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'Hercules' Calla Lily

Zantedeschia sp.

Please be careful removing your plant from it's packaging.

Getting started -- Your Calla was grown in filtered light, not direct sun, so it should be acclimated to direct sun slowly.  To prevent wilting or burning, i recommend starting your plant with bright, indirect light for the first 2-3 weeks.  After this, you can start giving it a little filtered sunlight or morning sun.  This will give your plant time to grow a larger root system, so it can handle more light.  Keep in mind that this Calla doesn't need much direct sun. 

Soil -- Most regular potting soils should work.  If you make your own soil mix, use something along the lines of 2 parts well-decomposed compost to 1 part perlite, along with some slow-release organic fertilizer.   Transplant to a 1 gallon container (approximately), which will hold it for a few months.

Before removing your plant from its pot, give it a watering, so the soil doesn't break apart, which can damage the roots.  If you have trouble removing it, squeeze the bottom edges of the container, or push the eraser end of a pencil into the holes at the bottom.

Watering -- For the first month, ensure that the original soil ball remains moist (but not soggy). This Calla does best with consistently moist soil.  In warmer or sunnier weather, make sure the soil doesn't dry out.  Avoid keeping the soil constantly soggy however.

Climate -- The Hercules Calla likes cool temperatures away from hot sun.  It flowers best with winter temperatures between about 40 and 65, and summer temperatures between about 60 and 80.  In warmer areas, shade it during the heat of the day and don't plant it where heat can accumulate, like near a sunny wall.  This Calla doesn't need much direct sun.  It will do fine with tree-filtered sun or morning sun + bright shade.  

Repotting -- When the roots poke out of the bottom of the container, it should go in a larger container, or into the ground (mild-winter areas only).  Transplant carefully to avoid disturbing the roots.  Step your way up from 1 gallon to 5, then 15, etc.  For the final pot (assuming you're not going to plant it in the ground), use as big a container as you can.  I recommend 30-40 gallons if possible, to ensure nice big flowers.  Each time you repot, bury it under an inch or two more soil.  A mature bulb should be under about 5-6" of soil.

In warmer areas, mulch the soil to retain water and don't use a black pot, which can overheat the roots.  It's best to keep the pot shaded, so the roots stay cool.

Winter strategies -- 'Hercules' is root hardy to Zone 8.  Protect it from all frost if you want the leaves to make it through the winter.  This Calla usually doesn't go dormant, like other Callas.  If you bring it indoors over the winter, try to keep some or most of the leaves intact, if possible.  Removing the leaves may delay flowering.  'Hercules' can normally flower throughout the year.

Fertilizing -- The larger your plant is, the more food it will need.  Any balanced vegetable fertilizer should work. Follow the label's recommended dosage.  Cut back on the feedings if your plant goes through a dormant period, and increase the feedings when growth is quick.  Don't try to force more growth with more fertilizer, as this may poison it.  It's normal for some of their older leaves to yellow and die throughout the year, but if it's excessive, it could be from not enough fertilizer, particularly nitrogen.

Bugs to watch for -- Spider mites (tiny "dots" under the leaves), Aphids (green ones are hard to see), snails/slugs.

If any questions or problems come up, feel free to email me.

Have fun growing it!

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