Pamela, if you dug up last years bulbs, how did they winter for you? Did not realize there was such a difference between the climates in southern Florida and the panhandle.
While I bought a few caladium bulbs this year, I have to admit I am guilty of buying them already potted at the nursery ($$$). Did best when planted inside and put them outside once they started to grow and it was warmer. Brought them into the garage at first, then indoors where they turned to mush. I think our growing season is too short to start them outdoors, When do you start them outside, and do you put them into containers and sink them? And when do they die down, when the temps drop?
I want Caladiums that look like yours. Sometimes envy is good.
Caladiums Galore!!
I dug up the bulbs last year the end of October when they started fading out. I let them dry out first then put them in a 5 gallon bucket. I put the bucket in my unheated greenhouse. In mid January I was told they may not make it there. So I grought them inside my hourse. We had a few nights in the 20's. It gets pretty cold here sometimes, unlike south Florida. We don't get snow, but it does freeze and kill plants quite regular. Then it will be in the 70's then a few days later cold again. I didn't dig them up one year, and every one of them was white mush in Spring when I went looking for them in the soil. So I bought some more. This year I learned to dig them but store them in a closet indoors.
Now they are planted outside about 3 inches or so deep and a few are starting to send up shoots. I hope I get another beautiful show again this year.
When does your temerature start to stay in the 60's?
It generally goes to 60s and 70s in May and sometimes in April with much cooler nights.
It was warm last week, and we put in 12 calla lilies (zantedeschias) and the temps dropped 20-30 degrees. I was so excited to get them in early. We may also end up with mush.
One year we went to Orlando in mid-March, and when we got home we found it had been 80 degrees while we were away.
Truth is that it wasn't quite as cold a winter as we say. But it just seemed that way because it snowed so much more than usual that there were huge snow banks all over, and lots of people a bit north of here still have unmelted snow. Reports were that there was unusual snow in southern states as well.
Cathy - I think it's really smart of you to buy them bulk and start them early inside - that's what I do. The nursery I used to work for would sell 4" pots of them (usually 3-4 bulbs ea.) for 6.99 you can buy a bag of 25 for what one would spend on just one pot of them so ...kudo's to you on getting a jump start on one my favorite shade plants!!
Rose - Sorry I didn't see this earlier. If the caladium bulbs you stored had a little mold on them but were still nice and firm i would have washed them off and let em dry. If the bulbs were still nice and firm the chances are Very Good that they'd have sprouted for you this year. Storing caladium bulbs over the winter is almost impossible to predict. Thankfully I don't have to dig mine up. Seeing as I easily have a couple of thousand bulbs planted that would be a job!!
Pamela - Thank You so much for the kind words!!! You have no idea how much that means to me!!!
If anyone ever has any questions about growing caladiums, please don't hesitate to Dmail me or better yet, email me at: CaladiumBulbs4Less@earthlink.net
There is NO SUCH THING as a stupid question!!!
Last fall I dug up all the caladiums I had purchased already-grown for some summer color. I brushed off the dirt and stored them in the basement on a bed of dry peat moss. About 3 weeks ago I planted them indoors under lights. I got about a 50% sprout rate and the best ones have several shoots apiece. I'm so encouraged that I bought a bag of new bulbs to plant!
Goldenberry - That is great! Post pictures when they're all going strong. :)
Pamela,
Your caladium show is absolutely breathtaking. Unfortunately they will not overwinter here and I do not have the petience to dig up and store. Wonderful pics, however...
And I always appreciate Caladiums4Less' advice and help. Not often a vendor makes the time to post and provide such willing advice to others. Might buy some from him this year "just because" LOL and grow in pots - that way I can bring inside.
They will do OK in pots won't they as long as I keep watered? I have some very large pots I'd like to use.
Hi Steve,
Oh yes, they do fantastic in pots. Post # 8030715 shows about 7 or so Miss Muffet growing in a large pot. I fertilized them just once in the spring with miracle gro. The rest of the time they were just watered.
Good luck with yours. They are well worth a little initial effort to start.
Pam
Steve - you'll love growing them in pots! It's how I keep my shade area colorful without worrying about the tree's stealing all the moisture...large pots on the ground and several others around on tables etc....they make great companion plants with flowers like Torenia & Begoinias - however I like to plant several pots full of just caladiums because there are so many awesome color combos you can do just with caladiums
Pam - love you site - I was drooling over it the other night lol
Thanks, Deanna! :)
Pamela - I read in your post where you used Miracle Grow? Be very careful when using Miracle grow that you don't use to much. I would use half of the recommended strength. Miracle Grow has allot of Nitrogen in it that can absolutely affect the coloring in caladiums!!!!
Steve- Yes, they will do Fantastic planted in pots!!! In fact most of the plants in this picture are in pots. I arranged them the way they are for the picture which I think came out great!!!
Caladiums for less, do the various colors have names? If so is there a catalogue anywhere we can see the various ones and what they are called? I particularly like the one that is green with white spots AND white veins on the same leaf. Cam
Go to the dot com website to see all the varieties. They are all gorgeous.
Cam - The green one w/ white spots is called Stardust and unfortunately is not available this year. I have everything but the mixed bulbs turned off on the website until I can get a handle on my inventory. Email me at CaladiumBulbs4less@earthlink.net and I can send you some pics of allot of the different varieties.
Thanks for the heads up on Miracle Gro. What would you suggest?
I use the fertilizer I developed and bone meal. You can't go wrong with Osmocote and bone meal though........
A friend of mine is a VP for a national fertilizer company and he's had his R&D dept. develop a wet formula and a dry formula exclusively for me that we'll be offering in the next month or so. I'm really excited about this!!
I'll be looking for it!
Post a Reply to this Thread
More Bulbs Threads
-
Clivia Craziness
started by RxBenson
last post by RxBensonMay 28, 20250May 28, 2025