What kind of soil do caladiums like?
Like most plants, caladiums grow best in fertile, well drained soil. You can improve the texture and fertility of your soil by adding compost or top soil at planting time. During the growing season, caladiums will appreciate an occasional dose of liquid fertilizer.
How do you prepare soil for caladiums?
Caladiums are tropical plants and cannot tolerate any frost and only emerge when the soil is warm. Select a location in shade or part sun with a good rich moist organic soil. Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.
Do caladiums like moist soil?
Caladiums require a warm, moist soil to grow. Water frequently and thoroughly, keeping the soil evenly moist to touch but not saturated. Do not let caladiums sit in water if planted in a container. Fertilize plants regularly with a soluble fertilizer to promote strong foliage growth.
How do you repot a caladium?
Planting and repotting a Caladium plant Upon purchasing, if the pot is too small, proceed to repot the plant so that it may grow adequately. After that, every 2 or 3 years and preferably in spring, repot your caladium in a pot of a slightly larger size. Caladium roots hate having too much water.
Do caladiums like coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds are a good source of slow-release nitrogen, but are also acidic (3.0-5.0 pH). When using them as a side dressing, concentrate on acid-loving plants such as blueberries, raspberries, rhododendrons, azaleas, hibiscus, begonias, caladiums, impatiens, gardenias, citrus (in pots), heathers and most conifers.
What is the best fertilizer for caladiums?
Caladiums are heavy feeders of potash and phosphorus and must have ample moisture and summer feeding of fertilizer in order to produce good tubers for the next growing season. Apply 1 tablespoon of 5-10-10 fertilizer per square foot every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.
Do caladiums multiply?
Caladiums grow from bulbs and can come back each year.
Should I mist my caladium?
Humidity is crucial to Caladium houseplant care as the tubers are native to South American tropical forests and produce seasonal foliage during the rainy, warm season. Keeping the humidity high in a heated home may be done with misting and by placing a saucer filled with pebbles and water under the container.
How do you keep caladiums from dying?
Caladiums are one of those plants that require a dormant period, where they die down to their tubers, even when grown indoors. Once the foliage dies down completely, remove the tubers from the soil and store in a paper bag in a warm dry place.
Is bone meal good for caladiums?
Caladiums grow best in slightly acidic soils. Because of this they will benefit from a monthly sprinkling of bone meal. If you use commercial fertilizers, be gentle. Too much nitrogen will damage the tubers and affect the color of the foliage.
Do caladiums like sun or shade?
Caladiums grow best in shade to part shade (two to four hours of direct sun, preferably morning) or bright dappled light. In these conditions, they produce the lushest growth with large, colorful leaves.
How many years do caladium bulbs last?
Typically, a bulb will last about a year out of the ground before it begins to die. Bulbs store carbohyrates for the next year’s growth and this stored energy diminishes as time goes by. I think it is worth a try to get yours to grow. You will know within 3-4 weeks of planting whether or not they will grow.
Where to plant Caladium?
Most caladium varieties do best in shady, moist spots. Plan to plant caladiums in a dark area that could use some bright foliage – under trees, along the house, or in another shady place. Caladiums grow well with ferns , mosses and impatiens .
When should caladium bulbs be planted?
Caladium bulbs should be planted when soil temps reach around 65 degrees and that is usually around May 1 in those zones. At your current temps, they will stay dormant and will not sprout until it warms up a bit.
How deep do you plant Caladium?
When you plant caladiums, you should plant them about 4 to 6 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart. If you’re growing caladiums indoors, keep them in a warm room with plenty of light until outside temperatures are warm enough to transplant.
How do you grow caladiums?
You can grow caladium from tubers or seeds. Set out tubers when soil temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit , planted 2-inches deep with the sprouts facing upwards. Plant seeds after the danger of frost has passed, sprinkling them over the ground and leaving them uncovered.