Tropical plant which are grown for the sake of their big , decorative farewell ; they are natives of South America and belong to the Arum family , Araceae . The parting , which develop annually from tubers , are heart - shaped and richly colored and vary from 6 in . to 2 ft . in length ; the blossom are interesting but of pocket-size importance . The blood line of the name is hidden . For Caladium esculentum see Colocasia .
Pot Culture
Throughout their growing time of year , Caladiums need a warm , dampish aura . The minimum indoor temperature should be 75 degrees during the summertime and 55 degrees during the winter . The Tuber are started into growth February — March . They are shaken loose from the old soil , set in a flat of leaf mould or peat moss and covered with alike material . As before long as origin are forming freely the tubers are take out of the box and pot separately in 4 - in . potbelly . After potting they are keep in a warm , dampish standard pressure , shadow from hot cheerfulness , syringed and carefully watered until the root attain the sides of the pots ; then they are repot in 5 or 6 - in . pots , accord to their sizing and vigor .
The upright pottingcompostconsists of loam , two parts , and adequate component of peat , leaf mold and dried cow manure . The remainder of the summertime treatment consists in maintain the greenhouse moist by moistening the floor and bench ofttimes and by syringing the leaves of the plants in the morning and afternoon . When the jackpot have become meet with roots , fluid fertilizer may be employ with vantage twice a week . If the leaves become overcrowded a few of the weak or badly colored ones may be remove . They are undecomposed window garden plants .
Treatment in Winter
Towards theend of the summerwhen the leaves begin to disappearance , water is gradually withhold ; finally the leaves die down . The potful containing the tubers are then lay in in a cellar or other convenient dry , moderately warm place until February or March when the tubers should be start into growth in the mode explained . The soil must not be watered while the tubers are hibernating .
Outdoor Culture
In the South , Caladiums are excellent plants for outdoor cultivation . The tubers are implant 2 in . deep and 8 - 12 in . asunder in plenteous , reasonably moist filth in a lightly shaded position that is sheltered from potent winds , as soon as the conditions is patch up and affectionate . In the North , tubers may be started into growth indoors 8 hebdomad before the weather is warm enough to set theplants outdoors ; the young plant are grown in pots for greenhouse or windowpane gardendecoration and are set in the garden in a suspicious position , in evenhandedly moist , rich soil when the conditions is really warm and settled . They necessitate plenty of moisture during the growing time of year . In fall , before toss off frost , they are purloin , dry out off , and are store over winter as advise for pot - grow plants .
Propagation is effectuate by dividing the genus Tuber after they have start into growth in springiness The composition of tuber are set in a box covered with sifted leaf mold or peat moss and preserve moist and quick . As soon as the musical composition possess root word they should be potted singly in 3 - in . heap .
The Chief Kinds
These are the primary species ( the color description have-to doe with to the leave ): C. Humboldtii ( argyrites ) , a magical plant life , 6 - 8 in . high , with green and white leafage ; C. bicolor , fleeceable and red-faced ; C. Schomburgkii , green and white ; C. Chantinii , variously colored .
Those chiefly grown are diagnose change which have been raised in garden . Some of the most handsome are Ace of Hearts , red and immature ; Candidum , clean with green veins ; John Peed , metal - red and moss - fleeceable ; Macahyba , green and red with lilac spots ; Marie Moir , clean with red blotches .
CALADIUM ( Cala’dium ) .
