How to grow and care for CALADIUMS
Mother Nature is an amazing artist and caladiums appear to be one of her finest creations! In-fact, they can be safely renamed as “saving grace” for summers. When the sun shines a bit too bright and it’s rays scorch everything in sight, caladiums still come up without a care to cheer up the garden(and our souls).
So, if you haven’t yet guessed, they LOVE hot weather. High temperature and adequate watering can produce magic out of queer looking little bulbs.
I think of them as a “surprise gift”. The whole process of sowing mixed bulbs and waiting to see which pattern comes up from each, for me, is one of the most exciting summer tasks in the garden!
So, how to go about it?
Simple..
Get your hands on some caladium bulbs. They are easily available at local seeds shops or nurseries at the onset of summers. The bulbs are small, dark and stiff(retailing at Rs.10-20/bulb) Press the bulb to check if it isn’t soft. Soft and squishy means ready to rot and won’t sprout anything. Good quality bulbs usually have a spike or two ready and will sprout as soon as you plant. It is also a good way to know which direction to plant the bulb in, though it will come up even if you sow it upside down. A good thing about caladiums is that they are quick to come up so you can plant them at any point of time during summers and the leaves will show up in a few days.
Plant them 2-3″ deep and keep the spike(if any) showing a little.
Water everyday and wait. That’s it! Planting in semi-shade(abundant but indirect sunlight)prevents leaf burn and produces the best results.
As with any bulb, adequate drainage is important because standing water can rot the bulb and you will be left wondering if the bulb vanishes into soil!
They will continue to put up a show as long as the weather is warm .As winters approach,the plant will start dying back. Worry not, it is only the leaves not the bulb. When the growth becomes negligible, cut back all foliage and dig softly from the sides of the pot for bulbs. Never poke a tool into the center as you may damage the bulbs. Also, caladiums multiply as they grow, so one bulb may have now formed ten.(Hence, richer the soil, better the bulbs). The best thing to do is loosen up the soil from the sides and then dig for the bulbs with your hands. Shake off all dust and allow the bulbs to dry in shade. Give a shot of fungicide(i don’t) if you wish to, and store in paper bags till the next season. Enjoy winter flowers and wait impatiently for summers to arrive again!
Though there exist hundreds of beautiful patterns, my favorite has always been the one with a splattered effect. What’s yours?
Do share your pics and experiences.
Till then,
Cya,
Happy Gardening 🙂
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Awesome
I Have Rarely Seen, Heard Or Read Such Kind Of Information Regarding These Beautiful Flowers
This Content Has Motivated My Interest And Sthrenghthened My Love In Nature
Really Superb
Thank you very much. I am elated humbled and honored! I hope you keep dropping in
Hey yasmeen thank you so much for this info. I love caladiums but don’t have any access to healthy and variety bulbs.. Can you pls pass me some details about your local retailor so that I can contact them and add few more variety of caladium to my collection…. Lods of thanx…
Hi! where do u stay? I bought the bulbs from Hara Seed Shop, Ludhiana opposite PAU. Otherwise you can also contact GARDEN GLORY, New Delhi. They ship the bulbs all over India. Hope this helps!
Hello,
My name is Gary, the owner at PlantCareToday.com.
I’m writing you today because we recently updated our article on Caladiums. Crazy, over 6000 words!
I wanted it to be informative but, you be the judge!
For example, Did you know:
The first public showing of the Caladium took place in 1867 at the French Exposition, and the earliest Caladium hybridizer was Frenchman, Louis Van Houtte.
Anyway, I think the article would be a great addition and resource to your page at: http://budscape.net/how-to-grow-and-care-for-caladiums/
You can review the article at: https://plantcaretoday.com/tips-planting-growing-caladium-bulbs.html
Thank you for your consideration and let me know what you think!
Happy Growing,
Gary
https://plantcaretoday.com
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Thanks Yasmeen for this very informative post. There are so many sites for house plants but I feel not as many when it comes to growing in Indian conditions:-)
When is the best time to plant and transplant these beauties? Also can they take heat upto 45° kept ina shaded area on the terrace?
I am glad you found my post helpful! I think the best time to plant is as soon as summers begin (apr-may).. Bulbs are the best way to grow.. transplant is easy and can be done on any good-weather day..They don’t really die in that high heat but the leaves get scorched ruing the colors.. so yes, it’s the best to keep them semi-shaded. Hope this helps!!
Thanks Yasmeen for the quick reply. Can’t wait to plant them. I was hoping you’d say Monsoons. April is so far away 🙂 Happy gardening.
Thanks Yasmeen for the quick reply. Can’t wait to plant them. Happy gardening:-)
haha.. you can always buy plants and move to pots of your choice 🙂 I am doing the same actually..
I’ve had my first experience with Caladium and am now hooked. These are 400+ ft frommy house, so out of hose range. Even after a week of no rain and 104° heat index, they are thriving in their first year. The white pops as you come into our semi shaded drive..making it a beautiful first site. Can’t wait to see next yeR.
Cumberland plateau, Tennessee