2023-04-27 00:29:14
Discover the step by step to plant caladiums at home and thus fill your garden with colors.
Spring is here! The perfect time to fill every space in your home with color. If you are dabbling in gardening, what do you think if you try planting caladiums at home?
This large, showy foliage tropical plant can make a great addition to your home. In addition, it is easy to care for and does not require a lot of space. In this article we will tell you a little about caladiums and, in addition to knowing their varieties, we will teach you how to plant them!
General characteristics of caladiums
Caladiums are herbaceous, tuberous plants belonging to the family Araceae. They are native to the South American tropics and were introduced to Europe in the mid-18th century. Since then they have become a popular indoor and outdoor species due to their easy care. Although they can grow up to 1.5 meters in height, on average they usually reach 30 centimeters.
One of the most striking aspects of caladiums is the density of their foliage. Its leaves can reach a size of around 15 centimeters wide and 45 long, in addition, they have a variety of shapes and colors. From white to green, red, pink and orange with speckles or streaks, caladiums can add a touch of vivacity to any home or garden.
Caladium species you should know
According to a post from Floriculture and Ornamental Biotechnologythe exact number of caladium species is still under discussion, ranging from 7 to 17. Here are some of the most popular and well-known species in gardening.
Caladium bicolor
This variety of caladium is the most frequent and has undergone genetic improvements to create hybrids and different types. Its foliage is mostly green, adorned with veins of red or white tones, while its spathes can be yellow or white.
Caladium gardener
The leaves of this species are particular, since their texture resembles that of paper.
Caladium humboldtii
All varieties of this plant have small leaves with green tones, which have a pattern of spots or white variegated in various sizes and shapes.
Caladium pictured
The different varieties of this plant have elongated leaves with white veins that run through them. The size of these leaves varies according to each particular species.
Caladium steudneri leaf
Although less popular than other varieties, these plants have glossy green leaves, slightly mottled with white, that are waxy and heart-shaped.
How to plant caladiums at home?
The cultivation of caladiums can occur in two ways: multiplication by tubers and multiplication by seeds. Read on to teach you step by step how to grow caladiums at home! So you can enjoy its beautiful large and showy leaves.
Multiplication by tubers
To sow caladiums at home, you can plant the entire tuber or divide it into several parts, making sure that one has at least two buds. Before planting them, it is advisable to treat the cut areas with a broad-spectrum fungicide that contains sulfur, and then allow them to dry for a day or two.
Bury them 2-3cm deep in a pot or in the garden. During this stage, try not to water them frequently and keep them at a temperature between 20 and 27 °C until the fourth leaf emerges.
Later, you can transplant them into a larger pot and use a substrate rich in organic matter with a little sand, in this way, you will facilitate the drainage of water. From that moment on, watering should be regular.
seed multiplication
If you decide to multiply the caladiums by seed, it is advisable to wait for the arrival of a temperate climate, making sure that the temperature does not exceed 20 °C.
For the process, you will only need to prepare a tray with a light and sandy substrate. There, you will bury the seeds, covering them slightly, to ensure humidity during the germination period. It is essential to keep them in a place with little light and with the substrate always humid at a temperature that oscillates between 20 and 23°C.
In case there is a lot of wind, the ideal thing will be to cover the tray with glass or plastic and periodically remove it to avoid excess humidity.
Once the seeds germinate, remove the plastic or glass and increase the amount of light. Make sure you keep them out of direct sunlight and get good ventilation.
If you detect weak seedlings, remove them to give the robust ones more space to develop. Then, when they have some leaves, transplant them into small pots, being careful not to damage their roots. Keep in mind that the first leaves will be all green, since the color of the variety begins to show from the sixth or seventh leaf.
Be very careful with pests!
When dabbling in the cultivation of caladiums, it is essential to pay attention to detail to avoid pests and diseases. Aphids, spider mites and mites are some of the most common and can cause damage to the leaves. To avoid them, it is important to control the humidity and the amount of sun they receive, as well as to maintain cleanliness in the garden.
In order to avoid diseases caused by fungi and bacteria in tubers, it is important to use a light substrate and properly manage irrigation. Taking these care, you can enjoy healthy caladiums in your garden.
Take care of your caladiums to bring life to your garden!
Caladiums require some extra care to grow healthy. Take note of the most important ones!
- Try to locate them in a very bright area, but make sure they are far enough away from direct sources of natural or artificial light.
- Soil based on peat with an acid reaction mixed with sand and with good drainage.
- Moderate watering. It is important that the soil is slightly damp but never waterlogged.
- Transplant them annually and fertilize them every two weeks with earthworm humus or a liquid fertilizer diluted with the irrigation water.
- You can’t. Caladiums gradually shed their leaves.
Ready! Now you know all the details to plant caladiums at home and enjoy the beauty and joy that they will bring to your garden or home.
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