AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.
Experience I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.
Question I am attempting to grow calillies in a pot for the first time in coastal north carolina without any success. There are plenty of green leaves but no buds or flowers. The pot is placed on the porch were it gets only morning sun for about 2-3 hours. What am I doing wrong?
Answer Hi Bill,
Thanx for your question. I believe you are referring to calla lilies which really aren't lilies but have been called that for a long time. They're actually a member of the arum family. Calla lilies will bloom in the shade. But a little more sun might be helpful. If you're putting a high nitrogen fertilizer on them, I'd stop that as this will cause green growth with no bloom. You're in NC so your weather conditions are nice and warm right now so that shouldn't be a problem. I think your plant is just slow in blooming. I believe it will bloom in a couple of weeks as long as you are not feeding it a high nitrogen fertilizer. In fact, if you are feeding, I would completely stop. The plant will bloom. A good amount of morning and afternoon sun is good for the plant but protect it from the hot, afternoon sun. I hope this helps.
Tom
