Planting Caladium Bulbs Indoors
Law price easy to ship and a plant true to the type.
Planting caladium bulbs indoors. Plant right side up. If the soil is sandy mix in some peat moss to improve moisture retention. Soil temperature is an important consideration as planting too early outdoors can cause tubers to rot. Till the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches 15 2 cm and work in compost or chopped leaves to enrich it.
Plant the top of the bulb 1 1 2 to 2 inches below the surface with the eyes up. If you re planting caladiums in pots a standard rich potting soil will do. Use about a teaspoon per bulb. Starting the roots indoors six to eight weeks before planting them out in late spring ensures healthy plants and.
Caladiums grow from a tuberous root that sends out leaves and stem in early summer. When grown indoors they do best with lots of heat bright but indirect light and plenty of humidity. Fertilize every six weeks with a 6 6 6 type fertilizer or slow release type fertilizer. Planting caladium bulbs takes little effort.
The easiest way for a home grower is to obtain tubers. Caladiums are seasonal plants even in the tropics where gardeners plant them in the spring and summer months when they ll thrive in the heat and wet. They can be planted directly in the garden during spring or started indoors four to six weeks before the average frost date. If you are planting caladiums in northern climes you can start the bulbs earlier in a warm moist not soggy place inside and give them a head start see the interesting tip from ed groff at the bottom of this page.
They are normally available during caladium s resting period from late fall to early spring. Caladiums need rich well drained soil. Mulch around the planting and keep moist throughout the season. Growing caladium as indoor plants has its challenges though as the plant requires high humidity and heated home interiors are generally quite arid.
Generally plant your bulbs with the soil temperatures warm to 65 f 70 f. Additionally caladium plants produce leaves only from spring to fall and then require a rest period of around five months to recharge and sprout anew in spring. Growing indoors the perfect place for your caladiums would be in an east or west facing window. A few hours sun light in morning or evening is all they need to reveal all its glory.
Make sure the soil drains well by digging a hole and filling it with water. Just like other perennials that start to perk up and come alive in spring caladium varieties grown indoors will do the same. Planting caladiums is very easy.