the main reasons for their occurrence. Waterlogging of the soil, an excess of nitrogenous fertilizers usually lead to damagefungus plants. At the first sign of this, it is necessary to stop watering, replace the soil and treat the flower with fungicides.
The most important thing is to prevent such diseases, because getting rid of some of them can be very difficult. Prevention consists in disinfecting tubers, removing parts of the plant with the slightest signs of disease.
Of insect pests for callas, the greatest danger is spider mites and aphids. To combat them, it is recommended to spray the plant with special preparations ("Fitoverm", "Vertimek") and soapy water.
With proper care, Ethiopian calla can become a real decoration of the house. Photos of these amazing flowers confirm the fact that with very little effort, you can grow such beauty in your home.
