Fascinating callas at home

Kalla is a genus of perennial plants belonging to the family of Aroids and originating from the marshlands of South Africa. Zantehedchia, Rihardia, Calla - other names for these magnificent plants.

Callas are subdivided into rhizome and tuber. The principal difference is that the first do not discard the leaves in the rest period. The aerial parts of both species are similar. They have dense vitreous leaves on long grooved petioles. There is practically no stalk. Peduncles rise above the leaves. They carry one cob-shaped inflorescence of small yellow flowers and a funnel-shaped bracture leaf. It is the bract of some people mistaken for a flower. In rhizome callas it is white, and in tuberous - color (yellow, pink, crimson, lilac and even black).

Often, bringing a blossoming calla home and not knowing what kind of variety it belongs to, people are guided by the general principles of care. Considering the origin of the plant, it is excessively watered. Tuber callas in the home in response to this are starting to discard the leaves. And people think that the plant is dead, and throw it away with an earthy lump.

With the rhizome, another trouble occurs. The plant, getting from the greenhouse into the apartment with warm dry air, believes that the African summer (its period of rest) has come and is being prepared for it. It ceases to bloom, loses part Leaves, niknet. People rush to save their acquisition - they begin to water and spray. The baffled plant as a result does not rest, and does not grow.

Because of the described misunderstanding, many people had the impression that callas at home are difficult to grow, that they are capricious and rarely blossom. This is not true. It is important only to give plants a period of rest, understanding the cycle of their development.

Rhizome callas at home in the summer is desirable to have in a small shading. In autumn they should be returned to the window sill. Irrigation and top dressing during the vegetation are required regular. Flowers callas at home appear around the beginning of November, flowering can continue until April-May.

After this, the plant must be sent to rest, i.e. Water rarely, once every ten days and a limited amount of water. You can not feed him at this time. At the end of the rest it is desirable to remove the flower from the pot, remove the old leaves, separate the children with a diameter of 1 cm or more. Then plant the plant without burial (can be in the same container) in fresh soil. After the transplant, irrigation is increased for three weeks, switching to vegetative regime.

Tuber callas at home should be planted in March, by this time they appear on sale. Before planting, they must be disinfected. In one container with drainage and nutrient mixture it is advisable to place several tubers at a distance of about 5 cm in order to achieve more spectacular flowering. Strongly can not be buried, above the tuber should be about 4 cm of soil. Planting with water, cover with a transparent film and place in a bright place.

With the appearance of the leaves of the leaves, the film must be removed immediately. If the light day is still short, it is desirable to provide additional lighting in the evening for several hours with fluorescent lights. Feeding preferably with special fertilizers ("Planet of Flowers") every two weeks.

The month will blossom through three tuber callas at home. The photo perfectly demonstrates them. They will last for up to four months. After flowering you need to shorten the watering, wait for the leaves to dry out and remove the tubers from the pot. Put them in a bag of sawdust and put in a dark cool place for 4-5 months.

Callas at home are able to delight the look and cause admiration of the guests while observing the cycles of their development.