In the Spring: WAIT to plant Caladiums until temps are consistently 70 at night to 90 during day. This will help them come up faster and ensure a healthy plant. Cold and wet conditions earlier may cause them to rot. If it seems like it takes forever for your caladium bulbs to come up you are probably planting them too early in the spring. Late spring is best. You need to buy them early however to get the best selection. There should be quite a few potted plants available later however.
In the Fall: Dig up your caladium bulbs as they start to fade. You can store them in a dry warm ventilated area on flats or hanging in mesh bags. You can replant in spring when the weather is warm. This will save them from rotting in the ground due to cold wet conditions.
Caladium bulbs are like potatoes, it is not critical that they be
exactly one way or the other. The stems will work their way around
the bulb from the "eyes." It is generally better to plant them "right side
up" in the ground, but in pots you can actually plant them upside down to
keep them bushy. When you look at the bulb it usually has nubby roots on
the bottom and old stems and/or new leaf sprouts on top. It also has a
pear shape that is flatter on the bottom.
Mammoth: 10 inches apart for a full bed, depth 4 inches Jumbo: 6 inches apart 4 inches deep)
Jumbo Straps: 6 inches apart 4 inches deep
#1 and smaller bulbs: 4 inches or less apart
Larger caladium bulbs mean more leaves. Big leaves come from existing sprouts. De-eye for more numerous and uniform foliage (Do not de-eye White Christmas, Candidum, Candidum Jr., and other white bulbs because they may turn all green on you)
Do not feed white caladiums either or they may get too green. A trick for potted caladiums is to plant them upside down (Makes them stockier).
In storing caladiums keep them inside the house. Ideal is in an old pair of panty hose in the closet. Never store caladiums in the refrigerator.
Most sun tolerant: STRAPS (except candidum jr) such as: Red Frills (Red), Rosalie (Red), Florida Sweetheart (Pink), Gingerland(White with red spots), Lance Whorton (Mottled Pink), Miss Muffett (Chartreuse with red spots), Pink Symphony, and Pink Gem.
FANCY LEAF that can tolerate morning sun only: Red Flash, John Peed, Dr. Groover, Carolyn Wharton, Pink Cloud, Fire Chief,
Other Spring Planted Bulbs
Caladiums are up all summer long (So are elephant ears & cannas, too) Other spring planted bulbs like gladiolas, dahlias, rain lilies, bletilla, tuberose, lilies are spring and fall blooming.
Plant Glads March through May in two week intervals for a succession of bloom. The next year they will all come up at the same time (April)
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