Caladiums

Elephant Ears

Say goodbye to boring caladiums! Thai caladium breeders have made breakthroughs in color and leaf substance that take an old favorite and make it new and more versatile in the summer landscape. See clean, rich reds, shocking or pastel pinks, smoky purples, near-black, wild chartreuse, and exciting new color combinations. Many have glossy foliage that makes them more weather resistant.

The culture of Thai caladiums is similar to culture for other caladiums but they are a little slower to develop than other caladiums. The chartreuse colors look best in shade; the other colors can be grown in light shade or with morning sun.

In general, plant Thai caladiums in shade or morning sun in rich, well-drained soil when the soil is warm (usually May in cold climates); water in times of drought. They can also be started indoors in a bright window or greenhouse in pots and moved to the garden in warm weather. Keep the bulbs dry and warm (at least 70 F) until they are planted.

If you order unpotted corms, you will usually receive them between March 1st and April 15th. Please note that Thai caladium bulbs are smaller than other caladium bulbs. This is a genetic characteristic linked to their selection for new colors. They will never make large bulbs.

If you want to hold the bulbs for a while before planting, keep them in the shipping bags at 70 to 75 degrees F., which is normal room temperature. If they are chilled they will remain dormant for months and might not grow at all.

If you would like to start them indoors:

• Soak the bulbs before planting in warm (not hot) water for two hours.
• Plant in a rich well-drained soil mix about an inch deep in a four or five inch diameter pot to get started. They can be shifted to a larger pot later if you wish. Keep the soil moist but not soaking wet. The pots must be kept in a warm place, 75 to 90 degrees F. is best.
• When the shoot emerges, keep the pot in a sunny window or a greenhouse. They like bright light to full sun when kept indoors.

When the soil is warm outdoors (usually late May in the Northeast, earlier in the south) the bulbs can be planted outdoors.

If you want to keep the bulbs for next year, dig them and dry them in a warm place in fall after a light frost, and keep them in dry moss at about 70 degrees F. Dusting them with a fungicide will help prevent rotting.

To view the Thai caladium plant list, click here.