Caladiums are a bright, colorful addition to any garden. While they are a tropical plant from the Amazon region of South America, they can be grown in a variety of climates if they are given proper care. Often referred to as bulbs, caladiums are actually tubers, but their care is fairly similar.

To ensure that the foliage reaches its maximum in both size and coloration, care must be taken until the tubers are actually planted. For one, tubers should be stored between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid damaging them. For this reason, they should not be planted until the overnight ground temperature stays above 65 degrees. Consistently hot, daytime temperatures are necessary to promote germination. Caladiums should be planted in a partially shaded and well-drained area. Too much shade will result in greater levels of green in the leaves which will detract from the appeal of more colorful varieties. When digging holes for the tubers, one should allow enough room to cover each one with two to three inches of soil. In addition, tubers should be spaced 4 to 6 inches apart. Larger tubers may require additional spacing. The soil should be moist and watered frequently to assist in germination, but the soil should never be allowed to become soggy to avoid rotting. Caladiums do not grow well in dry soil. In addition, soil should be slightly acidic in pH. Fertilizing every 6 to 8 weeks is recommended with a general plant fertilizer such as 6-6-6. Do not over-fertilize.

In the autumn, caladiums should be dug up before the first frost. If possible, the leaves should be allowed to dry and fall off naturally, but areas with early frost may make this impossible. As with bulbs, keeping the leaves as long as possible allows the maximum amount of nutrients to be absorbed by the tuber which aids in growth the following season. When digging, one should be careful not to damage the tubers as this may make them susceptible to disease. The tubers should be stored in propagation trays such that they do not touch and the ideal temperature should be about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also important to keep caladiums dry during their dormant period.

With proper care throughout the year, caladiums will bring color to your garden for many years.

By: Tim Knight
Tim Knight is an avid home gardener and the webmaster of http://www.greengardens.us.

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