How To Propagate Caladium Plants

Propagating and replanting.

How to propagate caladium plants. Of course this is up to the individual and will not adversely affect the overall growth of your caladiums. Finally dig up the tubers in the. How to plant caladiums. Plant caladium bulbs outside after all danger of frost has passed and daytime temperatures remain above 70 degrees.

Space them 8 to 14 inches apart depending on the ultimate size of your plants as listed on the tag. Caladiums are tropical plants and cannot tolerate any frost and only emerge when the soil is warm. Therefore you can use simple methods such as mulching to prevent them from growing. You should get rid of weeds because they provide high competition with the plant for water space and nutrients.

Tubers of mature caladium can be divided. Once replanted each section will grow. Make sure that each new tuber section has at least one growing site. Indoors or out caladiums are a seasonal plant with foliage in the summer and a rest period in the autumn or winter.

Next water the plants frequently so that the soil stays moist but not soggy. Cut the tubers into 1 to 3 1 2 inch sections using a knife. To make it easier for these smaller buds to grow after planting caladium bulbs many gardeners find it helpful to lift out the large bud with a knife. Select a location in shade or part sun with a good rich moist organic soil.

Each section must have at least one eye or growing point. To keep them blooming fertilize your caladiums once per month during the growing season with a 5 10 10 fertilizer. Buy potted caladiums ready to plant or grow them from tubers. One inch tubers will result in smaller plants.

Your bulbs should be planted deep enough to cover them with 1 to 2 of soil. Though they will grow no matter which way you orient them planting with the top side up will provide you with the shortest sprouting time and the happiest plant. The best way to propagate this plant is by dividing the tuber into sections. Caladium plants caladium hortulanum grow from a fleshy tuber under the soil.

Though they re sometimes called bulbs they are really tubers plant tubers point side up about 1 to 1 1 2 inches deep. Divide caladium plants in spring. Slide a garden fork into the soil at the base of the plant and lift the tuber clump out of the garden bed.