How To Care For Caladiums Outdoors
The caladium prefers indirect light or moderate shade indoors.
How to care for caladiums outdoors. They are at home in pots and can be placed outside when summer arrives. Caladium how to take care of this plant. Add mulch such as pine straw to help retain soil moisture and conserve water. A northern or eastern window is usually the best exposure.
Caladiums same like any other plant also need full protection especially from the hot sun for the best growth and color. Your indoor caladiums only need a liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks. In fact watering them on a weekly basis is recommended. The narrower the leaves the greater the sun it can withstand.
In some climates container plants can be grown in full sun with careful monitoring. Water your caladium often but don t over water it. To keep them blooming fertilize your caladiums once per month during the growing season with a 5 10 10 fertilizer. You can replant the caladium tubers outdoors in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is around 70 degrees.
Always water caladiums regularly. Next water the plants frequently so that the soil stays moist but not soggy. Grow caladiums in acidic soil that s moist and well drained. Applying mulch around caladium plants will help to conserve and maintain moisture even in containers.
To grow caladiums plant the tubers in a moist shady location at least 6 to 8 inches apart in well draining soil. To prevent mold or rotting of the stored caladium tubers you can dust them with an all purpose fungicide such as orthocide when you pack them. Spray your indoor caladium to imitate the moist air of a greenhouse source. Store in a dry location at 55 degrees or above.
Growing them outdoors in containers gives you more control over light conditions. If you have caladiums in full sun don t let them dry out. Water your caladium regularly and deeply keeping the soil evenly moist to the touch at all times but not consistently soaking wet. How to care for caladium indoors indoor caladium plants require a medium light area with protection from midday sun which will scorch the leaves.
Depending on your climate and time of year daily watering may be needed during the peak of summer heat and every 10 days to 2 weeks may be sufficient in winter. Caladiums that are grown in containers should be checked daily and watered as needed. How to water caladiums. Fertilize your outdoor caladiums once a month.
Keep the soil slightly moist. As foliage begins to die down in the fall reduce water dig up and air dry bulbs for a week.