Calla lilies are grown in full sun or semi shade with at least 4 hrs direct sun, the big white variety can tolerate more shade.

In natural cycle, like most bulbous aroids, the bloom start just after the dormancy period and continues till mid season. After that foliage gathers energy from sun and store it in the bulbous part of the plant. When the plant stops forming new leaves, which is just after the summer season, the watering should be lowered. Eventually the foliage dries down to the ground. The tubers should be dug out and stored in a cool & dry place. During the dormancy period the tuber utilizes its energy in making inflorescence spikes, if there's not enough energy the spikes are not formed. But such kind of malnourished tubers, when planted under optimal conditions, next summers, may bloom late in the season.

Many Callas do not go dormant and continue to form leaves, it happens due to the warmer temperatures (like here in our region) these form the inflorescence spike after every two to three months in summer and only foliage during cooler season..

They don't really need dormancy ive noticed. Although it might be necessary if it hasn't bloomed in a long time

ok, so my next question is if its in a pot how do you make it go into dormancy and when?

greenjesse,
I'm no expert but have been growing callas, mostly albomaculata but several other varieties as well, in zone 5b for about 20 years. Planted outside, these are mostly in the ground but a few in pots. After 1st frost you'll notice the leaves lie flat on the ground. This is the time to dig the corm, cut off the leaves and let dry out of the sun. I usually take them right to the basement and let them dry for 4 or 5 days there. Clean off the dirt and store them in cool dry spot for the winter. They can be planted back outside after last frost.

Mine do best in full sun with plenty of water, well draining soil with a good layer of mulch.

To be more specific and answer your question, after LAST frost I would put the pot outside. You are in zone 6 right? Keep in a sunny location, water well and after 1st frost follow previous advice. Here's what I include with bulbs I've given away or donated plant sales:

Zantedeschia albomaculata: Calla Lily

Form: Tender bulb. Exposure: Full Sun. Height: 24" (to 30" bloom). Spread: 18-24". Zone: 8-10. Flower Date: June-July.

>Planting Reqs: Plant 4-8" deep and 18-24" apart when all danger of frost has passed (last week of May in ELong.). I plant those in back 4" deep and those in front 6-8" then cover all with 2" of compost/mulch. Fertilize using a 5-10-10 or 5-10-5 fertilizer.

>Lifting Reqs: Lift the rhizomes after first frost, cut back stems, clean off excess soil, let dry out of the direct sun for a few days and then store in a dry location that remains between 50 and 60 degrees F. They can be divided before storage as long as the cut portions are allowed to dry. Doing so will prevent the open wounds from rotting. I use perlite in a PAPER bag. Check in late January. If rot is evident cut, scrape and clean off all rot. Coat cut surface liberally with powdered anti-fungal or cinnamon pushed firmly into flesh. Let dry and store.

>Soil Reqs: Slightly acidic (6-6.5) well drained, humus enriched sandy loam. Adding mulch to the soil will help maintain a constant soil temperature. This will help keep the plant stress-free. Mulch will also improve the texture of the soil and help hold in valuable moisture. Calla lilies thrive in well-drained, loose soil.

>Pruning: Remove spent flower stems to tidy up your plants and strengthen leaves and corm.

>Note: Watch out for Japanese Beetles.

Hope this helps.

Evan

Ok this is great advice thanks! I'm gonna do what u say

For the first time I planted my calla lilies in planter pots and some in the ground. I have had blooms every year for the past 8 yrs when I plant them in the ground. Will my calla lilies bloom in the pots outside? They are in full sun.

I've planted 3 rhizomes for calla lilies this year. They all came up with very generous size plants (like there were more that one rhizome in each place). My concern is that they haven't bloomed yet and I see no sign of a blossom developing anywhere. Two plants have solid green leaves, while one has white spots on the leaves, like in picture on the package. Any suggestions?

Im still stumped on this issue! Right now im following the advice about giving them fresh soil and bigger pots. Boy are the leaves really taking off though. Still no blooms. Im afraid to put them in the ground here bc the sun is too harsh. I put the pots outside oneday all day in the spot where i would have planted them and made sure the soil was moist but the plant almost died. I guess i just have to risk it bc all the advice i did get, they all say put them in the ground. Im going to try to over winter them and see about next year :(

I have a calla lily that is growing very tall but no signs of flower. It started growing in February in the basement. I brought it up and put it in a window w/ morning sun. How do I get it to flower?

I grow callas in pots in Metrowest MA. After the first frost - usually some time in October, I cut down all of the foilage and bring the pot into the house. I let the pot dry out as much as it can in a week or two while inside the house. Then I cover the surface of the pot with a few layers of cardboard to make it dark, and shove it under something in the basement. I do nothing to it all winter long and leave the bulbs in the dirt in the pot. In late April, early May, I remove the cardboard from the pot and place the pot in the sun in the basement of our home for one month and begin watering every few days. By end of May, there is plenty of foilage in the pot to be able to put it out of doors and have it look pretty. After fertilizing you should get blooms by end of July. They're lovely, but don't last very long. But the foilage is very nice and looks great in a large pot. Good luck!