OVERWINTER CALLA LILY BULBS - Complete Instructions on How to Save Calla Bulbs

[@HeiderosesPhotograph]

I leave my bulbs in the pot after pruning and put them in my basement and water them on and off and next spring they will come up again. I live in Zone 7. Thanks for the video.

[@plantvibrations]

Awesome! How often do you water them while in dormancy?

[@ezjay7734]

I do this same thing with my calla Lily's. Especially checking them periodically over winter. The only thing I would lean away from is throwing out soft/mushy/moldy bulbs. Quick caveat anything that's over for 50% mushy or 50% moldy is not going to come back so go ahead and throw those ones away. Anything under 50% mushy or moldy I have found you can actually save. I start by taking a very sharp knife like a box cutter. And then like a surgeon I begin to slowly cut out all of the mushy stuff or soft stuff. You may also find that the mushy area is discolored compared to the rest of the bulb. Once I have all the mushy stuff cut away I examine it to make sure that I've got all that discolor cut away and go back in with the knife as needed. And then finally I sprinkle it with a tiny tiny bit of ground cinnamon. Lots of people disagree with this method. I find that it helps to prevent molds on my Callaway bulbs. This does not work for every bulb, just it does work on the calories I found. And and I will let the bulb cure for another 3 to 5 days before placing it back into the peat moss and storing it three remainder of winter. also because I'm terrible remembering 6 to 8 weeks apart. So I just make it my beginning of the month routine and I check them every 4 weeks instead and haven't really had any issues in my call. Is come back beautiful every year and I'm able to save any bulbs that were damaged during the lifting process the previous fall when I examine them and you know cut away the mushy stuff. I hope this helps you all save a few more bulbs and grow your garden big and beautiful. Have a wonderful day!

[@plantvibrations]

Great tips! Thank you for sharing

[@Matea-ev7rq]

Can you please help me and write me how exactly you use cinnamon. I am so happy i found your comment! I bought my first lilly bulbs and those are my first bulbs ever. I planted them yesterday and one of them is squishy and i am 100% sure i can do it. Just this part with cinnamon 🤍🌹🌷🌸

[@ezjay7734]

Hi there! In this situation, with it being a squishy bulb, I would take a very sharp clean knife and cut away all the squishy, soft wet parts. Anything that looks smells feels rotten is rotten. After cutting away that and getting down to like the normal color of the bulb, I would just sprinkle the cinnamon over top of it generously to get it to sick. Or you can pour it into a bowl and tap and Pat the bulb to get the cinnamon to stick. After that I'd lay a little dry for a day, maybe two, and then immediately plant it into the ground or a pot. I recommend a pot because you can always dig the bulb up in a few days or a few weeks and check on its progress being careful not to damage any leaf or roots that may have started developing. Please note that the bulb you do this to will most likely not Bloom this year, but if you lift and replant next year or if you can winter in the ground it should Bloom for you the following. Best of luck and I hope there are lots of flowers in your future.

[@Time.for.tea.]

Very helpful info for a first time Lily gal. Thx so much!

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jessiearies1912]

Thanks for your helpful vid. I will follow your advice for my 1st time overwintering my Calla Lily plant.

[@plantvibrations]

you got it!

[@lottaboty]

I leave mine in the ground and have never had an issue in South Carolina. I direct sow my bulbs taken from the host plant and they come back bigger and more beautiful every year. I transplanted it from my previous home and it was 4 feet tall this year.

[@plantvibrations]

You are lucky your zone is warm enough!

[@vicmurai1033]

Great video, Devin. Thank so much.

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kamauwikeepa7308]

Well I never realized you could remove the top growth which was upsetting for obvious reasons. Mine over winter in my garden, boy now I'm going to top them. I assumed one had to leave them like daffodils, so here goes. Thank you.

[@plantvibrations]

By the time they’re ready for the hair cut they’ve accumulated enough sun energy

[@iowegian7496]

Thanks for the video! I'm overwintering my callas for the first time. Takes a lot less space in a box than trying to keep everything in a flower pot. Novice here for sure😅

[@plantvibrations]

Way less space!

[@joyceschwarzrock6083]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@plantvibrations]

hope it helped!

[@myragooden8667]

Thanks for the info it is right on time .

[@plantvibrations]

Love hearing ot

[@tressanallenmartin9336]

Always enjoy your videos .. thx much

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for watching :)

[@ChandraStebbins]

I have never dug up my callas and they come back each year. We get into negative temps each winter. They do take longer to show their sprouts in the Spring than some other plants but they are beautiful. Mine is 4ish years old.

[@plantvibrations]

What zone are you in?

[@ChandraStebbins]

@@plantvibrations I am in Kansas Zone 6 I think

[@SewWhittle]

Got a Calla for Mother’s Day and have kept it inside in the pot. The leaves turned yellow so I cut down to about 3”. Hoping to keep it alive over winter (in a pot). Should I follow these instructions? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@plantvibrations]

You can either leave it in the pot like that or dig it up like I showed. I definitely recommended placing it outside next summer for better growth

[@lucynagajda8990]

You are my dream - how I would like my son to be a little interested in such things. I love having a vegetable garden at home, flowers also grow outside - I cut some and put them in vases. I wish you good luck in everything you do.😁🌺🪴

[@plantvibrations]

So nice of you to say! Just keep gifting him plants and eventually Mother Nature will use her magic

[@vincentdinapoli9399]

Thank you for the lesson!

[@catherinejones6537]

Thx love your videos

[@plantvibrations]

Glad you like them!

[@paulthomas963]

Last year Zone 5 had overnight 40 degree weather in flipping AUGUST. I think I'm going to have to watch mine very carefully and bring them inside overnight a lot.

[@plantvibrations]

Oh dang yes you will

[@suzannahdarcy6903]

Wow, that's a lot of work. What zone is this for? I'm in zone 8 and I've always just left my calla lilies in the ground with a nice layer of leaves and pine boughs on top of them

[@plantvibrations]

Im in zone 6b. and yeah it is a lot of work, i wish i could just leave mine outside like you!

[@lifespanwellnessbeauty-60i64]

I live in Michigan. I'm going to try this method. But also I've had great success at taking the bulbs out, cleaning the dirt off and storing them in brown paper bags in my basement.

[@Time.for.tea.]

“First thing we’re gonna do is gently take them out of the pot,’” as he grunts and pounds and rolls the pot, muttering come on you darn stubborn lily. LOL!

[@plantvibrations]

Lolol

[@carolinependleton8445]

Great video thankyou

[@plantvibrations]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johanas937]

Excellent tips

[@johanas937]

I finally found help here how to winterize Kali bulbs what have been growing in pots! Thanks

[@plantvibrations]

Happy to hear that!!

[@2brownbraids]

Thank you.

[@plantvibrations]

You're welcome!

[@geraldmurphy8112]

Thankyou that was helpful.

[@plantvibrations]

:)

[@jeeprt]

Just wanted to say that when spritzing a dry bulb to use a VERY slight amount of water (a quick mist), otherwise they will start to sprout in the box.

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for adding in your experience

[@lifespanwellnessbeauty-60i64]

The tip on drying the bulbs is one I will try.👍

[@plantvibrations]

You should!

[@gazmatazz3002]

Ty

[@plantvibrations]

You bet

[@Garnetspagrud]

Hi Thanks for the info! What is the rough location of your garden? Thanks

[@plantvibrations]

Outside Philadelphia

[@Garnetspagrud]

@@plantvibrations thanks Devin It’s always nice to have a reference point. I’m not far - in the poconos - colder zone 5

[@lifespanwellnessbeauty-60i64]

Thanks for the helpful video. What zone is Michigan?

[@plantvibrations]

Google search for usda zone map. Michigan has a few different zones

[@lifespanwellnessbeauty-60i64]

@@plantvibrations Thanks!!👍

[@lifespanwellnessbeauty-60i64]

@@plantvibrations We're in 4,5, and 6.

[@marjanwardaki8751]

Do you recommend doing this in zone 10b also? I got mine potted outside and since July their leaves are in full bloom (no flower yet) but they look beautiful.

[@plantvibrations]

I would just leave yours outside all winter long

[@marjanwardaki8751]

@@plantvibrations thank you Devin!!

[@vicmurai1033]

Devin, will all the planted bulbs flower the following year after they are planted in the garden or will some require more than one year to flower in the garden? I live in zone 3 Canada,Thanks.

[@plantvibrations]

In zone three you will need to dig them up for the winter! They should all flower the first year

[@amandaseekamp-hi6io]

My area(4b) is getting into the 50s at night. Can i still cure in this temp? If not, can i do it inside? Thanks! Chekcing out your growing video next for spring time!

[@plantvibrations]

Yes you can up until the low forties

[@patriciadosch4386]

If I leave my calla bulbs in the pot cut off the dead foliage and keep the pot in my basement over winter, do I need to do anything else for them? Will they just start regrouping in the spring?

[@plantvibrations]

Nope that’s all you’ll need to do!

[@rb5402]

thank you for your videos this video has made me think to store my amaryllis my question is do I water before storing or best to store it dry?

[@plantvibrations]

Just let them dry out

[@onetwocue]

Dont you want the tuber to absorb the left over nutrients that green leaves contain before cutting them off?

[@OriginalMariAnnaWolf]

I like to overwinter when will take all sun's energy into the bulb, like that be healthiest n strongest. Basically, when the leaves can't take nomore or as good. I just wanna make sure got all, so till their crunchy dry/brown.

[@plantvibrations]

👍

[@carolmillett4677]

Can you winterized your bulbs in shavings in a cool room

[@plantvibrations]

Yes absolutely

[@Gretagarbo830]

I'm in Zone 8 and just bought a Cala from Home Depot (October 2023) Should I plant it in the ground now and then let it go dormant for next year??

[@plantvibrations]

I would plant it now

[@carrieheater8910]

Like Cheryl’s comments I have a pot of Calla that don’t bloom. I’ve brought the pot inside overwinter the last two years. How much do you water a dormant pot? Mine tend to start growing again in Feb as I just have an apartment with normal temps rather than a chilly garage. If I need to repot them more shallow, should I do now or next spring?

[@plantvibrations]

The best to do is allow them to regrow as they do naturally, and then when the warmth and linger days start, cut it back and let it start over. Repotting should be done when you cut them back in the spring. They can stay pretty dry, water about once a month

[@darlenetuttle2421]

If you over winter in the pot do you water during the winter months? Is nearly darkness ok?

[@plantvibrations]

Maybe water once every 6 weeks lightly

[@adelevalenti2188]

I have a pot of callas grown from seeds. This is the first year so I did not get any blooms, My question is, how do I winterize this. Do I handle it same way as my bulbs? Will the first year plant have the bulb?

[@plantvibrations]

Yes they should be handled the same way. As you dig them you will find the bulbsp

[@adelevalenti2188]

@@plantvibrations thanks so much. I appreciate your quick response. Have a great day.

[@BBQNBLUES]

Devin; I used to store Caladium bulbs in paper bags after dusting with Sulphur powder. Never had any rot. Re: letting bulbs air dry B4 storing.. If I placed bulbs on a windowsill, outdoors.. the Squirrels would think I'm providing a buffet.

[@plantvibrations]

Thankfully my squirrel friends didn’t find my stash!

[@OriginalMariAnnaWolf]

Question! Can I chop the bulb to get more? I got more smaller pots, coz don't wanna have the bulb to be too tight one day.

[@plantvibrations]

They can produce pups over time that can be propagated off

[@karenmcdoanld8805]

I see you have orchids on the windowsill, do you have a video on them too? I have a question I was watching someone that didn't speak English and had to read along with the video. He said to cut off the spent blooms and then put them in a glass of water covered with a bag and in a dark place. I did now some of them have sprouted little leaves, but I don't know what to do next. Do you have an answer to that?

[@plantvibrations]

Wait till they have roots and then plant them up!

[@karenmcdoanld8805]

@@plantvibrations Thank you!

[@bonniemuirtyson3964]

Were these canna s or callas? I live in Kansas City MO and I leave both of these lilies in the ground through the winter. They come back in the spring. Cannas are planted against my house so they are warmer. No need to bring either of them in for winter.

[@plantvibrations]

These are calla Lily! That’s awesome yours overwinter so easily

[@JohnHeng-g4v]

I live in Sydney. We're in zone 10b. I wonder if I need to dig them up too. We have mild winter

[@plantvibrations]

You should be fine leaving them in the ground

[@JohnHeng-g4v]

@@plantvibrations thank you very much

[@theIrinaCia]

I have a pot of calla lily in my apartment that doesn’t bloom. It’s been 3 years since i got it and after the first season it never blooms anymore, i just get a few leafs. In season i fertilized it hoping it will give it a boost but no difference:( I don’t understand what am I supposed to do for it.

[@plantvibrations]

do you place it outside in the summer? it really needs the summer weather to induce flower formation

[@karenmcdoanld8805]

I went out to look at my calla lilies which are not ready to cut back and in the blooms were these green cluster of little ball what are they and can you plant them.

[@plantvibrations]

Sounds like they’re making seeds!

[@karenmcdoanld8805]

@@plantvibrations Thank you so much for getting back to me so Quick!! What do I do with them? Wait till they get brown pick them now?

[@karenmcdoanld8805]

@@plantvibrations Do I just let them go to make seeds? I was going to dig them out soon .

[@reginavanzuiden3737]

Can they be stored without the pete?

[@plantvibrations]

Yes there are a few time tested method for overwintering them

[@bz2297]

I am in Ontario and the winters get very cold Can I just move the pot inside to my basement and leave it as is after cutting back the stems and leaves Currently they are in the garage which is attached to the house so its warmer than being outside and the temp in the garage now is 12 C As it gets colder the garage temp drops to 0 or just above so not sure if I can just leave them in the garage or take the bulbs out and store in my basement

[@plantvibrations]

They should be fine in the garage as long as there is no moisture surrounding the bulb as that can cause it to rot

[@bz2297]

Thanks for the response So just to be clear I can leave them in the pot in the soil in the garage

[@thelavalab8905]

If You Leave Them In The Pot... Do you just let it stay completely dry all winter or water them occasionally? #TheLavaLab™

[@plantvibrations]

I do not water them. In my experience keeping them dry has betters results than them potentially rotting from moisture

[@thelavalab8905]

@@plantvibrations So I should just bring the pots inside and let them sit dry until I decide to place them outside? Thanks for your help is TRULY appreciated! #TheLavaLab™

[@nailsmama]

Will this same technique work for canna?

[@plantvibrations]

Yep! I also have a canna overwintering video

[@nailsmama]

@@plantvibrations thanks! It popped up in my feed right after I watched this one lol! Do you think if I were to put my cannas in the ground they would survive the winter? I'm in Kansas City (not sure what zone that is) thanks again for your amazing content!

[@plantvibrations]

@@nailsmama you could try! just cover it with like six inches of mulch for the winter season and remove in the spring

[@nailsmama]

@@plantvibrations ok I will try that thanks!

[@suewilkinson910]

What's the purpose of the peat moss? We don't get much peat product in the UK.

[@plantvibrations]

Keeps the moisture level correct. There are alternatives such as perlite

[@suewilkinson910]

@@plantvibrations Thanks! I was wondering about Perlite. I have that and use it for other growing. I'll use that for my lilies.

[@sherylptccm6122]

Any difference in process if bulbs did not bloom? Lots of leaves. Only 2 of my Q/R bulbs had a flower. Thanks.

[@plantvibrations]

Same process. Perhaps they were planted too deeply

[@marizkae3446]

My problem is my calla lily it won’t bloom. What should I do To have them bloom again ?

[@plantvibrations]

Is it outside and getting at least morning sunlight?

[@Petlover10000]

I didn't know I have to take the bulbs out and clean it, I just left it in the pot and put it in the basement. No wonder there is no flowers every year, all it has just the foliage but flowers.

[@plantvibrations]

Try it this way next year

[@highpriestesstea8796]

I didn’t cut my collage down but I left it in the pot and now the flowers and leaves are yellow dried and sad, should I just leave it till spring or is it dead, it’s completely dried atm

[@plantvibrations]

Leave till spring then cut back and water them once they’re outside

[@highpriestesstea8796]

@@plantvibrations thanks so much, you have no idea how long I have been looking for a video w this much detail. For some reason no one I’ve seen has posted about both sets of wintering. Your a superhero in my book 🥹

[@plantvibrations]

@@highpriestesstea8796 hehe well i am happy to help! perhaps you'll find another interesting video on my channel! i try to include as much detail as possible

[@myriamsahl1475]

Vous êtes trop long on ne vois pas les fleurs 😂

[@plantvibrations]

Probablement