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| COOL-LOOKING CALADIUMS ARE MAINSTAY OF SHADY SUMMER GARDEN | |
| Published: August 23, 1997 | |
Consider a spring and summer planting for foliage color until frostQ:I have caladium bulbs that I bought in the spring but havent planted. Is it too late? Please give information on how to plant. Can they be left in the ground over the winter?A:Its not too late. The bulbs (tubers) come up so quickly in the heat of summer that youll have colorful foliage in a few weeks. Those who dont have bulbs can probably still purchase sprouted plants.There is an advantage to planting late, in addition to paying only half-price. The beautiful foliage on summer-planted tubers will be produced until the first frost, whereas the foliage of spring-planted tubers is already beginning to fade. For a long season, we should plant twice. If youre not planning to lift and save your bulbs for next year, its O.K. to leave them in the ground over winter. Some but not all will come back the following spring. I prefer to lift them when they start to look ragged, usually in September, although its safe to wait until just before the first freeze. With the leaves still on, spread the plants on newspaper in a dry, protected place until the leaves dry and are easily removed. Store the tubers in old panty hose hung in a dry, protected place. Replant when the ground warms up, any time after April 15. Plant the pointed side up, one and one-half times as deep as the thickness of the tuber and about 12 inches apart. Already-sprouted plants should be planted with the crown slightly above the surface of the soil. Most caladiums prefer shade or filtered sun, but some tolerate direct sunlight. For best results, give them a twice-monthly feeding with Miracle Gro or other water soluble fertilizer. When small flowers appear, remove them as they interfere with leaf production. On the trail of antique bulbsScott Kunst of Old House Gardens in Michigan is looking for information that our readers may be able to provide. His question is: How do Oxblood lily (Rhodophiala bifida) and "Tommies" (Crocus tommasinianus) do in the Acadiana area?None of my Coastal South references mention these bulbs; however, both are listed in Ogdens "Garden Bulbs for the South." If you have information, please contact me and Ill pass it on. Browning foliage is to be expectedQ:This spring I planted crocosmia, acidanthera and double tuberose bulbs. All have bloomed profusely. Im told that the bulbs for all three can be left in the ground in our mild climate. Will the bulbs rot in our wet soil? Should I let the foliage die down before removing it or can I cut the browning foliage back? Is it natural for the foliage to turn brown or are the plants sick?A:The browning foliage is a normal part of the blooming cycle. Bulbs for both crocosmia and tuberose can be left in the ground in South Louisiana. They are not likely to rot if they are planted in full sun.. The foliage should be allowed to turn brown and die back before it is removed.Acidanthera bulbs should be lifted after the foliage has died down normally and stored the same way as described above for caladium tubers. They may be set out again in early March about one-inch deep in full sun. |