General

Caladiums are excellent for use in landscapes and home gardens, although many are grown as a container plant.

Growing Area and Planting

For outside production, Caladiums need warm weather to thrive. The ground temperature needs to be 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. There should be no threat of frost. Caladiums need to be planted in a well draining area. Caladiums can be planted in full sun or shade. The white colored varieties keep their color better when planted in a (partial) shady area.

Soil Requirements and Watering

For greenhouse production Caladiums should be forced as follows:

Plant bulbs in a well draining planting medium.

Generally two to three size #1 bulbs or four to five size #2 bulbs can be planted in a six and a half inch container.

Size #1 bulbs should be de-eyed. Just remove the main eye on the bulb. This will help produce a more uniform container plant.

Use a soil rich in peat. Preferably 1/3 pure peat, 1/3 sand, and 1/3 vermiculite.

Plant bulbs and cover with one and a half inches of the soil mix.

Water very well right after planting. Place pots on a bench in the greenhouse and germinate at high temperatures of 75-90 degrees. Keep soil slightly moist at all times.

After three weeks foliage will start to appear. The temperature can be turned down, but do not drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Caladiums are a tropical plant and like warm temperatures. Low temperatures will stunt their growth.

Proper watering, temperature maintenance, and fertilizing will give you marketable plants in three weeks.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing can start when foliage has appeared. Use a regular slow release fertilizer (6-6-6) and fertilize every six weeks.