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The Caladium is a frost tender, perennial tuber which is grown for its colorful foliage rather than flowers. The leaves are usually a combination of different shades of red, pink, green, white. They are easy to grow but tend to be fussy about their growing conditions. They like heat, plenty of moisture and humidity. Most varieties prefer to grow in partially shaded areas but tolerate morning sun.
In warm, frost free climates, Caladiums can be planted directly in the garden where they can be left permanently. In cool regions they should be potted and started indoors. When soil temperatures rise to 70 degrees, move the plant directly into the garden. An alternative is to sink the pot up to the rim in the garden for easy removal prior to the first frost. Caladiums can also be grown as a house plant in a bright (not sunny) location, or under artificial "Grow Lights".
Planting Caladiums The knobby side of the tuber should be planted upward. The leaves emerge from the eyes (knobs) and the roots grow from the top of the tuber. (Don't worry if you planted the tuber upside down, Caladiums will orient themselves and grow to the surface anyway, but they will take a little longer to show) Plant the tuber in rich, well draining soil so that the top of it is two inches below the surface. Provide plenty of water and warmth, and the sprouts will begin to emerge in 4-6 weeks. Feed lightly every 6 weeks with a liquid 6-6-6 fertilizer.
The tubers should be dug before the first frost. When night time temperatures start to drop near 50 degrees, cut back on watering to allow the leaves to dry up and fall off naturally. If necessary, the leaves can also be removed by cutting them off 1/2 inch from the tuber. Store the tubers in a flat of peat moss or vermiculite in a warm, well ventilated area. Check periodically for softness or rot and discard any bad tubers. If the bulbs begin to shrivel, add a very small amount of water to the storage medium. Replant again in the spring.
Caladium tubers can be cut with a sterile knife to produce new plants. For best results, each cutting should contain at least two "eyes".
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From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002
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Caladium tubers (like most tubers and bulbs) require a yearly rest period at some time during the winter months. When the foliage starts looking a little funky, stop watering until all the leaves have died back. Remove the shriveled foliage and store the tubers (in their pot or loose in vermiculite) in a cool area that is 50-60 degrees for a month or two. Repot in the Spring or plant them back in the garden after the soil warms
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From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002
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The Caladium is a frost tender, perennial tuber which is grown for its colorful foliage rather than flowers. The leaves are usually a combination of different shades of red, pink, green, white. They are easy to grow but tend to be fussy about their growing conditions. They like heat, plenty of moisture and humidity. Most varieties prefer to grow in partially shaded areas but tolerate morning sun.
