Free Caladium Hortulanum Hybrids Plants

The Caladium is a quite extraordinary plant and worth persevering with, providing you are prepared to cosset it with high humidity and a constant warm temperature. Caladiums are particularly prone to draughts, which can cause the total collapse of the plant. An unusual characteristic is the waxy foliage, which has an inherent ability to shed water very effectively. This makes aphid control difficult with a wet spray and a duster can be more effective. After the summer, the foliage begins to die down and the tuber will need to be stored over the dormant autumn and winter period. Store the tuber at about 15°C (60°F) in dry peat. Growth can be re¬ started in late spring or early summer by potting into a 13cm (5in) pot at 21°C (70°F) in houseplant potting compost that is kept moderately moist.

Plant type : Foliage plant with erect, fleshy stems
Season of interest : Late spring to summer; dormant for over half of year
Size : 25-38cm (10-15in)
Flower : Arum-like, 5-7.5cm (2—3in), greenish-white spathe around whitish
Leaf : Highly ornate, heart-shaped, 20-30cm (8 —12in), waxy, either translucent white with green veins or with variations of crimson, pink, white and green patterning
Temperature : 20-21°C (68-70°F)
Aspect/Light : Well-lit situation out of direct sunlight
Humidity : High
Watering : Keep compost evenly moist in spring and summer; keep tuber dry during dormancy
Feeding : Once every two to four weeks with half strength houseplant fertilizer in summer
Propagation : Separate young tubers in early spring and pot in houseplant potting compost at 21°C (70°F)
Potting : Houseplant potting compost
Problems : Aphid, collapse of foliage due to draughts or cold
Availability : Occasionally available in summer
Uses indoors : Feature plant for display in summer on table close to sunny window