Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
I am happy these are in the UK. I guess I take alot of the plants we have here for granted..those bi color and white christmas are at every big retail store in the US for about 3 dollars...if you catch them at the end of the season like now there only a buck.. I grow the white christmas myself and have had leafs as large as 14 inchs long but I have not seen anything any larger than that grow out doors around here.. nice stuff everyone
- Dave Brown
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Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
This year for me,has not been too good. They looked really good in spring indoors, but outdoors in summer they have struggled somewhat. The temps have not been below average, but the general lack of sun and heavy rain has reduced the temps in my microclimates. They don't have many leaves, and those they do have are smaller than last year. I'll store them overwinter when they die back,and hope for a better year next year.
They seemed to do better in very well drained compost in vending cups than once potted up properly. Maybe, once again, as with Coli and Alo's, the soil temp is key and a small cup heats up better.
They seemed to do better in very well drained compost in vending cups than once potted up properly. Maybe, once again, as with Coli and Alo's, the soil temp is key and a small cup heats up better.
Best regards
Dave
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Roll on summer.....
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Dave
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Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
- Yorkshire Kris
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Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
Mine looked fantastic in May then went down hill when I planted them out in mid June. The temps have been too cool along with the heavy rain at times. I will try again next year but my not be suited to life outdoors up here.
Greville, you've done the right thing by keeping them indoors.
Greville, you've done the right thing by keeping them indoors.
Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
I'll bring mine into conservatory today and put them alongside the hot-watering Colo tray - they haven't been great, so I've nothing to lose. I'll let you know if that kills them!Dave Brown wrote:Maybe, once again, as with Coli and Alo's, the soil temp is key and a small cup heats up better.
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Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
They don't like being wet Kristen, so I wouldn't water every day, like I do with Collies. I think this was part of the problem in July, it rained every day and they weren't growing/using the water.Kristen wrote:I'll bring mine into conservatory today and put them alongside the hot-watering Colo tray - they haven't been great, so I've nothing to lose. I'll let you know if that kills them!Dave Brown wrote:Maybe, once again, as with Coli and Alo's, the soil temp is key and a small cup heats up better.
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
Interesting that I kept four plants in a drip-tray in a shaded spot for over a month while away and they all bar one faded away considerably.
Two of the red types were given different conditions. One stayed inside as a houseplant and still looks good. The other kept in its original small pot was plunged, pot and all, into the garden bed where it got full sun in the afternoon and only watered through any rainfall. This, too, kept its looks.
Confirming the thoughts of recent posts, these do better not kept too wet in small pots.
The faded ones have been placed in the greenhouse where the warmth seems to be rejuvenating them.
Two of the red types were given different conditions. One stayed inside as a houseplant and still looks good. The other kept in its original small pot was plunged, pot and all, into the garden bed where it got full sun in the afternoon and only watered through any rainfall. This, too, kept its looks.
Confirming the thoughts of recent posts, these do better not kept too wet in small pots.
The faded ones have been placed in the greenhouse where the warmth seems to be rejuvenating them.
Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
Update. Those that died down and tried to reshoot all stalled at a half open leaf stage, so I think its time to dry off and store for these.
One Frieda Hempel wanted to finish naturally as oldest leaves were going over quickly so last week I dried this off by removing it from its pot and leaving it on a greenhouse shelf in the shade. It seems plump and firm. Dry compost for this one?
Two others are still in full leaf alternating time between the house and greenhouse. No new leaves for some time now so should I start drying these off?
One Frieda Hempel wanted to finish naturally as oldest leaves were going over quickly so last week I dried this off by removing it from its pot and leaving it on a greenhouse shelf in the shade. It seems plump and firm. Dry compost for this one?
Two others are still in full leaf alternating time between the house and greenhouse. No new leaves for some time now so should I start drying these off?
Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
I was going to leave mine out to die since I gave most of them away this year but my wife went behind and dug them up so there drying in the shed now..
- Dave Brown
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Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
Be careful of drying. Troppoz said that if completely dried out they don't come back. Drying in compost is not the same as drying in air
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
I was mindful of that, Dave. I stood the C. Freda Hempel tuber on top of the pot of compost it had grown in which was still moist. The three that made a lame attempt at restarting are pretty dry in the pot now and all four are booked for bed and breakfast tomorrow in a mix of MPC, perlite and vermiculite.Dave Brown wrote:Be careful of drying. Troppoz said that if completely dried out they don't come back. Drying in compost is not the same as drying in air
The remaining two will finish their display in the living room tomorrow and will dry off in the greenhouse.
- Yorkshire Kris
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Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
I think I need to locate mine and dig them up.....
Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
Dave how did your caladiums go in the good hot summer you had over there this year?
Mine are starting to wake up with the onset of the rains but half the garden is a construction site at the moment so they are struggling to appear between piles of steel beams and work boots
Mine are starting to wake up with the onset of the rains but half the garden is a construction site at the moment so they are struggling to appear between piles of steel beams and work boots
- Dave Brown
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Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
I lost them Sean I was letting them die back in the Lunar Module last autumn, and when they had, forgot they were out there a winter with mins around 2C wasn't what I had in mind, and none came back this year A lot been going on this year with work situation so they didn't get replaced this season.Troppoz wrote:Dave how did your caladiums go in the good hot summer you had over there this year?
Mine are starting to wake up with the onset of the rains but half the garden is a construction site at the moment so they are struggling to appear between piles of steel beams and work boots
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
No posts on these this summer so it looks like we all lost them. Kris? Kristen? Mine succumbed in the greenhouse carnage last "Spring-Winter".
Re: Caladiums - My new obsession if I can get them to grow.
I didn't manage to over winter mine. I have not done well with Colocasia or Alocasia either, and reckon that I don't have enough time to dedicate to making sure that temperature and moisture are right etc. and have, sadly, retreated to trying things that suit my ability better. Also I didn't manage to grow the leaves to any great size, and I would prefer something with larger leaves.GREVILLE wrote:No posts on these this summer so it looks like we all lost them. Kris? Kristen? Mine succumbed in the greenhouse carnage last "Spring-Winter".
They aren't too dear from Anglia Bulbs, so probably affordable to have 2 or 3 each year for those that want them
When I retire and have plenty of time perhaps ... or Mr B starts tuition classes to help the likes of me do a better job with Aroids?