Re: caladium
- Subject: Re: [SG] caladium
- From: S*
- Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 15:57:49 -0400
I wait until the cold weather knocks back the tops, then I dig them, brush
off the dirt, and let them air dry for a week or so. I store them packed
loosely in a bit of DRY peat moss, in the coolest room I've got, where I
also store glads and cannas. It stays about 60 in there--cooler would
probably be better, but it's all I've got. They do dry out and look very
lifeless by spring, but that is deceptive.
I start them in peat pots about the same time I start tomato seeds in the
spring. They need *warmth* to start growing. The top of the fridge is
marginally warm enough; better still is a heating pad or cable under the
trays. One year I put them outside in the sun under a plastic cover when we
had an unusual early spring heat wave, and they loved it. Even with warmth
they will start slowly at first, but once planted out when the weather is
warm, they will take off.
Sue
ScarletSage@att.net
Zone 6, south-central PA
> All this hot and humid weather has just been swell for my caladiums, which
> have been vigorously sending out blossoms since July. I once tried to
> overwinter some tubers (or whatever they're called) and they dried up, so
> normally I just toss them out in the fall. But I received such enormous
ones
> from Brent and Becky's Bulbs this time, and they've been so happy, and
I've
> been so good about fertilizing them, that I'd like to hang onto them. Does
> anyone have any tips for keeping caladium tubers over the winter?
> TIA,
> Nancy Stedman, NYC (Zone 6B)
