How & When to Plant Calla Lily Bulbs in East Texas

Contact your local cooperative extension office to purchase a soil testing kit. Once you have the kit, follow the instructions to preform the soil test. Once you have determined the type of soil you have, contact the cooperative extension office to discuss what additives might be needed to amend your soil for calla lilies. Generally, calla lilies are not choosy about the soil but prefer a loose, well-draining soil. East Texas has a variety of soil types, from rich humus in the northern forest region to sandy soil in the south. The major soil type, though, is a sandy clay mix, and if it has sufficient sandy content for drainage, will be ideal for calla lilies. Calla lilies also like a soil that is slightly acidic, which most of East Texas soil is. After your soil test, you will discover if you need to amend your soil with compost to open it up, add sulphur to increase the acidity, or add lime to to decrease the level of acid -- as well as how much additive is required. Your local cooperative extension office is a valuable resource for gardening success.

Use a shovel to add compost to your planting area. Spread 2 to 3 inches of compost on the surface of the soil, then, with a shovel, work the compost into the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.

Dig a hole for your calla lily bulb, or tuber, that is 2 to 4 inches deep. Calla lilies need to be planted deeper than other flower bulbs. If you are planting more than one calla lily, space the bulbs 12 to 18 inches apart.

Place the calla lily bulb in the dug hole, and fill the hole with soil. Gently pat the soil down to eliminate any air pockets and to create a good contact between the soil and bulb.

Water your planted calla lily bulb after planting, then keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. East Texas has a humid, sub-tropical climate with 35 to 60 inches of rainfall annually. This is an ideal environment for your calla lilies since the plant prefers a warm, humid climate. Additional watering of established calla lily plants will only be needed during extended periods of no rain when the soil dries. Mulch around your calla lily to help keep the soil moist and weeds away. In the fall, when your calla lily begins to go into its dormant, resting stage -- usually in September or October -- reduce or stop watering completely.

Fertilize your calla lily bi-monthly once it is established, following the directions on the fertilizer package. A general, all-purpose fertilizer with lower nitrogen, like 5-10-5 or 5-10-10, will encourage flowering over foliage growth. By fertilizing your calla lily during the growing season, you will promote almost continual blooming in East Texas's warm environment.