I live in central Oklahoma. My cala Lily plants have always done well. This year, I left the dead foliage on them and when I went to pull them off there were a lot of sow bugs under the foliage. Should I try to kill them or just leave them alone?
This article will help you in ridding these from the area: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/sow-bug-control.htm
Why don't we want the dead heads to turn into seed pods? Won't this just produce more plant's? Or, what are the seeds and what do they produce?
Here is an article: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/calla-lily/calla-lily-seed-info.htm
You could let the flower go to seed but this will inhibit repeat bloom as the plant channels energy into seed formation. It is very easy to divide the tubers after the leaves die back if you wish to propagate more plants. Northern gardeners have to dig up tubers in the fall and store them as they won't overwinter north of zone 7. You can grow calla from seed but it takes 3 years to reach blooming size.
Does a nitrogen-based plant food affect all bulbs this way or only Cala Lillies?
Nitrogen promotes green leafy growth in all plants. In excess, this growth will be at the expense of flowers. Obviously, plants need some nitrogen; it is the one major nutrient that passes through soil the quickest. Also, a fertilizer with lots of phosphorus and potassium can cause problems. A soil test is the best way to determine the nutrient needs of the soil in your garden. Without one, you are traveling blindly and at the mercy of fertilizer adds/product labels. Good cultural practices such as topdressing with 2 inches of compost, may be all that is necessary in healthy soil that isn't sandy.
I had these calla lily flowers and then let them go dormant, dry out and then put them in my fridge for 3 months .after removing i took them out watered and fertilized them and they came up and grew like crazy.It's been 2 months and i got a huge plant with 3 leaves from each stem but no flowers . Did my initial fertilizer keep them from flowering ???? Do they still have a chance of flowering ?? . plants are in a southern window getting 8 hours a day ,water every other
If you fed a slow release, or anything high in nitrogen, then this will definitely keep them from flowering. They will need a food higher in potassium and phosphorus to do their best.
This article will help you to care for these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/calla-lily/growing-calla-lilies-and-care-of-calla-lilies.htm
My calla lillies unexpectedly sprouted and bloomed while wintering them in the basement. We are zone 4 and now I'd like to take them outside, but am not sure how to plant them because of the foliage and flowers.
Go ahead and plant them out as usual. The will be fine, just a little eager for warm weather, like the rest of use cold climate gardeners.
Shelter them just a bit, just like you are hardening off a new plant from the garden center--to help them adjust to the sun.
My repotted calla Lilly leaves are turning yellow. Is that from too much water?
Yellow leaves usually indicate too much or too little water. Check the soil moisture level by sticking your finger into the soil. Soil should be moist but never soggy. Make sure the water is draining from the pot, check the drainage hole to make sure it isn't blocked.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/calla-lily/calla-lily-watering.htm
The back of our property is fenced with a deer fence, but the front of our house is not fenced at all. Where do you suggest I plant them? I really would like to do the front! Thank you for your help
I found calla lily on the deer resistant list for several states but it was omitted on others. Check with your local "county extension service" for lists in your area. Tender, new, water-filled leaves (as opposed to lavender leaves) are what they favor along with flowers in the bud like tulips and roses. They do not like to come close to the house unless they are spurred on by hunger and they do not like herbs or fragrant leaves/flowers. What smells good to us is stinky to them. Consider interplanting sage, lavender, thyme or other aromatic species around and among the calla.