Methods For Growing Calla Lilies From Seed?

This guide aims to help beginners and those with an interest in growing calla lilies from seeds. Germination takes about 22 days, but the process is relatively easy. To start, spread calla lily seeds on a damp paper towel and lightly cover them. Keep the paper towel in a cool place away from direct sunlight and check the seeds every few days for growth.

Have the seeds planted at the right time: The best time is on a dry and sunny day, as cutting seed pods can be detrimental. Calla lilies grow best in full sunlight and regular watering, and are moderately drought-tolerant once established. Propagating calla lilies from seeds requires patience, as the process is longer compared to division.

Start by harvesting the seeds from the spathe, the colorful leaf-like plant. Sow one seed per 7.5cm (3 in.) pot filled with seed compost in spring, watering in and keeping at 70°F (21°C). Seedlings should emerge after a few weeks, but do not separate all the seeds.

It is best to wait until the seed pods turn brown or dry on the plant before harvesting them, as the seeds inside are mature and ready to bloom. The process of propagating calla lilies from seeds requires patience and effort, but it is a rewarding experience for those interested in gardening.

How do you start a calla lily?

Plant calla lily rhizomes in a well-drained potting mix 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost in your area. Water well and place the containers in a warm, 70-75°F location. When foliage appears, move the plants to a sunny window or place them under fluorescent lights. Plant calla lilies outdoors after the danger of frost is past, with appropriate planting times in southern Iowa, central portions, and northern counties. Before planting, harden or acclimate the calla lilies to outdoor growing conditions by placing them in a shady, protected location and gradually exposing them to longer periods of sunlight.

Can you leave calla lilies in the ground all year?

Calla lilies are winter hardy in zones 8-10, so they can be left in the ground in warm climates. If living in a colder area, dig them up before the first frost and store them over winter before replanting them next spring. Cut down the foliage and stems to about 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) and lift the rhizomes for winter storage. Label the lilies and wash and dry the tubers. Store them in a box with barely damp peat moss and store in a dark place at 50-60°F (10-15°C). Check the rhizomes during winter months to ensure they are not too moist or too dry.

Tender calla lilies in patio containers should always be brought indoors and kept dry and frost-free. Give the rhizomes a period of dormancy over winter, with little or no water, and ideally in the dark. Increase watering in spring once shoots start to appear, but never let them stand in water.

To propagate calla lilies, cut dormant rhizomes in spring, plant them indoors into containers filled with multi-purpose compost, and water sparingly until the shoots emerge. Water regularly until well established before planting outside.

Or, collect seeds in the fall and store them over winter. Sow one seed per 7. 5cm (3 in.) pot filled with seed compost in spring, water in, and keep at 70°F (21°C). Seedlings should emerge after a few weeks, but not expect calla lily flowers before two or three years.

How do you germinate lilies from seed?

Direct sowing outdoors involves planting seeds about 1/4 inch deep three months before the first frost, keeping the soil moist throughout the summer. This method has excellent germination rates, but losses can be high in the first winter after summer growth above ground.

Zip-lock baggie planting involves making the planting medium slightly wetter and placing the seeds under lights at 18°C (65°F) for five days or until the seeds start to swell up. After the five-day incubation period, lower the moisture content by adding more dry planting medium and place the baggie in a fridge set at 9°C (49°F) to 11°C (52°F). If condensation continues to form, lower the baggie’s moisture levels by adding more dry planting medium.

During the time period, check the baggies weekly for air changes and ensure mildew is not growing. Warm the seeds up at room temperatures for twelve hours and return them to the fridge every two and a half weeks. Germination should begin within thirty to 35 days, but it is important to leave them in the baggie in the fridge even after germinating.

Delayed hypogeal is the easiest method of germination, as it requires hardening off before planting. This method is ideal for bulblets with roots but no leaves, which may take four months or longer from germination.

In summary, direct sowing, zip-lock baggie planting, and delayed hypogeal are all methods for germination in plants.

Can you start calla lilies indoors?

Calla lily can be grown indoors or outdoors, either alone or in combination with other plants. It can be placed on a patio or deck for close-up viewing, near a bright window in a living room or kitchen, or in a tall vase for an elegant arrangement. Calla lilies can also be planted towards the front of a mixed border for long-lasting summer color, a semi-shaded woodland border with hostas, ferns, and astilbes, massed in a bed with groundcovers like lamium, creeping Jenny, or bugleweed, or planted on a slope with groundcovers, shrubs, and perennials for season-long color. They can also be placed along a pond, stream, or waterfall for a bold tropical display.

How long does it take to grow calla lilies from seed?

To grow a calla lily from seed, follow these steps:

1. Spread seeds on a damp paper towel and cover them. Place them in a cool location, such as a basement or cellar. Check for growth and discard any that don’t show signs of life.

2. Place two seeds per pot in a well-draining pot, keeping the soil moist. After a week, remove any seeds that haven’t grown.

3. Watch the plants for another couple of weeks and remove the weakest shoot from each pot to give energy to the stronger sprout. Once the calla lily has grown, it can be transplanted into a larger pot or outside.

Do you soak lily seeds before planting?

To germinate canna seeds, start the process at least one to two months before planting outside. Germination usually takes one to two weeks. Soak the seeds in water for at least 24 hours, using lukewarm water or a commercial medium like Jiffy Mix. Place the seeds in small depressions and cover with the mix and water. Cover the container and keep it warm indoors at a constant temperature of 70 to 75 degrees F. (21-24 C.) with a heating pad.

Scarification is another method to encourage canna seed germination by rubbing off the seed coat before planting. Continue rubbing until the endosperm becomes visible, and the seeds can be planted directly in the medium without soaking.

Do calla lilies grow better in pots or in the ground?

Calla lilies are suitable for houseplants, patios, or seasonal outdoor bedding displays. They should be planted under the soil surface with the rhizome’s eyes facing upwards. A loam-based compost like John Innes No. 2 or a good multi-purpose compost is suitable for pot planting. Plant one rhizome to an 8″ pot or three to a 16″ pot. Cover the pots with decorative stones if desired. Water freely during the summer months and feed with a fertilizer every two weeks.

Caring for calla lilies involves lifting them before frosts and storing them in trays of compost in a cool, dark, frost-free location. Do not overwater and ensure that the rhizomes are covered with decorative stones if desired. In most areas, the foliage will be affected by frost and slightly blackened.

Do calla lilies come back every year?

Calla lilies are perennial plants that bloom in zones 8-10. However, they require additional care in cooler zones to withstand winter frosts. Some horticulturists cultivate them as annuals, allowing them to flourish for a single season before they wither and die.

Do calla lilies like sun or shade?

Calla Lilies thrive in bright, indirect light, mimicking their native environment under a canopy. Too much direct sun can cause a botanical sunburn. To maintain optimal growth, observe your Calla Lily’s behavior and adjust the light exposure accordingly. As seasons change, adjust your sunlight strategy accordingly. In spring, increase light to wake your plant from its winter nap, protect it from harsh rays in summer, and consider artificial lighting in winter to keep it from dozing off. By adjusting your sunlight strategy, you can ensure your Calla Lily receives the necessary warmth and avoids the harmful effects of direct sunlight.

What month do you plant lily seeds?

Growing lilies from seed is a long-term project that involves breeding crosses during the first summer, collecting and preparing the resulting seed in winter, and sowing in March the following year. Indoor gro-lights or a heated greenhouse are essential, as only a small percentage of hybrid seed germinates directly outdoors. It takes two to five years for each seedling to evaluate the first flowers and make selections for clonal propagation. Hybrid lilies are easiest to produce between crosses of lilies of the same type, while interspecific crosses are more difficult.

To avoid cross pollination, strict sanitary conditions are necessary, including collecting pollen grains and manually fertilizing the stigma of the mother plant. A serious hybridizer keeps records of all crosses to repeat desired combinations.

To produce hybrid lilies, deadhead the remaining blooms after the earliest blooms fade and the pods swell. Pick the pods in September when they are yellow and slightly soft, but before they crack open. If heavy rain or freezing temperatures threaten, pick the upper third of the stem. Place the pods in a vase, change the water daily, and air dry on paper towels. When held to light, you should see a tiny embryo in each seed. Discard any chaff (seeds without embryos).

Are lilies hard to grow from seed?

Most lily species are easy to raise from seed, and most don’t require a glasshouse. The only special equipment needed is patience, as most take two or three years to flower. The RHS Lily Group is the best UK source of lily seed, distributing seed to its members in late winter at a nominal cost per packet. The annual list typically includes 150-170 species, varieties, and selections, as well as 150-150 lily hybrids. Commercial sources can supply a limited range of seeds of lily species and hybrids through an internet search.