Ruined Caladium Bulbs

About 10 days ago I received an order for my caladium bulbs (sent ups). The bulbs were packaged in paper bags. One of the bags containing the largest amount of bulbs had torn in shipment. I put the bulbs (about 25 of them) in a plastic bag. I got my shipment too early cause I don't want to plant them for at least another 10 days.

I checked on the bulbs in the plastic bag this morning and was shocked to find that there was some kind of whitish material of some sort on most of the bulbs. I immediately took them out of the 1 gallon plastic bag and put them loosely in a box. The other bulbs which are in un-torn bags are fine.

What has happened to these bulbs and are they ruined? Is there any solution to this - should I plant them (I really don't want to now) but will, if necessary.

If the bulbs themselves don't feel soft or rotted, then I'd guess they've just got a bit of surface mold or mildew on them and will be fine. You could probably wash it off with warm water -- maybe add a dash of dish soap or a splash of bleach, can't imagine that would hurt -- and let the bulbs dry well before putting them back in a paper bag or box.

This sounds about right. It is something like mold or mildew. Maybe there was not enough air in the closed plastic bag but ok in the paper bags they came in. The bulbs seem to be ok - not soft or rotted & the washing treatment sounds ok to me but I'll pass on the bleach tho.

Thanks for the input :-)

I bleach iris rhizomes, and I've used it on other bulbs... but I think just a soap swish and a drier location should take care of the problem. At least, that's done the trick when I've had daff bulbs get a little like that due to poor air circulation. Good luck!

If anybody with actual experience with cannas finds this thread, please chime in!

You don't want to store caladium bulbs in plastic bags. They will mildew. Wash them off with some water and a little soap and let them dry in the sun for an hour or so.

Thanks! I'm glad to have an expert response (in case I was wrong about the soap). I will keep my caladiums in paper not plastic next winter. :-)

I would only use "a little" soap

That's what I was thinking... just a dash, enough to add a few bubble to the wash water. Even plain water would probably work to remove the mildew from the surface. I think drying them is the main thing -- and drying them in the sun is even better.