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Florida Gardening

Caladiums...what am I doing wrong?

15 years ago

I LOVE Caladiums!!!

I've planted several different colors.

At first, they looked great...and seemed to be flourishing.

Today I see that I've lost another...what a bummer as this was a really nice dark rose & green leafed variety.

The whites kick on me almost immediately so I don't plan on buying any more.

The others, I thought, were happy...but they die before they grow to a substantial size.

They're in mostly shade and they get enough water, so what am I doing wrong?

*heavy sigh!

I must add: There was one out front that died...or so I thought.

It came back up this past spring so I moved it into a shadier area and it is still doing OK...barely. :(

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Comments (7)

naplesgardener
15 years ago
I'm glad you asked this....hope some caldium experts answer.

Mine are struggling and the first thing I discovered is they don't like fertilizer, almost killed them with very moderate miracle-gro application.
Also think they don't like a lot of water since they've been doing better after water was cut back. All are in open covered shade.
katkin_gw
15 years ago
You do know they go deciduous for the winter, right? They come back in the spring. And they would like a bulb fertilizer. :o)
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East or west exposure will net blooms for most of them EVENTUALLY. Most of mine grow on the east side, close to the window, and most of the mature ones bloom. There are some exceptions. But I will say that pubicalyx 'Pink Silver' (which I think is what you have there) is one that has always taken many years to bring to bloom for me, AND once it blooms, it's very stingy. I think a summer outside might be helpful, but I, too, am careful what I put out. Two kinds of Hoyas go out - the ones that aren't doing too hot (in hopes of the fresh air and sunshine making a difference) and those that are duplicates (as I won't risk my mother plants.) But I do have two out on my covered front porch that I keep a close eye on - pubicalyx 'Red Buttons' is one, and I must say it blooms like crazy all summer long. The leaves look less than spectacular (fairly washed out), but it does bloom... Use a bloom booster fertilizer, like Ferti-Lome. The number on it are 9-58-8. THAT gives them a real boost! Denise in Omaha
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SaintPFLA
15 years ago
This is the time of year that they go 'night, night...'. You will see them again in the spring. At least, those that don't get eaten by some critter!

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teeka0801(7aNoVa)
15 years ago
they are along the side of the house, under the shade of an oak tree and I water regularly(3-4x week and not soaking,just a good spraying).

I know the ones that are in a container w/ trailing lantana are still going, though looking a bit wilted,but they are in alot more sun. They go dormant through May or June,then you see them come right back!

teeka
tomkaren
15 years ago
My Caladiums that are in the shade do hardly anything, The red and green ones in my main garden are in full midday sun and are the first ones up in the spring and the last to leave in the fall. I may move the others up there too.

I am not to good at fertilizing.
the_musicman
15 years ago
you're not doing anything wrong.

granted, around this time of year they start to decline and go dormant for the winter, but...

it's the freaking drought!

My caladiums are usually vigorous, bright and full-force all summer, in partial shade, sitting under the eaves, usually getting plenty of water. Since this has been the driest summer in Tampa Bay that I can remember, they have been dead or dying since July, when the rain stopped. Rain still ain't come back, and the caladiums are mostly gone. Hopefully they'll still be here next year...
lellie
Original Author
15 years ago
OK...phew!...so it's normal for them to 'go nite-nite' this time of year...LOL
That's cool, but now I have empty spaces in my beds...arrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhh. :(

Hey MusicMan!
Dincha git rain yesterday afternoon and all thru the nite?
LOL!

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