Zantedeschia 'Captain Brunello' – Captain Brunello Calla Lily

Bring a touch of incandescent warmth to your decor with the 'Captain Brunello' Calla Lily, a prestigious variety from the Captain series renowned for its unique burnt orange hue. Its rich tangerine-orange blooms catch the light and seem to radiate above lush green foliage delicately speckled with white. With its sturdy stems and architectural silhouette, this Calla is the ideal choice for those seeking exotic elegance and a bold colour presence in their summer containers or garden beds.

Characteristics

• Foliage : Arrow-shaped leaves of a rich green, dappled with elegant silver translucent spots. Deciduous (rhizomes must be overwintered).
• Flowers : Elegant spathes of a bright, warm orange, deepening slightly toward a copper tone as they age. Exceptionally rigid stems ensure an impeccable upright habit.
• Light Requirements : Prefers full sun for the most intense flower coloration but tolerates partial shade.
• Habit : Upright, stately, and compact.
• Growth : Moderate growth rate, reaching approximately 45 to 60 cm in height.
• Soil : Requires fertile soil, rich in organic matter, and providing excellent drainage.
• Temperature : Hardiness zone 9 (frost-sensitive; treated as a tender bulb).
• Resistance : Good heat resistance and low susceptibility to fungal diseases if the soil is not waterlogged.

Utilization

• Types of Use : Majestic in containers (focal point pot), perfect in planters on a sunny terrace, or integrated into a bed of tropical annual flowers.
• Decorative Advantages : Its vibrant orange colour creates dynamic contrasts with blue flowers or purple foliage. Excellent as a cut flower.

Maintenance

• Watering : Water regularly to maintain consistent soil moisture, while avoiding excess stagnant water.
• Fertilization : Fertilize every two weeks with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer (such as 15-30-15) throughout the blooming period.
• Pruning : Remove spent blooms by cutting the stem cleanly at the base to stimulate the emergence of new buds.
• Planting : Plant rhizomes 10 cm deep once the soil is well-warmed and all risk of soil frost has passed.
• Winter Protection : Dig up rhizomes in the fall before the ground freezes, clean them, and store in a cool (10°C), dry place until spring.