🌿 Caladium

Use a rich, humus-rich, aerated mix that stays evenly moist yet drains freely (caladium tubers will rot in a waterlogged environment). A suitable mix for containers is a quality potting mix plus a moisture-retaining component (peat moss or coco-coir, possibly a little sphagnum moss) and a drainage/aeration component (perlite/potato and/or fine orchid bark). Choose a slightly acidic substrate and always use a pot with drainage holes; avoid heavy garden soil. Avoid heavy garden soil. For organic matter, add compost or leaf mold and keep the mixture moist, but never soggy.

Caladiums are generally grown from tubers (often sold as "bulbs"), not from seed. Plant in the open ground in spring only after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm (around 18-21°C / 65-70°F); cold, damp soil encourages rotting. Choose a sheltered spot in bright, filtered light or partial shade, with humus-rich, well-drained soil. Planting depth and orientation: Plant tubers at a depth of 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches), bump-eye up; if orientation is unclear, plant them on their sides. Space tubers about 20-30 cm (8-12 in) apart (larger types may need more space). Water lightly, then maintain regular, but never soggy, humidity; allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings until growth begins. Indoor starting (for earlier exposure): Pot tubers 4-6 weeks before last frost in a warm, bright spot. Use a porous mix, keep warm (ideally 21-27°C / 70-80°F), and water moderately until shoots appear. Harden off and transplant outdoors once the nights are warm enough. Containerized: use a well-drained mix and a pot with drainage holes. Plant several tubers per pot according to pot diameter, leaving a few centimetres between tubers, and keep constantly moist during active growth. Dormancy and overwintering: Caladiums are not frost-resistant. In autumn, when the leaves turn yellow and die back, reduce watering and let the tuber go dormant. Before frost, move containers into a warm, dry place, or take tubers out of the ground, dry them for several days, remove excess soil and store them in peat moss, wood shavings or vermiculite, at a temperature of between 15 and 21°C (60 and 70°F). Replant in spring when the warm weather returns.

Feed caladiums only during active growth (from germination to late summer). Use a complete, balanced fertilizer (e.g. 10-10-10 or similar) at a light dose: for containers, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer (about 1/4-1/2 strength) every 2-4 weeks; for plants in the ground, use a balanced controlled-release or granulated fertilizer at label rates, applied lightly and watered in. Avoid high-nitrogen or heavy applications, which can burn foliage and reduce color. Do not fertilize dry soil - it must be watered first. Stop fertilizing when growth slows and leaves begin to yellow, and do not fertilize during dormancy.

Apply a light organic mulch (shredded leaves, fine bark, composted leaf compost) to conserve moisture and keep the root zone uniformly cool during the growing season. Use a thin to moderate layer (about 2-5 cm / 1-2 in) once the soil has warmed up; avoid mulches that are too thick in cool spring soils. Keep the mulch a few centimetres from the crown of the plant and newly planted tubers to reduce the risk of rotting. In warm weather, maintain mulch coverage to limit drying out, but don't leave the mulch and soil constantly saturated. Mulch is not a reliable substitute for lifting/storing tubers where Caladium is not winter hardy.