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Wintering Calla lily


Question
I live in Saskatchewan, Canada.  I planted and was hugely successful with 4 calla lilies.  I would really like them to survive but am not sure how to winter them.

Can I did them up, put them in a planter in the house through the winter or treat them geraniums and store the bulbs in cool, dry place, or other options????

Answer
Because they are so sensitive to frost, Canadian Callas must be dug and stored someplace safe for the Winter.  Pick a cool, dry place without lights.  Brown Paper Bags are IN, plastic Bags and Containers are OUT.

Cut the Calla down to the Soil surface and carefully dig, loosening Soil, until the Bulb lifts up easily.  Dust off excess Soil, and air dry.  You can keep the Bulb, thus prepared, someplace cool and dark.

The Dutch Gardens website posts the simple tips for keeping Callas for Winter:

www.dutchgardens.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DutchGardens-Site/default/Link-Page?id=5325&SC=

They advise, 'In colder areas, lift the rhizomes after first frost, clean off excess Soil, let dry out of the direct Sun for a few days, then store in a dry location that remains between 50 and 60 degrees F.'

My words almost exactly.

You can replant in the Spring when danger of frost has passed.

I should warn you that overwintering in general is a very tricky thing.  Even with your best shot, expect to be discouraged at least a few seasons over one problem or another.  Like anything else, practice makes perfect.  If you can keep at it, these overwintering rituals will be your routine in a few short years, with Spring smiles to follow.

Good luck and let me know if you need clarification on any of the above.

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