Caladium

CALADIUM (kah-lay’-di-um). A genus of striking, large-leaved herbs of the Arum Family, native to tropical America, and grown for their ornamental veined and marbled foliage as bedding plants, or more commonly in the greenhouse and conservatory. The principal species is Caladium bicolor, from which have been developed many varieties and hybrids with brilliantly colored and variously marked leaves.

For outdoor planting the dormant tubers should be set out about 2 in. deep as soon as danger from frost is over, in a semi-shaded position. Plants started in the greenhouse as directed below, and gradually hardened off may be used instead of the tubers, setting them 12 to 24 in. apart. Cultivate and water frequently.

Indoors caladiums can be started from seed but they are usually grown from bulbs planted one to a 3- or 4-in, pot in a mixture of 1 part light sandy soil and 4 parts humus. This should be kept moist and the temperature should not go below 70 deg., while it can go as high as 100 deg. without injury. When 3 or 4 leaves have developed, repot; then continue to shift as necessary, making the soil a little heavier each time by adding more loam and feeding with liquid manure every 2 or 3 weeks. Whether indoors or out, caladiums need plenty of food, plenty of moisture in the loose, friable soil and, preferably, a humid atmosphere.

A plant known as Elephants Ear and formerly included with the Caladiums as Caladium esculentum, is really a species of Colocasia.

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