Caladium

The genus Caladium includes 15 rhizomatous perennial species with heart-shaped or oval-lance-shaped long-stemmed leaves, decorative due to the white-red pattern and differently colored veins (from a pale shade of ivory to carmine-red). Flowers are inconspicuous, collected in inflorescences-yellow cobs with a greenish covering leaf; they bloom in late summer. Hybrids and hybrid forms obtained by crossing Caladium bicolor with other species are grown, for example, caladium picturatum (C. picturatum) , Caladium Humboldt (C. humboldtii), caladium Schomburg (C. schomburgii). Very interesting varieties: 'Pink cloud' with leaves in dazzling shiny pink spots, with dark red veins marked with white; 'John Peel', which has red veins with a metallic sheen.

The genus Caladium includes 15 rhizomatous perennial species with heart-shaped or oval-lance-shaped long-stemmed leaves, decorative due to the white-red pattern and differently colored veins (from a pale shade of ivory to carmine-red). Flowers are inconspicuous, collected in inflorescences-yellow cobs with a greenish covering leaf; they bloom in late summer. Hybrids and hybrid forms obtained by crossing Caladium bicolor with other species are grown, for example, caladium picturatum (C. picturatum) , Caladium Humboldt (C. humboldtii), caladium Schomburg (C. schomburgii). Very interesting varieties: 'Pink cloud' with leaves in dazzling shiny pink spots, with dark red veins marked with white; 'John Peel', which has red veins with a metallic sheen.

Cultivation

This beautiful plant is grown only at home. The size of the pot is determined by the size of the rhizome. For small specimens, 10-centimeter pots are suitable, for larger crops - 15-20-centimeter ones. They are usually bred as annuals. In autumn, when the leaves begin to wither, watering is reduced, and when the foliage completely dies off, the tubers are removed from the pot, cleaned and stored in peat at a temperature of 15 °C. During the active growing season, liquid mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation once a week.

Location

At home, the plant is placed so that it does not get too intense, diffused light. Shading also helps maintain leaf color. Caladiums are very sensitive to drafts.

Temperature

The optimal air temperature is 21 °C, without compromising the development of the plant, it can be reduced to 16-17 °C, and finally, when storing tubers in winter, the temperature is maintained at 12-15 °C.

Watering

From the time the leaves appear to completely wither, caladiums require abundant watering. It is recommended to maintain a constant high humidity by soaking pebbles or expanded clay in the pan. Frequent spraying is useful.

Transplant

Transplanting into a new pot is carried out in March-April. In one pot, one rhizome with a large number of shoots is transplanted (or two of the smallest rhizomes), an acidic mixture of turf, leafy earth and peat is used, seasoned with a long-acting granular fertilizer. The rhizome is buried in the soil for 2/3 (1/3 rises above the surface).

Care

Dead or damaged inflorescences and leaves should be removed. The leaves are cleaned with a damp cloth very carefully, trying not to damage them. It is not recommended to use lustrating solution.

Reproduction

For reproduction of caladiums, both rhizomes and offspring are used, which are separated from the mother specimen and grown as independent plants. You can, before planting caladium, divide the plant, or propagate it when it is actively starting to grow (in March). The rhizome is cut in half, leaving 2-3 eyes-shoots on each part, the cut is treated with a fungicide or coal powder and planted in the ground.

Diseases

Rhizomes with roots are infected with Fusarium oxysporum and wet bacterial rot (Erwinia carotovora). To avoid this, after removing the rhizomes from the ground, they are treated with powdered fungicides-mordants. The leaves may turn yellow for various reasons. The most common is phytophthora; it should be treated with fungicides. When affected by aphids and mites, the aboveground part of the plant suffers, when affected by nematodes, galls form on the roots. These pests are also eliminated with the help of appropriate medications.

Acquisition

Caladiums are easy to buy in gardening centers and the best flower shops. The best time to buy is the height of the growing season - late spring or early summer. Choose plants with brightly colored leaves that show no signs of spotting or rot.