I live in zone 6 and have caladiums and know that they have to be stored for the winter here. I was wondering if someone could tell me the best way to do this. They are at the point I need to start cutting them back and get them ready for winter and need the best possible way to keep them over winter.
Thanks
flowerfantasy
Caladiums
If the leaves have started to fall over and turn yellow it is time to get them up.
Don't cut the leaves off, it just makes them harder to find.
Remove them from the ground, shake off the majority of soil, put them inside on newspaper or cardboard to dry. After the leaves have completely dried pop them into a paper bag and label the bag in big dark letters. Store them where you will see the bag once in awhile.
Do not remove the leaves. It is easier to find the top of the bulb when it is time to replant.
Thanks Dale. I might try to save some of my Favorited from an assorted ,un named bag
Thanks Dale I knew somebody out there would know the best way. I really had no idea as this was the first year I have had them to store.
I have caladiums (the same pretty red-speckled ones Dale posted a picture of) that I'd like to keep as well. But being in zone 8a, is it necessary to bring them indoors still? Or will they make it through the winter here? I have them in a couple of pots on the deck in part-sun now. If I move the pots to the greenhouse over winter, will that be okay, or is it suggested that I also bag them for my climate? I've not had them before, but they're so pretty, I don't want to let them die and not return.
In NC you can just leave them in their pots. Keep them dry for best results. Best to keep them somewhere the pots won't freeze (in case you have an extended cold spell).
Top off the pots in spring with some compost or fresh soil.
Those Gingerland?Dale?
Mighty cute.
I didnt have great luck with that variety.
Came up late and never really grew well.
Ahhhh next year, older and wiser.
ge, yes it is Gingerland.
All caladiums grow well in FL. 90% of them are grown in Central FL (that would be here where I live).
They emerged weeks after the other Fancyleafs and began to look brown and spotty right away/It might have been our cool rainy summer.
I have those too and I think they are still going strong where as the others are starting to do the dying out thing. Mine are really pretty.
Mine, too, are still doing beautifully. But I know the cold spell is coming. Our weather has been strange here lately. Seems we went from sweltering hot summer to fall literally overnight (e.g., Sept. 1). We went from 90+ degrees one day, to low-70s the next, and that's where we've lingered since. I think we're in for an early, cold winter this year.
Hey it is the same way here in Indiana. Beats anything I have seen for a while. STRANGE!!!!!!!!!!!
We are expection a low tonight of 44*
Predicting a frost for next week.
Fall is really here. Its great sleeping weather but mums and asters are about all that look good. Even Dahlias are looking whimpy
I dug my caladiums up last fall and stored them in brown paper bags over the winter. Planted them this spring and not a one of them came up. Any suggestions? I spent quite a bit of money for these bulbs this spring. Bought them from the co-op. If I can't get them to come back next spring I'm not going to buy anymore.
Bubba1
bubba 1,
Dig them up and let them dry out, like you would with onions,sweet potatos. Then they are dry,check them for any rot. Put them in plastic mesh bags ( 25-50 lbs. bags ) like ones that grapefruit, oranges come in. Hang bag up off of the ground, some place that will not freeze ! I've been doing this for about 10 yrs. with excellent results. Jerry
bubba1, No peat moss as it would sift out of the bag.The main thing i like about these bags they let in lots of air so not to let the bulbs rot. I also use them for storing ee's. Jerry