Looking for caladiums

This is my newest item on the wish list. I've looked at catalogs and online but it seems the most affordable way is a co-op which we can't have. I would like to find even a couple people to split an order with or if you have some to trade or for postage let me know.

kathy

Kathy, I got into caladiums for the first time last year and jumped in head first by ordering a collection from Parks, 5 each of 11 varieties for just under $50, and they have the same collection this year. They have an iffy watchdog rating, but my bulbs looked great and all thrived, and that was the only source I found where I could get them for less that $1 each. Here's a link to the thread where I posted pics of mine last year. Happy hunting, Neal.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/546414/

kathy, unless your heart is set on some fancy ones, wait a little longer and ck your walmart store. they have 5-6 varieties out in my local store. Also saw them at HD and Lowes.

Last year I bought some fancy ones from Buried Treasures. They didn't do fantastic but i am giving them another year. Chris was cheaper than other sources although if you ck GWD you'll see he sort of hit a rough spot and has some negative posting. If/when I get "caladium crazy" (and this is only a matter of time, really) I would probably give him one last chance.

This message was edited Jan 8, 2006 8:13 AM

I love the White Queen pictured but I think the white/green will do just fine this year. I don't want to get fancy since I've never had great luck with them. I don't know if they are getting to little sun or what ? I water and feed them but....they just don't seem to look as large and vibrant as those posted on DG.

Thanks for the info and added pics. I'll give HD and Lowes a shot first.
Kathy

De-eye the Caladiums and you will get bushier plants, since all the secondairy shoots will develope more better. De-eye is take the center eye out. Then let it dry for a few days before planting.

I bought a couple of bags of caladium bulbs at Walmart last year and only two came up. I dug up the bulbs and it was just like the insides disappeared. The bulbs didn't look great when I put them in the ground, but I was hopeful. I ended up returning them for a full refund.

I plant a bunch of them each year. I wait for sales from the local nursery to try some fancy strap-leaf varieties.

That said, the best bargain I found is Sam's. If memory serves me, 60 bulbs for about $14. Last year my favorite were red flash. They were big, strong and a surprise from the relatively small bulbs. Pute your thumb and forefinger together to make a circle, that's the size most were.

In my area, you need to buy them in the winter, then hold them in a cool dry place before planting in late spring. Why? Because other gardeners know what a great deal these are.

happy digging
cynthia

This was one of my favorite combinations last year, 'Aaron' and 'White Queen'. Behind them is some cardinal lobelia and it's blurry, but there were 4 swallowtails enjoying them.

I have some very old cotoneaster on the north side of my dining room that I pruned and thinned last year. This year I'm going to plant the caladiums among those. I've done that before, many years ago, when the cotoneasters were much younger and it looked wonderful. Now that they're thinned out again, I'm looking forward to getting that look again.

costco has them already! there's a $2 off coupon per bag with a 10 bag limit.

kbaumle, that sounds lovely. I bet white leaved varieties make a great contrast with the berries or one with red would echo the color nicely. Good idea!

I have ordered from www.caladiumworld.com and was very pleased. Their bulbs were very healthy, large and the variety is outstanding. The price is comparable or better to those available at local garden stores. They have dwarf, strap leaf, lance leaf and fancy leaf varieties of all different colors.
I have no contact or interest in their business but I highly recommend them.

Louise

Lou,
I have received Caldium World's sale flyer and Badseed, I think, said they were the best to work with. I want to order some white so I anyone wants to go in with me for a batch of them let me know. I'll check out the price/numbers and poster later today or tomorrow.
Kathy

I got mine last year from Caladium Bulb Co. (see Garden Watchdog). I bought the box of 100 mixed for $50. This year it's $53. All of them were big, I'm sure they all came up, and I was very pleased with them. It had a great mix of colors.

Remarkably, all caladiums I have recieved this year (both online and Ebay) have been large and resonably priced. The hurricanes here last year, wiped out most of the caladium farms, so I thought the prices would be much higher. There are 3 main companies in the Lk Wales area, and all have proved to be reliable, and proud of what they offer.

I ordered 150 from them also. I will definately be looking them over with a picky eye and decide if we'll have a long term relationship. LOL

II ordered the 100 for the $53.00,I sure hope to be a repeat customer of theirs.That will depend on the quality of their bulbs.
Badseed... I saw your houseplants,very nice selection and love how you have them displayed.

Loretta..

Kathy,

Send me a dollar or so in unused stamps and I can give you some bulbs. Write me back with your info. The caladiums are red with silver around the outside.

Michelle

Has anyone checked out the sale at American Meadows yet? www.americanmeadows.com All Caladiums are on sale 2 @ 3.97 and a nice collection. Worth a peek...

Megan

bk,
I sent you a message