Arum lily 'Captain Palermo' Zantedeschia 'Captain Palermo' (PBR) (Captain Series)
ABOUT
'Captain Palermo' is a rhizomatous perennial, to about 60cm tall, forming upright clumps of broadly lance-shaped, dark green leaves with small white spots and streaks. Dark purple flowers are produced in summer
About this plant
NamesFamily
Araceae
Synonyms
Captain Palermo Calla Lily, Captain Palermo Arum Lily
Common names
Zantedeschia 'Captain Palermo'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Decorative Flowers: Zantedeschia Captain Palermo, commonly known as Calla Lily, produces striking trumpet-shaped flowers that add a vibrant splash of color to any garden or floral arrangement.
- Long Blooming Period: This variety typically has a long flowering period that extends throughout the spring and summer, providing an extended display of beauty.
- Easy to Grow: Calla Lilies are relatively easy to grow, making them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Container Gardening: The plant is suitable for container gardening, allowing it to be displayed on patios, balconies, or indoors.
- Attracts Pollinators: The blossoms can attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies to your garden.
- Versatile Plant: The Calla Lily is versatile and can be used in a variety of landscape designs, from formal to naturalistic settings.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, Calla Lilies have moderate drought tolerance, reducing the need for constant watering.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Prop: The striking appearance of the calla lily, with its bold colors and elegant shape, makes it a popular choice for photographers seeking a beautiful natural element in their still life compositions.
- Art Inspiration: Calla lilies have a unique form that has inspired artists and sculptors to incorporate their shape into various works of art.
- Event Theming: Calla lilies can provide a sophisticated theme for special events like gala dinners or corporate functions, contributing to the decor through their distinctive form and color.
- Eco-Friendly Confetti: Dried calla lily petals can be used as biodegradable confetti for weddings or celebratory events, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional paper or plastic confetti.
- Fabric Printing Patterns: The silhouette of the calla lily can be used in the design of custom fabrics for fashion or home decor, offering a floral touch to textiles.
- Edible Garnish: In some cultures, calla lily flowers are used as a delicate, edible garnish on food, though only when confirmed to be safe and non-toxic.
- Symbolic Gift: With its various symbolisms, such as purity and rebirth, a calla lily can be a meaningful gift for significant personal milestones like graduations or new beginnings.
- Ice Sculpture Model: The elegant form of the calla lily can be replicated in ice, making it a popular choice for ice sculptures at weddings or high-end events.
- Culinary Inspiration: The trumpet shape of the calla lily can inspire pastry chefs and bakers to create desserts and pastries that mimic its unique form.
- Craft Projects: Calla lilies can be used in a variety of craft projects, including making paper flowers or incorporating them into homemade wreaths for decoration.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Calla Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Calla Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: Calla lilies, as the common name for Zantedeschia, often symbolize purity due to their white color, which is associated with innocence and chasteness.
- Beauty: The elegant and graceful shape of the calla lily flower is emblematic of beauty and sophistication.
- Faith and holiness: In Christian symbolism, the calla lily has been associated with faith and the Holy Virgin due to its trumpet-like shape representing the heralding of important messages and its purity.
- Marriage and devotion: Calla lilies are commonly used in wedding bouquets and decorations, symbolizing the devotion and unity between the married couple.
- Rebirth and resurrection: The calla lily's perennial nature and its ability to bloom year after year make it a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and the resurrection in religious contexts.
WaterCalla Lilies should be watered thoroughly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Typically, watering once a week with about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water, depending on the size of the plant and the environmental conditions, should be sufficient. It's important to avoid overwatering, as Calla Lilies do not like to sit in waterlogged soil. During their dormant period in the winter, reduce watering to prevent the tubers from rotting.
LightCalla Lilies prefer bright, indirect sunlight. They thrive in a spot that receives partial shade, as too much direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. Ideally, place them where they can receive morning sun and afternoon shade, ensuring they get the light they need without being exposed to harsh midday rays.
TemperatureCalla Lilies are sensitive to extreme temperatures and prefer a temperate range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They should not be exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as cold can damage the plant. Meanwhile, too much heat can also stress them, so maintaining a consistent, mild temperature is ideal.
PruningPruning Calla Lilies involves removing dead or yellowing leaves and spent blossoms to encourage new growth and to maintain a tidy appearance. The best time for pruning them is typically after blooming, when leaves begin to fade. Pruning can be done every few weeks during the growing season to keep the plant healthy and attractive.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCalla Lily 'Captain Palermo' thrives in a well-draining, rich organic soil mix with a pH of 5.5-6.5. A mix composed of peat, perlite, and compost is ideal for ensuring adequate moisture retention and aeration.
RepottingCalla Lily 'Captain Palermo' should generally be repotted every two to three years or when it outgrows its current pot, to allow enough space for the rhizomes to spread and encourage more growth.
Humidity & MistingCalla Lily 'Captain Palermo' prefers high humidity levels, ideally between 60-70%, to thrive and produce its vibrant blooms.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light, keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleZantedeschia 'Captain Palermo', commonly known as Calla Lily, starts its life as a rhizome, a type of underground stem that stores nutrients. In spring, the rhizome sprouts stems and leaves, followed by the distinctive funnel-shaped flowers, which come in a variety of colors, often with a spadix at the center. After blooming, which can last several weeks, the plant enters a period of seed production, if pollinators have been successful; otherwise, the flower wilts and the plant focuses on energy storage in the rhizome. Following the flowering and potential seed-setting phase, the leaves yellow and the above-ground parts of the plant die back as it enters dormancy, usually triggered by cooler temperatures and shorter daylight periods in the fall. The plant remains dormant throughout the winter, conserving energy within the rhizome. When temperatures rise again in spring, the cycle begins anew with the rhizome sprouting fresh growth, restarting the life cycle of the Calla Lily.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Zantedeschia 'Captain Palermo', commonly known as Captain Palermo calla lily, is typically propagated by division, which is the most popular and effective method for this plant. The ideal time for dividing calla lilies is when they are dormant, which usually occurs in late autumn or early winter, depending on the local climate. To propagate, carefully lift the rhizomes from the soil after the foliage has died back, using a spade or garden fork. Gently clean the rhizomes and divide them into sections, each with at least one growth node or "eye." These sections can then be replanted at a depth of around 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) in well-draining soil. It's important to provide consistent moisture and avoid waterlogging to ensure successful growth.
