Caladium cultivation

Humid tropical climate are the best site to plant Caladiums. They are very easy to grow because they are easily adapt with the environment. They will go dormant when dry, and will grow when it’s wet. They will go dormant too in cold weather, and will grow when it’s warm. If the soil is humid and the weather is warm, they will never go dormant.

Growing Environment

Growing media

Actually Caladiums can grow anywhere. To get maximum growth, use highly aerated media, adequate water retention, good drainage, and pH within the range of 5.5 to 6.5 or slightly acidic. Because of the acidic needs, organic media is very suitable. But be aware of highly acidic organic media, too much acid will slow down the growth and the leaves color tends to be darker.

Dolomite should be used to adjust the pH to a range of 5.5 to 6.5, and 5 pounds per cubic yard of single superphosphate should be incorporated into the soil. These amendments provide sources of calcium, magnesium and sulphur, create a favorable pH for nutrient availability and reduce problems of iron toxicity associated with low pH.

Media mix used by nurseries are vary according to their local supplies of the media. The key is always the same :  pH between 5.5 to 6.5, good aeration, water retention, and good drainage.

Irrigation

Always keep the media moist but not too wet, don’t let it dries or the plant will stop growing and go dormant. When dormant we have to wait for a certain time since they do not re-sprout quickly. In the wilderness Caladiums dormant in dry season, and re-grow in wet season.

Light intensity

Most caladiums do not like direct sunlight. Each cultivars have their own needs in light. Some cultivars have better color in brighter light, some will scorch.

Most cultivars do not develop proper color unless they are grown under 2500 to 5000 footcandles of light. Light intensities lower than 2500 footcandles will cause undesirable stretching of petioles, oversized leaves for small pots, and unsightly plants which fall over when handled. There are exceptions since some cultivars require light levels lower than 2500 footcandles for optimal coloration including: the white cultivars Candidum, White Christmas, June Bride, and White Wing; the pink cultivars Kathleen, Fannie Munson, and Lord Derby; and the red cultivars Frieda Hemple, Postman Joyner, Poecile Anglais, and Dr. T. L. Meade. In addition, the dwarf cultivars in the tissue- cultured Honey Bunch series perform best at 1500 to 2500 footcandles.

Some cultivars perform well under light levels of 5000 to 10,000 footcandles. Among these are the white cultivars Candidum Junior and Seagull; the pink cultivars Carolyn Whorton, Rosebud, Mrs. W. B. Haldeman, Pink Gem, and Lance Whorton; and the red cultivars Fire Chief and Red Frill. In easy way, just put caladium in tree shade or terrace with no direct sunlight.

Temperature

Tropical climate with temperature of 70-90 F is very suitable for caladium. Although a night temperature of 55°F for a few hours over several days can be tolerated, longer durations of cold temperatures or colder temperatures may damage the plants. Re-growth may occur but will be slow and usually of poor quality. Day temperatures above 90°F are not favorable, since the rate of emergence can be reduced.

Humidity

Caladiums like high humidity. With high humidity, the growth will be optimum and the leaf will be more colorful. Thai growers use mini greenhouse to keep the humidity very high (90% to 100%) for the best growth.

Nutrition

Caladiums require a moderate level of fertility. Many types of fertilizers may be used including organic materials incorporated prior to planting, granular fertilizers, slow-release fertilizers, or liquid fertilizers. Regardless, a balanced fertilizer such as 14–14–14 or 20–20–20 is satisfactory. Plants grown in warmer climates and on sandy soils will require higher fertilizer levels than plants grown in cooler climates or on organic soils and may need supplemental applications throughout the growing season. Too much fertilizer will make the plant produce too much chlorophyll so the laves tends to be greener.

Be careful of newly planted tubers, if fertilizer applied it may damage the tubers because of minerals release.

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Propagation method

Caladiums have two types of propagation, generative and vegetative. Caladium has perfect flower and will set seed if we cross them. Self pollination almost impossible because female part always ripen and wilt before male part ripen. This pollination method is used to get new hybrids, new cultivars.

The other way is plant the tuber. Some ways developed to make the best plant from tubers. Plant grown from tuber will have the same type as the mother plant

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Harvesting tuber

Push the caladium to go dormant. You can do it by letting the soil dry. After wilt, dig the tuber underground. It’s better not to let the leaves completely dry because we will find difficulties in locating the tubers. But if we plant the caladium in pots, it won’t be matter.

After caladium lifted, clean the tuber, apply some fungicide, and let it dry. The wounds from harvest process will heal during this time.

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Storing tuber

We can store tubers for weeks without reducing their strength to grow if we store them right. The wrong way will kill these tubers, maybe they rotten or they suffer frostbite. Once tubers are cold injured, the damage is irreversible. The extent of the cold injury depends not only upon the temperature but also on the duration of the low temperature exposure.

Caladium tubers produce moisture. They must be exposed to the atmosphere or they will rot. Spread bulbs thinly on trays. Store in a warm room with good air circulation until ready to plant. (65 to 85 ° F). For long-term storage, 70° is optimal.

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Disease

The main problem in tuber storage might be fungus. Fungicide treatment on tubers is a must. Occasionally, root aphids or mealybugs proliferateon tubers during storage. If insects are detected on tubers, an appropriate insecticidal dip prior to planting will control the problem.

Mites, whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs and lepidopterous larvae (caterpillars) may attack foliage of plants. However, these pests usually do not become severe. Since the turnover of caladiums is rapid, a scouting procedure and application of insecticides on individual demand is a better approach than preventive sprays.

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