Caladium (S)
Hardy in Zone 10
Start the tubers indoors, 6-10 weeks before last spring frost. Plant them, with the rounded side up, 1" deep and 1" apart in peat pots or flats filled with damp peat moss. Water well and keep in a very warm, humid area (24-30°C). Bottom heat is essential for proper root growth.
Transplant into individual pots or group them in containers once leaves start to appear. One to two weeks after last spring frost move containers outdoors or plant into organically enriched soil, in part to full shade. Do not plant out until nights are warm. Set plants 10"-12" apart, or place them in containers, one plant to a 4" pot. Feed every two weeks and water liberally. Remove the flowers as they appear.
Before frost, bring pot-grown caladiums indoors to winter over as houseplants on a windowsill with no direct sun. Water and feed heavily. Otherwise, dig roots up before frost and let foliage die back. Pull the withered leaves off after several days of drying indoors. Store the bulbs in dry peat or vermiculite in a warm (15°C) place.
