Extension Communications Extension 4-H Youth Building Ames, Iowa 50011-3630 (515) 294-9915

2/5/04

Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033, jmcguire@iastate.edu

Reiman's Pick for the week of Feb. 2, 2004

Try Caladiums for Bright Color in the Shade

Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens

It won't be long before most gardeners come down with a serious case of spring fever. Garden catalogs have been arriving nearly every day for the past two months with enticing photos of colorful flowers and luscious fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, there are a few activities that will temporarily cure anxious gardeners, such as planning the garden, ordering seeds and plants, and starting transplants from seeds, bulbs or tubers.

This week's Reiman's Pick, caladiums, give gardeners a chance to plant part of their garden indoors to get a jump on the season and satisfy their need to plant something. Caladiums are tender perennials that are started every season from tubers.

The heart- or arrowhead-shaped leaves may be why caladiums, Caladium x hortulanum, are occasionally referred to as "angel's wings." There are two main types of caladiums, fancy- and strap-leaf, that are distinguished by leaf size and shape. Fancy-leaf types have large, heart-shaped leaves and grow 12 to 30 inches tall. The strap- or lance-leaf types have narrow, elongated leaves and the plants are more compact and tend to produce more leaves than fancy-leaf types. This makes the strap-leaf types an excellent choice for hanging baskets, patio containers, or window boxes.

Caladiums are grown for their tropical look and bold, colorful foliage. There are over 100 varieties that offer unique color combinations in shades of green, red, pink or white, with prominently colored veins and contrasting backgrounds and borders. These colorful leaf patterns make them compatible with many flowering annuals.

Caladiums perform best in shade or partial shade locations. The leaf color tends to be more intense in partial shade. Some cultivars, such as 'Seagull' (white), 'Carolyn Whorton,' 'Rosebud', 'Pink Gem' (pink), 'Fire Chief' and 'Red Frill' (red), tolerate full sun conditions if kept well watered. The brilliant foliage colors make caladiums a focal point in shade gardens and add valuable contrast when planted with shade-loving perennials.

The optimum soil for caladiums is high in organic matter to provide good drainage and water-holding capacity. It's a good idea to work a couple inches of peat moss, compost or other organic material into the soil before planting.

The most limiting factor when growing caladiums is soil moisture. Keep the soil moderately moist throughout the summer. Under dry soil conditions, caladium foliage will fade and the tubers will become dormant. A good layer of mulch will keep the soil uniformly moist and cool. Soil temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit can result in leaves with more green color.

Tubers are priced and sold based on their size from 1 1/2 inches in diameter to over 3 1/2 inches. Larger tubers are more expensive but contain more leaf buds resulting in a larger, better display.

To get a head start on the season, caladiums can be started indoors in late February or early March. Plant two or three tubers in a 4-inch pot containing loose, quality potting soil. Plant them 1.5 inches deep, round side up and thoroughly water the soil. Place the pots in a warm, bright location and keep the soil moderately moist.

Caladiums are native to the tropical Amazon basin of Brazil and are only hardy in the hardiness zones where it never freezes. In northern climates, caladium plants or tubers are planted after the threat of frost is past. Caladium plants can be set out or tubers can be planted directly in the garden in late May, after the temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Caladiums can be treated as annuals and left to die or the tubers can be dug just before the first fall frost. Allow them to dry for a few days in a protected area, cut off the foliage, and remove the excess soil without rinsing them. Store the tubers in mesh bags in a heated basement.

Several caladiums can be seen throughout the Conservatory Complex at Reiman Gardens in containers and in the beautiful Valentine's Day exhibit.

-30-

Editors: Two color photos, suitable for publication, are available at right. Click on each thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The top picture's fullsize photo is 464K and the bottom picture's fullsize photo is 404K. Caption: 'White Christmas' is a beautiful fancy-leaf caladium with large white leaves and dark green veins.
Caption: 'Florida Cardinal' is a fancy-leaf caladium with a bold, red center and green margins on large, heart-shaped leaves.

News Menu | ISU Extension