Intro
The Calla in decorative pot is perfectly suited as a houseplant, but can also function perfectly as a terrace plant in summer. On the terrace it prefers shade, but after getting used to outdoor conditions it can also tolerate the sun. Calla is often seen as colourful and simple elegance. Nice to know is that research has shown that the Calla stress-reducing effect on people and you can better express your creativity when there would be one on your desk.
Location
The Calla is best suited to a light location with a moist, well-drained soil. This means two to four times a week a firm splash of water as long as the plant flowers. No water should remain in the pot.
Zantedeschia Calla care
Temperature
The Calla works best at a temperature between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. The plant will also tolerate lower temperatures, but will stop growing. It could even survive temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius.
Watering
It is advisable to water the Calla once a week. If too much water is given, drops will come on the leaf of the Calla (guttation). By watering the plant a little less you stop this. If the leaves start to hang, this indicates a water shortage. By watering the plant a lot, it will recover. Make sure that no layer of water gets into the pot, as this can be bad for the roots. Always give more water when the weather is warmer than when the weather is colder.
Repotting
When repotting, it is advisable to use a pot that is considerably larger than the old pot. Place the plant in the new pot and add new potting soil if necessary.
Nutrition
It is good to give the Calla some extra nutrition in spring and summer. Never give more than the indicated dosage and never water in the winter. In the winter the plant is in the resting position and uses little energy.
Origin
The Zantedeschia Calla is originally a South African marsh plant and comes from the family of the Aronskelkaigen (Araceae). This family consists of single-seed lobed plants. The flowers are collected on a fleshy spike, surrounded by a bract. This bract is often attractively coloured.
In 1725 the Calla was discovered by the then European governor. He sent a number of specimens to Europe, where it has become a popular house and terrace plant.
Calla is a marsh plant that is firmly anchored in banks. The plant grows from South Africa to Malawi, often in places where the drainage of rainwater is impeded. This creates a short marshy situation in which Calla stores moisture in its bulbs. And they help him through the dry periods.
Diseases
It will be enough that leaves will become ugly. This goes naturally and indicates that the leaf is getting old. Remove it so that the plant can make new leaves again and no energy is lost to old leaves.
