The secrets to success is just learning the right dance. This is the dance I did, and it worked for me...at least last year.

I had two kinds of Calla's last year. I started them in 4in pots on the heat mat. It took them a long time to show themselves....but they finally did. Around plant out time, I planted the group of each colour in plastic 12 inch pots. When the weather was miserable or cooler, I set them back in the green house...and they flowered nicely for me.

I haven't potted them up yet this year....will do that soon. I did notice that they are starting to grow/sprout already though.

Sierra

Thanks Sierra. I potted them up. I actually had 2 in the bag instead of 1. They both have little sprouts forming already. I have no room on my heat mat yet, so I'll find someplace warmer for them.
Shelley

Sierra, they both are growing for me already. Beginnersuck???? l

LOL!

It is good that they are growing already.

I just potted mine up this week. They multiplied for me last year so I have 6 pots this year. I potted them in 6 inch pots this year, till plant out time. The whites multiplied more than the purples. I don't have room on the heat mat now either...but since they already sprouted, they don't need it anyway.

Way to grow, girl!

Sierra

Our callas are already potted up. We get them going early and put them in larger pots after the last frost. All of our tender bulbs are now in pots.

Oh my goodness. I don't remember seeing that typo. It was supposed to say beginners luck. ??????????????

Shelley

One my Rehmanni has rotted now. I think that I over watered it. I read somewhere that they like to be kept wet. Now I understand they were talking about a certain variety.
Oh well. I found a Picasso at one of the greenhouses in Saskatoon.(Which was huge and has started to show sprouts) And 3 more came from Gardenimport yesterday-Bridal Bliss, Twilight and Dark Eyes. Plus I still have one coming from Botanus-Crystal Blush.

I'm thinking about putting these in pots with wave petunias and other annuals. They will be the taller focal point. Is this a good idea or not? I've seen Canna plants done this way.

Shelley

Shelley,

You could use callas in the pots with your annuals as the taller focal point. I have done so with cannas, callas, oriental lilies and asparagus plants. This year I took off quite a few slips off my Mona Lavendar plectranthus to use later as centers for my planters.

I do find though, that my calla foliage, as the season goes on, tends to start falling over and not be completely upright anymore. But mine have also grown in the same container without being transplanted or split for about 5 years, so maybe the maturity and number of leaves may have something to do with mine not remaining upright the whole season. Something else to do in the next few weeks...split and transplant all the callas.

My girlfriend in Brandon has used her callas that way for years and loves it. She buys the callas with a hot pink flower and also uses a blue lobelia in the pot. I think something with a gold flower also. Really bright and cheerful. I love the flowers on the callas she gets. Just wish the flowers would last the whole season.

Brenda

Brenda, my calla foliage does the same thing after awhile....flops. And I do repot mine every year. I've usually put mine in it's own container, but last year put in some lobelia with it too, and when it's in bloom, it has a spot of honour. But after the blooms are done, it gets tucked away in a less conspicuous corner. I don't know if it's because mine are the white variety, but they bloom quite quickly after they've been planted. So I don't pot mine up until the end of April/beginning of May, or else they're done blooming before I can even get them outside.

I have had pink, yellow and white ones all in the same pot for years. I just cut back the folliage in the Fall when I bring it in the basement. This year I'd like them in bloom for my wedding on Aug 11th. I read somewhere that once planted, they will take 9 weeks to bloom time, so I guess I should leave them in the basement another month, as long as they haven't started to sprout before then. Wish me luck.

I bought a package of 3 lavender gem calla lilies and potted them up in the heated GH..one has a tip showing through the soil now. A friend of mine places a pot of calla lilies in her pond and it looks lovely, I'm hoping to do the same..savona

I agree with Brenda, the foliage does get floppy. I put bamboo sticks in the pot and use velcro ties to hold them up.

Some of the callas have leaves that are starting to unfurl.

Sierra