I planted caladiums 2 years in a row, both from different sources, both came up, the latter set were a stellar quality and HUGE. Fast forward, this is year 3 and NONE have even peeked? I see scads of caladiums all about the neighborhood.
Mine were planted in 4 different locations in the yard and yet none this year in any spot.
What is wrong???
Houston, I have a problem :(
What is wrong is caladiums do not get bigger they get smaller and disappear. You have to dig them up atleast the second year and chop them into about 1 inch or 1/2 inch cubes to make them go again. I found this out from Bill on here that sells them. I can't remember his screen name right now. They have something like a cement mixer (I picture) with blades in it and they put them after the growing season and then replant them.
This sounds wrong but I talked to him on the phone a few yrs back.
REALLY! Amazing! I bet you are 100% accurate on this! WOW! And yes, that second lot I bought that were astounding were from Bill :) So mine are still viable just require work. Rats. Haha.
haha It is pretty fascinating isn't it. They work the opposite of other bulbs and such.
Yeah I needed a bulb for the lazy gardener ;) JK! Not "lazy" I used to come home from my 40 hours and work by the light of the moon just to get things nice in the garden. But then I became Mom and my new job requires time by day and night so I get sooo little time in the garden. Just holding out for that day. For now will relish babying along my prized lil' ones. :)
Oh yes those little ones won't keep like gardening. But they are also so much more precious :o)
Just now getting back to it :) in the landscape department and was waiting oh so patiently for those caladiums which were the backdrop for most of my front yard scheme!
Now...any other suggestions for something similar in height that would give me several season color like they did?