Caladiums

Is it too late to put caladiums on the ground? A friend gave me 8 bags last week and it's been raining almost every day like crazy here in Massachusetts and it's cold - do I plant them anyway, will they bloom by July or August or do I save them for next year? Any help is appreciated.

Rose

I don't think you can save the caladiums for next year or they'll be all dried out by then. I would go ahead and plant them now (wait until next week after it dries out a little). Caladiums will provide nice foliage (not flowers) for you.They like warm soil not too wet or they'll rot, shade or semi-shade conditions. I started some inside 4 weeks ago so they were just small shoots when I put them outside last week before all this rain in Mass.

Thanks for the reply - I hope yours don't rot with all that rain. I don't think we'll have a summer in Mass this year - when will the rain stop...
Thanks
Rose

Rose,

I wouldn't try to save them, if you can, start them off in pots indoors and transplant them outdoors as soon as your weather changes. Caladiums like soil that is well drained. As soon as your weather changes and it warms up, they'll grow like crazy!! You guys just have a shorter growing season up north, you'll still be able to enjoy them this year though!!

Bill

Bill, I tried them inside already - they all rot - I don't know why - I was bummed which is why my neighbor Bill bought me some to cheer me up - but it's been raining for days and it's cold - the rain will stop tomorrow - I don't know if should still plant them to enjoy their beautiful foliage or not - I will put some in pots but my worry is - will they have time to bloom for me by July - I love their foliage so much - I lost 100 bulbs already. Thanks

Rose--it is my understanding that they will rot if the soil is too moist. Is it possible that you overwatered your pots? I would also recommend you put them in a pot until they come up and them leave them in a pot or transplant them to the ground. Water the pot right after you plant the bulbs and then try to give them very little water until their tubers start to come up out of the dirt. They will come up and then you can enjoy their pretty foliage. Good luck.