When Do You Plant Caladium Bulbs In North Texas

Tubers must rest in the winter the same as outdoor caladiums.

When do you plant caladium bulbs in north texas. Caladiums need rich well drained soil. Will my caladium bulbs overwinter well in dfw if i just leave them in. Till the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches 15 2 cm and work in compost or chopped leaves to enrich it. It is best to wait until after may 1st to plant caladium bulbs.

We conveniently refer to them as bulbs when our huge selection arrives but caladiums are planted two ways from the shaggy warty little tubers they produce the most economical means and as actively growing plants after a grower has raised them in a greenhouse. Prepare the soil for planting. Bigger bulbs yield more foliage go figure. Caladium bulbs are sold in various size grades based on the diameter of the bulb.

They are at their best in bright indirect light. If you live in zones 8 or less you will need to spend some time around the time of first frost digging caladiums up and store them for the winter. The soil temperatures should have warmed up to 70 degrees by then. If you are in usda hardiness zones 9 or higher you can leave your caladium bulbs in the ground year round as they can survive the winters in these areas once established.

Just after i moved to dfw last month i planted hundreds of caladiums because lowe s was selling them for a penny each one weekend. Caladiums grow great in texas sun or shade. Sun or shade humid or dry our low maintenance caladiums thrive and provide colorful foliage all growing season long. A north or east window is ideal.

How do you care for caladium bulbs over the winter. Bulb size tips planting separations by bulb size yup it s true. Low maintenance caladiums have long been a standard summer bedder in north texas thanks largely to harry hollander and his dallas based abbott ipco an importer of tulips caladiums cannas and more. Caladiums love texas from perryton way up north in the panhandle to brownsville on the southern border with mexico.

If you wish to have caladiums up and growing as soon as possible you can plant caladium plants. Generally the larger the bulb you purchase the better the performance as the bulb is the source of energy reserve for the plant therefore the larger. When is the right time to plant caladium bulbs in central texas. Make sure the soil drains well by digging a hole and filling it with water.

My mother used to grow caladiums in south texas and she never had to dig up the bulbs for winter. If you re planting caladiums in pots a standard rich potting soil will do.