Question
QUESTION: I just received a calla lily plant for mothers day..It says picasso on it.. Now it is in an ugly planter. I would like to transplant it to a nicer one and keep it on my porch. Is that a problem ? I live in NE PA. Can i plant it in yard?

ANSWER: Hi Rhonda,
Thanx for your question.  The plant will go dormant soon.  Wait for it to finish blooming and then it will start to die back.  Keep watering it enough to keep it from drying out completely.  When the foliage has withered, transfer it to the desired planter and keep this in a cool, dry, dark place for about 3 months and the plant will begin to emerge again.  You can plant it out in the yard but it will need to be lifted in the fall or it will not survive your cold winter.  I hope this helps.
Tom

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QUESTION: Thank you that was very helpful.. Now.. I read alot about putting plants in a cool dark place for months.. I did this for first time with my poinsettias.. So we will see, Now for the question.. I have them in my cellar which stays the same temp all year, but when it says dark. does it mean all the time.. Because it is my cellar which is my laundry area so i do turn on the lights.. Does it have to be completely dark all the time ???

Answer
Hi Rhonda,
Thanx for the additional information.  For growing poinsettias and if you expect them to return to the beauty you saw when you first received them, there should be absolutely no light for the period of darkness required.  However, for storing bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes, etc., it doesn't have to be pitch black it just means don't expose the resting plants to sunlight and warm temperatures.  If you're turning on a light to do laundry this will not harm your tubers, corms, rhizomes or bulbs.  I hope this helps.
Tom