Kalla Ethiopian: growing and grooming

In lovers of indoor flowers, the calla Ethiopian is very popular. 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 are assembled into rosettes. The flower itself is the original structure. 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 half of winter and lasts for 1.5-2 months. Under different names is known calla Ethiopian - zandedeskiya, rishardiya, calla. The tuberous rhizome forms numerous siblings every year, which must be removed so that they do not delay flowering.

Growth conditions

The best callas feel themselves in a spacious and bright room. Under conditions that are as close to natural as possible, the plant will enjoy its beauty for a long time. A container for these colors needs a volume, with a sufficiently deep pallet. The sun rays of the calla of the Ethiopian are not afraid, but they 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 prefer wet wetlands. This must be taken into account when preparing soil mix 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 are counting 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 you can 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, spacious pots are prepared - for 1 tuber the capacity should 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.

Tubers intended for planting should be healthy. 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 decay or build-up are carefully scraped with a sharp knife.

Before planting, some preparatory work is carried out. For 2-3 weeks the tubers are transferred to a warm place with good lighting. Then lower it 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 the calla Ethiopian.

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

Watering

In the first 2 weeks in a strong moisturizing the plant does not need. Later they switch to abundant watering. Water is used soft, settled. In the flowering period, additional moistening is required, so the zandedeski sprinkles 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 in the room should be at least 55%. If this condition is observed, not only large flowers, but also 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 plant development lasts, as a rule, from autumn to February.

Temperature and Lighting

It is desirable that the premises for growing callas be bright and spacious. Direct sunlight is harmful to the plant. It is better if the light is slightly scattered. A pot with a flower can be placed on the north or east window. Kalla 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 where the zandedeska grows. 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 of even 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.

Top dressing

Fertilizers begin to make when the 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. You can use the usual complex fertilizers for indoor plants that contain these elements. The longer and more beautiful flowering depends to a greater extent on them. Kalla Ethiopian her appearance indicates 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.

Carrying out sheet feeding is very important, so that the droplets of the solution do not fall on the white flower coverlet. 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

At the end of flowering the growth of calla is suspended, 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, completely removing the leaves 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 and seeds. 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 roots 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 may suffer.

To increase the amount of planting material, the offspring can be divided in half so that at least one kidney remains on each. The fracture site is treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or sprinkled 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

Mostly fungal and infectious diseases suffer from Ethiopian callas. 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 plant damage by the fungus. At the first sign 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, since getting rid of some of them can be 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 most dangerous is the spider mite and aphids. To combat them, it is recommended to spray the plant with special preparations ("Fitoverm", "Vertimec") and soap solution.

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