Calla Lillies

by Indira
(Los Angeles)

The leaves of my Calla Lillies are turning yellow. I have not used fertilizer in the recent past but have been watering about once every 3 days. Please give me a solution to revive them again.

Thanks,

Indira

Doug says - leaves that turn yellow on young plants do so because they're under stress. Here are the common reasons/stressors in plants that would do this.

1) Too much water
2) Not enough water
3) Not enough sunshine
4) Too much fertilizer
5) Not enough fertilizer
6) Insect infestation such as spider mites
7) The plant is old and the leaves are ready to die and be replaced by younger leaves

So - I don't know about your watering. Every three days would be far too much in my house - your house might be drier. See this article for info on how to properly water plants.

Getting the plant healthy again means solving whatever it is that's stressing the plant.

If your watering is fine - then look for spider mites under the leaves.

If no spider mites, make sure it's in full sunshine with 8-10 hours of direct light/day.

Feeding isn't usually an issue with this plant unless you've been growing it for a long time in a pot. Then all kinds of problems could be popping up.

But from experience, I'd say the primary cause of yellow leaves is overwatering.

Good luck

Doug

drooping calla!

Hi, I recently bought a calla lily bulb complete with soil and pot with not much info on how to plant and care for etc. To my surprise it soon sprouted six or seven huge stems, almost 3 feet high complete with leaves but no flowers. The pot is sitting on my kitchen window sill and is starting to take over! I would like to know if i can safely transfer to a larger pot and place outside as the stems are starting to droop and the pot doesn't seem large enough. Also will they then start to flower? -as they have no direct sunlight where they currently sit.
I would very much appreciate your'e expert advise asap as i'm worried that i'm doing it all wrong!!

Thank you

Lily

Doug says it sounds more like a Canna lily than a Calla - big leaves etc. Let me suggest you upgrade the pot to something larger and get it into the full sun (but make sure you water properly - only water when the soil is dry and water heavily when you do - use your finger to tell if the soil is wet/dry)

If the root is big enough with enough energy, it will produce a flower stem right up through the middle of the stalk.

Good luck

Calla Lily Flower Flopping Over

by Andrea
(London, Ontario)

I received a calla lily not too long ago. Shortly after, the long stem which supports the flower part became bent over, and is like that ever since. I am wondering why the stem became bent (with the flower hanging upside down toward the bottom of the pot)and why isn't it straight? Is it a sign for not enough water or light? And what can I do to make it better? Thank you.

Doug says that it depends on where you have it. A bent stem could be physical (something pushed it over) or cultural (too little sun so it stretches and flops or too much feed so it does the same thing). Not enough water and the flower keels over. Lots of reasons why it could flop but once flopped it isn't likely to straighten up again (unless it was a short-term flop caused by water stress) Once the flower is down - it's down. Sorry.

There's always next year. :-)