Caladium Festival 2021

18 30th Annual Caladium Festival July 21, 2021
A caladium tale
More simple growing tips for dramatic landscape color
By NORMA RIZER
Editor’s Note: Reprinted from
the 2019 Caladium Festival
Guide, from the archives of the
Highlands News-Sun.
Caladiums offer the explosion
of color and the dramatic
appeal to improve your landscaping.
With a wide range of
colors and leaf sizes, they work
great in your garden or as a fill
around your trees. We will try
to answer some questions you
may have, so grab a glass of
iced tea, find a cool place to sit
and start planning your yard.
As you have noticed as you
travel around Lake Placid,
this is the middle of Caladium
Country. Take a walk around
the Caladium Festival and
you will find everything from
potted plants to tubers (or
bulbs, if you prefer). Chat with
any of the sellers and they will
get you started in the right
direction by answering any of
your questions.
Like all plants, growing
starts with the correct type of
soil to be successful with your
gardening ideas. Caladiums
do best in well-drained soil,
rich in organic material. With a
little planning and preparation
they will do extremely well
in Florida’s great sandy soil.
Florida also offers the ideal
climate for caladiums; heat
and humidity are just what
they like. Caladiums are also
inclined to thrive in partially
shaded areas, although some
varieties have different light
requirements. Just check with
your supplier on what will meet
your needs.
All the tubers need is to be
planted no more than two
inches below the soil line and
spaced eight to 14 inches apart,
depending on your plans.
Larger tubers will usually
produce more leaves, but small
tubers can produce larger
plants if left in the same spot.
Caladium bulbs will orient
themselves in the ground, but
if there is a pointed end, plant
it pointing up. Check with your
supplier on which fertilizers to
use.
Dry soil will make for unhappy
caladiums. Hot and moist
conditions are necessary for
germination, watering frequently
to keep soil moist but
not soggy. Some varieties are
suitable for full sun, but do not
let them dry out.
In the tropical south, caladiums
can be left in the ground
year round. Lake Placid is in
Planting Zone 9 so there is
no need to remove the bulbs.
Plants in the northern areas will
need to be removed before the
first frost; then replanted the
next year after the chance of
frost is past.
Under more shady conditions,
caladiums will show
more green in the leaves.
Darker colors tend to be more
pronounced in acidic soils. At
least one reference mentions
that fertilizing may cause color
variations, and some varieties
change color as they mature.
Mom always told us bloom
stalks should be removed before
flowering to force bulbs to send
energy to the showy leaves.
Growers here say that although
mom was right about most
things, this is not really needed.
Blooming will not affect the life
or condition of the plant.
Since some gardeners will be
planting in the northern parts,
be sure to follow your supplier’s
instructions when you receive
your tubers.
Here are a few facts if you’re
taking home plants or tubers:
• Caladiums are tropical
plants and tubers need to be
stored above 60 degrees with
humidity at about 75 percent.
Good air circulation is critical to
prevent rot.
• Bulbs that have been
exposed to cold temperatures
will sprout slowly.
• Harvest the bulbs and leaves
when temperatures go below 60
degrees; let them dry for a week
or so, then trim the tops before
storing for winter.
• Starting the plants indoors
and transplanting in summer
is a good plan, but bulbs need
warm soil to germinate quickly.
Bagwell Lumber
Company
DELIVERY
AVAILABLE
My Dentist told me
I needed a crown.
I was like,
“I KNOW, RIGHT?!”
• Crown milled the same day in our Sebring Office
• No more pouring models & biting into gooey trays
• No more waiting 2 weeks for temporary crowns
• 3-D scanning gives a perfect fit & color match
453-3168
• Decking
• Fencing Insulation
• Paint Windows
• Doors Moulding
• Locks
• Lumber
adno=00066038
For All
Your
Building
Needs
Bagwell Lumber
Company
309 W. Pleasant
Avon Park
adno=00066811
Dr. James Pyle
D.D.S.
WELCOME CALADIUM
FESTIVAL ATTENDEES!
Dr. Tina M. Thomas
D.M.D.
Now Serving 2 Locations
323 S. 6th Ave.
Wauchula 33873
(863) 773-3204
5935 US 27 N.,
Suite #103
Sebring, Fl 33870
(863) 382-0888