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**** The Gardener's Forum ****]
Repotting Calla Lilies, African Violets,
and other House Plants
March 8, 1998
Vallery Dietrich wrote:
I received a beautiful Cala Lily from a friend. Yellow blooms. I have only
had it for about two weeks. It is still thriving with new leaves forming.
However, it is twice as tall as the container and the stems near the soil
are turning yellow. Do I repot and how? Do I cut the blooms back at any
time?
I have an African Violet that I am sure needs repotting. The roots are coming
above the soil. I am reluctant to repot/divide because I have killed plants
before. Help!
Thanks Vallery Dietrich, Outer Banks, NC
If your lily has become root bound, it is easy enough to move it to the next
larger size pot by simply removing it from its pot and potting it up. Unlike
many plants it is not necessary to loosen or disturb the roots, just place
it in the pot and add sufficient soil to fill it to within 3/4 of an inch
from the rim. When they are grown in pots Calla lilies (Zantedeschia
species) should be kept constantly wet and should be given a weak solution
of liquid plant food every 3 weeks while they are showing signs of new
growth. Grow them in a sunny window at a temperature of about 70 degrees
F. Remove the flowers when they begin to fade. When the plant has finished
blooming, allow the foliage to mature and gradually reduce watering until
the leaves have all died back. Allow the tubers to rest for two or three
months in the dry pot. The tubers of the yellow calla lily (Zantedeschia
elliottiana) should be left exposed in a warm, dry room for 3-4 weeks.
After the ripening period, the tubers can again be repotted in fresh soil,
and the process begun again. Water sparingly until the new growth is well
above the surface of the soil, then keep the soil wet again. Do not feed
until the plant has again become root bound. The ripened tubers can also
be planted outside once the temperatures and soil have warmed in the spring,
but because they are frost tender, they will have to be dug up in the fall.
When repotting houseplants such as your African violet (Saintpaulia species) it
is best to only increase the pot size by an inch or so. Always use a good
commercial potting soil rather than dirt out of the garden to prevent insects
and disease. Remove the plant from its old pot and use your fingers to gently
loosen the outer roots from the root ball. Place enough soil in the bottom
of the pot to bring the plant up to its original soil line, and then add the
remaining soil to fill the pot to within 3/4 of an inch from the rim of the
pot. Water it thoroughly so that the soil fills in any air space around the
plant, after which you may have to add a little more soil. Do not fertilize
the plant until it shows signs of renewed growth. When you are working with
African violets use care not to touch the stems more than necessary, because
they are by far more succeptable to damage than either the leaves or roots.
When feeding African violets, always use a fertilizer which is specifically
formulated for them. If it is at all possible violets should be watered from
the bottom, by soaking, because they are prone to crown rot.
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