Which End To Plant Caladium Bulbs

When planting caladium bulbs how do you tell which end goes up.

Which end to plant caladium bulbs. Lift the bulbs roots and all into a box or take the potted plants from your garden to store them undercover over winter. How to store caladium bulbs over winter. Peat moss compost ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and. Caladium bulbs which end goes up.

While caladium bulbs will grow no matter which way they re facing they do have a top and bottom. If you re growing caladiums indoors keep them in a warm room with plenty of light until outside temperatures are warm enough to transplant. Caladium bulbs have a rather smooth bottom side and knobby these are actually the eyes or growing points top side. Select a location in shade or part sun with a good rich moist organic soil.

Plant the top of the bulb 1 1 2 to 2 inches below the surface with the eyes up. Store the bulbs in a dry warm place at around 10c 50f to 15c 60f below this the bulbs will get damaged. Plant your bulbs about two to four inches deep with one and a half to two inches of cover soil. In my experience sometimes it is just about impossible to tell unless they have nearly begun to sprout.

Depending on the size of the bulb bigger bulbs produce more foliage plant caladium bulbs anywhere from four to 12 inches apart. Since too much nitrogen affects leaf color use a low nitrogen fertilizer such as water soluble 24 8 16 applied every two weeks at the rate of 1 tablespoon for every 1. If there are still water puddles 5 6 hours after a hard rain scout out another site. Plant caladium bulbs outside after all danger of frost has passed and daytime temperatures remain above 70 degrees.

Caladiums like well drained soil. If the area puddles after a good rain you might want to look elsewhere to plant your bulbs. Caladiums are tropical plants and cannot tolerate any frost and only emerge when the soil is warm. Mound an area for better drainage.

Fertilize every six weeks with a 6 6 6 type fertilizer or slow release type fertilizer. End of season when the temps go below 60 and stay there say the onset of fall winter harvest the bulbs leaves. When you plant caladiums you should plant them about 4 to 6 inches 10 to 15 cm deep and 4 to 6 inches 10 to 15 cm apart. Caladiums need regular feeding from the period when leaves are beginning to grow to the end of its growth cycle when days shorten and temperatures cool usually late summer.

Answer from nga april 7 2001. Planting caladiums is a breeze these hardy plants just need a little warm soil and some occasional watering and chow to see vibrant colors all season long. In that case you may see small bumps. Mulch around the planting and keep moist throughout the season.

Planting caladiums is very easy. Caladium bulbs need a rest during every winter. Caladium bulbs go dormant in the winter they like to take a nap. Outdoor beds find a location where the soil drains well.