Can I Split My Calla Lily? Expert Tips You Need to Know!
What To Know
- Splitting, or dividing, your calla lily is a simple and effective method of propagation, allowing you to expand your collection and share these stunning plants with friends and family.
- Use your hands or a garden fork to carefully lift the calla lily from its pot or the ground.
- It’s a simple and effective way to propagate these plants, ensuring you have a beautiful display of calla lilies for years to come.
Calla lilies, with their graceful, trumpet-shaped flowers and elegant foliage, are a prized addition to any garden. But what if you want to enjoy more of these beauties? Can you split your calla lily and create new plants? The answer is a resounding yes! Splitting, or dividing, your calla lily is a simple and effective method of propagation, allowing you to expand your collection and share these stunning plants with friends and family.
Understanding Calla Lily Growth
Before diving into the splitting process, it’s helpful to understand how calla lilies grow. These plants are rhizomatous perennials, meaning they grow from underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes store energy and nutrients, allowing the plant to produce new shoots and leaves each year. As the rhizome matures, it can develop multiple growth points, leading to a clump of plants.
When is the Best Time to Split a Calla Lily?
The ideal time to split your calla lily is during its dormant period, typically in late summer or early fall after the foliage has died back. This is when the plant is focusing its energy on the rhizome, making it the perfect time for division.
Preparing for Division
Gather the following supplies:
- Sharp knife or garden shears: For clean cuts through the rhizomes.
- Gardening gloves: To protect your hands from the rhizome’s sap.
- Potting mix: A well-draining mix suitable for calla lilies.
- New pots: Select pots that are slightly larger than the rhizomes.
The Splitting Process
1. Gently lift the plant: Use your hands or a garden fork to carefully lift the calla lily from its pot or the ground.
2. Inspect the rhizome: Look for healthy growth points, which will appear as small buds or shoots.
3. Divide the rhizome: Using your knife or shears, cut the rhizome into sections, ensuring each section has at least one healthy growth point.
4. Prepare the new pots: Fill the pots with potting mix, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
5. Plant the divisions: Place the rhizome sections in the pots, positioning the growth points facing upwards. Cover the rhizomes with potting mix, leaving the growth points exposed.
6. Water thoroughly: Water the newly potted plants until the water drains out of the drainage holes.
Caring for Your New Calla Lily Plants
- Location: Place your new calla lilies in a bright location, but avoid direct sunlight.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering.
- Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer every few weeks to encourage growth.
- Dormancy: In the fall, allow the foliage to die back naturally. Reduce watering and store the pots in a cool, dry location until the following spring.
Tips for Success
- Clean tools: Sterilize your knife or shears before and after use to prevent the spread of disease.
- Healthy rhizomes: Choose healthy, robust rhizomes for division. Avoid using rhizomes that are soft, mushy, or have signs of disease.
- Patience: It may take a few weeks for the new plants to start growing. Be patient and provide them with the proper care.
The Benefits of Splitting Your Calla Lily
- Increased plant count: One calla lily can be divided into multiple new plants, expanding your collection quickly.
- Renewal and rejuvenation: Splitting helps to refresh the plant and encourage vigorous growth.
- Sharing with others: Propagating your calla lilies allows you to share these beautiful plants with friends and family.
Beyond Splitting: Other Propagation Methods
While splitting is a popular method for calla lily propagation, there are other options:
- Seed propagation: This is a longer process, but it allows you to grow new varieties from seeds.
- Tissue culture: This is a more advanced technique used in labs to produce large numbers of genetically identical plants.
A Final Word on Calla Lily Division
Splitting your calla lily is a rewarding experience that allows you to enjoy more of these elegant blooms. It’s a simple and effective way to propagate these plants, ensuring you have a beautiful display of calla lilies for years to come.
Time to Get Growing!
Now that you know the ins and outs of splitting your calla lily, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Gather your supplies, choose a healthy plant, and get ready to enjoy the joy of propagating these magnificent blooms!
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
1. Can I split my calla lily in the spring?
While splitting is best done during dormancy, you can attempt it in the spring if necessary. However, the plant may be more stressed and the divisions may take longer to establish.
2. How often should I split my calla lily?
Splitting your calla lily every 2-3 years is generally recommended. This helps to maintain healthy growth and prevent overcrowding.
3. What if my calla lily rhizome is too large to split?
If the rhizome is very large, you can divide it into smaller sections. Just make sure each section has at least one healthy growth point.
4. Can I split my calla lily if it’s in the ground?
Yes, you can split calla lilies that are planted in the ground. However, it’s often easier to do it when they are in pots.
5. What should I do with the old rhizome after splitting?
You can discard the old rhizome, or you can try to replant it. However, it may not be as vigorous as the new divisions.