Calla flower and its varieties

Calla flower is a perennial herb from the aroid family. It can be grown both in a pot and in a large greenhouse. In its natural environment, it grows in a swampy area. This unusual and interesting-looking flower is readily amenable to cultivation.

What are calla flowers?

Calla flowers: photo

Calla or zantedexia is a herbaceous culture that in its growth can reach a height of two hundred and fifty centimeters. The foliage is quite wide, deeply dark green in color, growing directly from the roots. If the varieties whose leaves are covered with a whitish speck. Inflorescences are like cobs on a long peduncle stalk. Funnel-shaped flower, can be of different colors. They are planted both in large greenhouses and in a pot on the windowsill. A large number of varieties are grown to create bouquet arrangements, because they can delight the eye for up to thirty days.

Calla flower is a poisonous culture. It contains - calcium oxalate. If the nutritious juice of this plant gets on some kind of mucous membrane, it can cause irritation and pain, swelling, as well as a strong allergic reaction. If you drop the juice on the skin, it will contribute to contact dermatitis. Based on this, you need to take care of the plant very carefully, so that its juice does not fall on you.

When propagating the Calla flower, I mainly use the method with dividing the rhizome, less often they use seeds.

Calla flowers: photo

In order for the calla to feel comfortable and bloom profusely, it needs a period of rest. Its duration ranges from two to six months. From the beginning of this period, the calla flower throws off all its foliage and stops growing. White plants do not lose their decorative appearance, but they also stop growth and development. Blooming varieties for dormant times should be stored in a cool room in the form of dormant tubers. White varieties just need to cut back on the frequency and amount of watering.

Calla flowers: species and varieties with names and photos

• Elota calla.
• Remani calla.
• Picasso calla.
• Ethiopian calla.

Each variety of Calla flower is special and striking in its appearance.

Calla flowers: photo

Elliott calla "Zantedeschia elliottiana"

This variety of Calla flower has the largest foliage with whitish blotches. Flowers in two colors. The culture is tuberous, and therefore if you want to propagate it, you will need to use the vegetative method. Care must be taken, because the varieties of this variety are thermophilic, photophilous, and also require regular watering.

• Vermeer... The bushes of this plant look very original. The foliage is carved, the edges are wavy, there are whitish blotches. Inside, the flower is deep purple, but closer to the edge it gradually turns into snow-white.
• Yellow corner... The stems of this plant are initially green in color, but from time to time they acquire a yellowish tint. The foliage is large, with a white speck. Flowers of a lemon-yellow warm shade.
• Black-eyed beauty. Flowers are Calla varieties, also quite interesting. The base of the stamen in the heart of the flower is colored burgundy-purple, and the flower itself is light yellow. The foliage is dark green in color, which is strewn with white blotches of various shapes.

Remani calla "Calla rehmannii"

This is a stunted variety. She does not grow taller than fifty centimeters. The foliage is narrow, green, shed during the dormant period. You can propagate by means of tubers.

Calla Remani flowers: photo

• The evening... Its inflorescences are almost black with red edges. There are small white blotches on the foliage.
• Indian summer... This is a very rare variety. Its inflorescences are burgundy-wine.
• Chameleon. A very unusual variety. Flowers differ from each other due to the fact that they are unevenly colored in pale orange and bright yellow colors. The foliage is large, white speckled, with wavy edges.
• Picasso. This plant can reach thirty-five to forty-five centimeters in height. Inflorescences are deep burgundy with light edges. It begins to bloom in the middle of the summer period and continues this process for about thirty to forty days.
• Black Forest... This calla lily variety has the largest wine-lilac inflorescences.
• Anneke... Fuchsia inflorescences. Foliage of a pale green shade with white oblong blotches.

Ethiopian calla "Zantedeschia aethiopoca"

It is the largest calla flower variety that can grow even in partial shade. The foliage is large, green. Inflorescences are funnel-shaped. When the dormant period sets in, the culture retains its foliage.

Calla flowers: photo

• Green goddess. The inflorescences of this variety are very interesting. In the very core, they are white, and closer to the edges they acquire a rich green. The stamen is yellow.
• Childsiana. Large flowers, snowy white.
• Amethyst. Very tall bushes. The color of the inflorescences is deep purple. Delivers a pleasant aroma.
• Pearl. Tall plant. Foliage of a pale greenish tint. The inflorescences are large, white, and their outer part is green. Delicate aromatics.
• Albomaculata... Foliage of a dark green shade with small specks. Flowers are white. They smell of delicate vanilla.
• Captain Chelsea... Its inflorescences attract with two flowers at once. The flowers are burgundy with a bright yellow border. Foliage of a dark greenish hue with silver splashes.
• Little Jam. Probably the most unusual inflorescences. The flower seems to be twisted.

Planting calla lilies

Calla tubers must first be disinfected in a manganese solution, and then soaked in a liquid that stimulates the development of the root system. The volume of soil per plant is approximately two and a half liters. At the very bottom there should be a drainage layer, and already on it is nutritious soil. The tuber itself is smooth in its lower part, and at the top it has tubercles. You need to plant the tuber with a smooth area down in a pre-moistened soil. Calla lilies should not be planted very deeply. The layer of overlying earth should be about one to two centimeters. If you plant it deeper, then the tuber may begin to rot.

Once you have planted the calla flowers, there is no need to water them. Calla flowers are simply placed in a warm place that does not get cold drafts. Then the watering should be stable. Calla flower can be fed with universal complex fertilizers for decorative flowering crops.