All Caladium varieties may be used
for landscape purposes. However, certain varieties are
more suited to certain landscape conditions than others (see
excel table). The following guidelines will aid
the commercial landscaper to successfully incorporate
caladiums into stellar landscapes.
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Planting Time:
Caladium bulbs
may be successfully planted in the landscape throughout the tropics,
subtropics and temperate climates of the world. In subtropical and
temperate regions caladiums should be planted after the last frost in
the spring when night temperatures are greater than 50 F. To
jump-start the effect on the overall display, landscapers may choose to
transplant either pre-finished or finished caladiums into their
displays. When doing this make sure that the plants have been
grown under the proper light to avoid excessive stress and sun burning
in the installation.
Bulb Treatment: No special
treatments are recommended. Proper variety selection appropriate
to the site of installation is key (see below).
Growth Regulators:
No special
treatments are recommended. Proper variety selection appropriate
to the site of installation is key (see below).
Planting Depth:
Bulbs should be covered with at least 1 ½ to 2 ½ inches of soil.
This will ensure adequate soil moisture around roots as they emerge from
the top of the bulb. Planting depth is very important!
Soil Conditions:
A
well-drained soil is very important, as performance will be severely
hampered in saturated soil conditions.
Watering: Caladiums like
water therefore be sure they are planted in an area that receives
adequate irrigation so that they are kept uniformly moist.
Diseases:
The most common
diseases are Fusarium
and Pythium.
The main symptom is root rot. Use fungicides such as Medallion to
control Fusarium
and Subdue to control Pythium.
A fungicide drench should be applied 1-2 weeks after planting to control
these fungal pathogens.
Stunted Growth:
Make sure
that bulbs are not stored at temperatures below 60°F (16°C), or above
90°F (32°C). Injury due to temperature exposure manifests itself
in stunted (sometimes very slow) erratic growth even though the bulb
does not show any injury at all.
Sunburn:
White and pink
cultivars that have been grown during cloudy, early spring days and are
suddenly exposed to high light intensity might show brown blotches on
the leaves. In landscape plantings, we recommend keeping beds
adequately moist to reduce sunburn and choose varieties appropriate to
the planting site.
Leaf Spots:
A bacterial
leaf spot may occur that is caused by a bacterial pathogen known as
Xanthomonas.
To prevent damage due to Xanthomonas,
be sure plants are well spaced, that they receive plenty of air
circulation and keep the foliage dry at night. Improper nutrition
can also cause spotting of the foliage.
A pH higher than 7.0 is also known to cause
brown spots.
Other Foliage Problems:
Pink areas in
white cultivars like White Christmas usually are a stress related
symptom. High temperatures (>100°F) can induce this symptom.
Light Intensity:
Caladiums can
tolerate a wide range of light intensities. Some varieties perform
quite nicely under continuous full sun conditions while others should be
planted in partial (2-4 hours of full sun/day) or full shade.
In the north (temperate climate) caladiums can stand more sun than in
the south because of cooler night temperatures.
Fertilization:
In order to get continual growth after
sprouting, caladiums should be fertilized. In sandy regions of the
country, such as much of Florida, a good slow release complete
fertilizer (Osmocote, Nutricote or other slow release) seems to work
best.
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