If you want to plant a caladium, the following tips will help you get started. First, be sure to dig up the tuber, which should be planted two inches deep in the garden. Next, plant the tuber with its growing points upwards. After the tuber has sprouted, keep the tuber in a cool location until the first frost.
Care of caladiums
Caladiums require regular watering. They need the soil to remain evenly moist but not saturated. Keep them in well-drained containers or pots with drainage holes. Over-watering can cause the leaves to drop and wilt, while keeping them too dry can cause them to die.
The best time to plant caladiums is two to three weeks after the last date of the last frost. Make sure that night temperatures are warm, and soil temperatures are between 65 and 70 degrees. In cooler climates, the first frost date is late May or early June. Some varieties tolerate full sun and others do best in partial shade.
Care of caladium tubers
Caladium tubers need consistent warmth in order to thrive. They prefer 70 to 75 degrees during the day and 60 to 65 degrees at night. In addition, they require a high humidity level to thrive. For best results, plant caladium tubers about four to six weeks before you intend to transplant them. They also prefer a slow-release fertilizer.
Since caladiums are not cold hardy, they should be brought indoors before the first frost. Then, they can be brought outside in early spring. If temperatures drop below 55 degrees, they should be stored in a warm, dry location, such as a garden shed.
Care of caladium flowers
Caladiums are native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America and need some special care to thrive in a home garden. Plant them in areas of the garden that are shaded from direct sunlight, such as the north or east. The plants like their soil to be evenly moist, and they also prefer a cool temperature.
Too much sunlight can damage the leaves and can cause them to droop and bend. Likewise, caladiums shouldn’t be exposed to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, as these temperatures cause the leaves to droop.
Fertilizing caladiums
Fertilizing caladiums is very important to keep your plants healthy and happy. Caladiums need a fertilizer every few months to keep their leaves vibrant. They don’t tolerate drought and require regular watering. To maintain the best growth and health of your caladiums, follow these simple steps.
The first step to establish your caladiums is to plant the bulbs or tubers with one and a half inches of soil on top. The soil should be slightly acidic. Plant your bulbs in early Spring, after the danger of frost has passed. You can also plant caladium bulbs indoors in early Spring. You will need to be patient because it may take four or five weeks for the bulbs to sprout.
Growing caladiums in containers
Growing caladiums in containers allows you to easily move them from one location to another. This can be beneficial for those who live in areas that can experience cold nights. For instance, if you live in a climate that gets very cold in the winter, you can move the pot to a warmer location to avoid losing the plants. If you wish to plant caladiums under a tree, be sure to dig the bed at least 5 inches deep, but not too deep. Too much soil can interfere with the roots.
You can buy caladium tubers from a garden center for about $1 per tuber. Alternatively, you can also buy a package of tubers online, although you may find that the shipping costs are higher.
Growing caladiums in full sun
In order to achieve the optimal growing conditions, caladiums should be placed in a large, well-drained pot with four to six inches of soil. The soil should be about an eighth to a quarter of an inch deep. You should regularly add water to the soil to keep the roots moist. Caladiums thrive best when the soil is constantly moist, but if it gets too dry, the leaves will turn yellow or drop off.
Caladiums can be grown successfully in full sunlight, but they will need consistent moisture. This can be achieved with an irrigation system.