Calla Ethiopian: growing and grooming

In lovers of indoor flowers largePopular is the calla Ethiopian. A plant from the family of aroids is a relative of the marshworm of the marsh and calamus. In nature there are up to 6 different species. All of them are very attractive and have unusual qualities.

Description

The homeland of these calls is South Africa. Magnificent flowers are a real decoration of apartments, greenhouses, look great in bouquets. The plant is large, with wide juicy and shiny leaves, which have a cordate shape and a bright green color. They are located on long basal petioles and collected in rosettes. The original structure is different flower itself. It is formed at the end of the towering arrow and represents a yellow inflorescence-cob, wrapped in a white veil. Its smell is very weak and resembles vanilla.

Flowering usually begins in the second halfwinter and lasts for 1.5-2 months. Under different names is known calla Ethiopian - zandedeskiya, rishardiya, calla. A tuberous rhizome forms every year numerous offspring, which must be removed so that they do not delay flowering.

Growing conditions

The best callas feel themselves in spacious andbright room. Under conditions that are as close to natural as possible, the plant will enjoy its beauty for a long time. The container for these colors needs a volume, with a sufficiently deep tray. The sun rays of the Calla Ethiopian are not afraid, but it must be protected from drafts. It is very important to observe the basic rules of growing - maintaining the necessary temperature, lighting, humidity, timely feeding.

Ground requirements

In natural conditions callas preferwet swampy terrain. This must be taken into account when preparing the soil mixture for planting, adding river silt into it and placing a deep pan under the pot (it should contain a layer of water not less than 5 cm). If you count on the perennial content of the plant, it is necessary that the substrate be a weakly acidic, rich nutrient. In its composition must be present clay-turf and peat land, humus, sand (all in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 0.5). Very good, if there is a possibility to add a little marshy substrate or river silt. The Ethiopian house calla grows well and in pure peat. Some growers use manure or compost to prepare the soil mixture.

Landing

In March, they prepare spacious pots - for 1 tuberthe capacity must be at least 3 liters. In them, pour the soil mixture with the addition of superphosphate (1 tablespoon for every 3 liters of substrate). A drainage layer must necessarily be placed on the bottom.

The tubers intended for planting must behealthy. This is evidenced by their elasticity, light yellow color and the presence of live apical buds. Overdried gray tubers with wrinkled skin are not suitable. Existing parts of rot or build-up are carefully scraped with a sharp knife.

Before planting, certainpreparatory work. For 2-3 weeks the tubers are transferred to a warm place with good lighting. Then lower for 15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, then dry it. This will help protect flowers from decay and defeat by pests, which are often affected by Ethiopian calla.

Plant tubers shallowly - a maximum of 10 cm - and a little moisturize. Pots are placed where there is heat and there are no drafts.

Watering

In the first 2 weeks in a strong moisturizing plantdoes not need. Later they proceed to abundant watering. Water is used soft, settled. In the flowering period, additional moistening is required, so the zandedeski sprinkle spray from the spray gun, bathe in the shower. It is necessary to monitor and ensure that the water is always in the pan.

For a native of tropical Africa, the humidity inthe room must be at least 55%. If this condition is met, not only the large flowers, but also the beautiful greenery will please the calla Ethiopian. Care of the plant involves abundant watering only during the development of leaves and flowering. From the moment when the period of rest comes, they are reduced, then stop at all for 1.5-2 months and gradually resume again. This phase in the development of the plant lasts, usually from autumn to February.

Temperature and Lighting

It is desirable that the room for growing callaswas bright and spacious. Direct sunlight is harmful to plants. It is better if the light is slightly scattered. A pot with a flower can be placed on the north or east window. Calla Ethiopian white grows well under artificial lighting, the main thing is that it should be properly selected, otherwise the plant may not blossom. The light day should last 10-12 hours.

An important role is played by the temperature in the room, wheregrowing zandedeskiya. It can fluctuate depending on the phase of calla development. During flowering it is necessary to maintain the temperature within 15-18 ° C. Its increase even by 2 degrees will lead to a decrease in the quality of flowers. During the rest period it is recommended to clean the calla in the room, where from 8 to 10 ° C of heat.

Additional fertilizing

Fertilizers begin to be introduced whenthe first leaves appear. Combine both root and foliar top dressing. Mineral and organic fertilizers are used on average 2 times a month. Initially, at the stage of plant development, it is mainly nitrogen fertilizers. During the flowering period, more phosphorus and potassium are needed. It is possible to use conventional complex fertilizers for indoor plants containing these elements. The longer and more beautiful flowering depends more on them. Kalla Ethiopian her appearance signals a lack of a nutrient. With a lack of nitrogen, the leaves fade, losing their gloss. The lack of potassium is expressed in the elevation of their pointed tips to the top.

Performing sheet feeding is very important todroplets of solution did not fall on the white flower cover. This can lead to a loss of its decorativeness. Periodically replacing the top layer of the substrate, you can do without transplanting the plant. At a time when Ethiopian calla blossoms, home care allows for the addition of tea leaves, eggshells, fruit peels.

Care of the plant during the rest period

After flowering, the growth of callaSuspended, but the roots continue to develop. This period lasts usually from May to July. Until autumn, the plant can be placed on a balcony or loggia, where piercing winds do not penetrate and there is an opportunity to hide from the sun. Neither irrigation, nor fertilizing at this time do not.

You can transfer the callas to a state of deep peace, removing the leaves completely and placing them in a refrigerator, cellar or any other place where the temperature is between 3-5 ° C.

Reproduction

It can be produced both by offspring andseeds. The first method is much simpler, that's why it is most often used by flower growers. Offsprings are small nodules formed around the main in large numbers (sometimes there are up to 25 of them). They have to be removed in any case, so as not to delay the development of the plant. The tubers are separated neatly so as not to damage the rootlets on them, and they are planted in prepared containers filled with a substrate. It is obtained by mixing 2 parts of turf ground and one by one - peat, sheet and sand. Then the pots are put in a room with a temperature of + 12-16 ° C and a humidity of at least 80%. Must be good lighting, because otherwise the plants are stretched, the leaves lose their bright color, and the quality of flowering in the future can suffer.

To increase the amount of planting materialoffspring can be divided in half in such a way that on each one there are at least one kidney. Place the fault with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or sprinkle with charcoal.

The calla of Ethiopia multiplies and with the help of seeds. This method is used mainly by breeders, since it allows preserving varietal characteristics of the plant. Only fresh seeds are taken for planting. They are soaked for 6 hours in a special solution that stimulates development. After that, spread on a damp cloth, covering the top with its other end, and for 7 days put in a warm place. As soon as the seeds germinate, they are sown in the ground. They are germinated at a temperature of 20 ° C. Appeared entries dive on individual tanks.

Diseases and pests

Primarily fungal and infectiousEthiopian callas suffer from diseases. Planting and care, conducted without observing the rules of agricultural technology, are the main reasons for their occurrence. Overmoistening of the soil, excess nitrogenous fertilizers usually lead to the defeat of the plant fungus. At the first signs of this, it is necessary to stop watering, replace the soil and treat the flower with fungicides.

The most important thing is to prevent such diseases,t. To. To get rid of some of them it is very difficult. Prevention is to disinfect tubers, remove parts of the plant with the slightest signs of the disease.

Of insect pests for callas the largestThe danger is spider mites and aphids. To combat them, it is recommended to spray the plant with special preparations ("Fitoverm", "Vertimec") and soap solution.

With proper care of a real home decorationcan become a calla Ethiopian. Photos of these amazing colors are confirmed by the fact that, with very little effort, you can grow such beauty in your home.