How to Spot a Bad Calla Lily Bulb

Calla lilies have underground root stems called rhizomes, which are often classified under a broad category of similar structures called "bulbs." Calla lilies are tropical plants so they can't survive winters in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 7b and below. In those climates, the bulbs need to be dug up and stored in a cool -- but not freezing -- location for the winter. This is the perfect opportunity to spot bad bulbs and discard them or remove the bad spots.

Utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Squeeze the bulbs carefully. If you feel any soft spots, cut them off with a utility knife, leaving the healthy section with at least one eye. Plant or store the bulbs three or four days after the wounds heal.
- 2
  Examine the bulbs for dark spots or what appears to be a wound. It may be diseased or have succumbed to a fungus or bacteria soft rot, which is more evident on the inside of the bulb. Cut open the bulb to see if it's rotting. If it is, discard the bulb and any others that have a similar appearance.
- 3
  Look at the bulbs to see if they appear rotten or diseased. Throw them out if you can't cut off a section. If they are shriveled and smaller than the rest, they may have dried out and may not bloom as much (or at all) as plump, healthy-looking bulbs. If you decide to keep these dry bulbs, plant them in the back of the garden.

How to Plant Potted Tulips

Diseases in Gladiolus Bulbs

Bulbs