Forget
baseball. For me, the hot, humid days of August will forever be
associated with caladiums. It was on those warm days I'd retreat
to my New York State patio, surrounded by big pots of leaves vividly
painted red, pink, green, and white in hot and cool combinations,
to view my garden. But what fascinates me most about this plant
is the ornate veining and patterns that make each leaf and every
combination unique.
In the
Northeast, the heat and humidity of August make it prime time
for growing caladiums. Potted plants are usually available at
local nurseries and are a quick and easy fix to fading borders
and containers. (Tubers are a cheaper way to go but would need
to have been started inside in June or in the ground in July;
see later in the article for details).
For my
subtropical garden, August means time for a second planting. The
first round of tubers went into the ground in April and about
now wear themselves out. Besides borders and beds, this fancy
foliage plant is ideal for pots and hanging baskets on the porch
or patio. But what few people know is that the cut leaf adds a
long-lasting tropical splash to indoor flower arrangements. In
my house cut leaves go from garden directly into arrangements
without any fussing but I've read that leaves last longer if soaked
overnight.
Caladiums
also bloom, but the flower is insignificant, especially compared
to the showy foliage. The flower, like that of a calla lily, consists
of many tiny flowers on a central stalk (spadix), which is surrounded
by a modified leaf called a spathe. The greenish-white flower
drains the energy of the plant and should be pinched off as soon
as possible. Although native to tropical South America, caladiums
are very Florida friendly. In fact, south central Florida is where
1200 acres produce 97% of the world's supply of the foliage plant.
Most, if not all, of the currently grown plants are hybrids of
several wild species, chiefly Caladium bicolor.
All parts
of this tropical plant are poisonous, so caution is advised around
children and pets, although my dog and cats have never shown any
interest. The sap may be irritating to some gardeners so it's
a good idea to wear gloves until you know if you're sensitive.
The majority
of caladiums come from an area centered in the tiny town of Lake
Placid, Florida, which calls itself the Caladium
Capital of the World and is home to the annual celebration.
The small town and its growers gear up the festival in late August
as it has for the past 11 years. This year's dates are August
24 through 26.
In addition
to the usual trappings of a festival—T-shirts, arts and crafts,
and lots of food—there's an exhibit of specimen and rare
caladiums and plenty of opportunity to buy bulbs and plants. When
you've had your fill of that, you can climb on board a bus to
tour caladium fields and production areas. Buses meander through
neighborhoods to which growers have supplied an unlimited amount
of plants (can you imagine?) in order to demonstrate the many
ways homeowners can use caladiums in the landscape. (See the happinessfarms.com
web site for more information about the festival.)
This particular
area, Highlands County, has become the epicenter for growing caladiums
because, besides the warm climate, it boasts dried up lake bottoms
left behind by the glaciers. The rich, organic muck, in some places
said to be 25' deep, provides a perfect medium for caladium tubers.
The season
actually starts with planting in late April or when the ground
is dry enough. Growers have learned from experience that the muck
can bog down heavy equipment when it's too wet. To make more plants,
growers cut individual tubers into segments (chips) with eyes
and plant them, much like is done with potatoes. In November and
December, the tubers mature into breathtaking rivers of colorful
foliage. By February, the plants die back enough to be dug.
Types
The main type of caladium is called Fancy Leaf. Its leaves are
heart-shaped and large, typically 8 to 12 inches long. The plant
grows about 15 inches tall, but will vary in size between varieties.
When densely planted, or planted in the shade, they will grow
even taller. Varieties in this group are Candidum, White Christmas,
Frieda Hemple, Carolyn Whorton, and Pink Beauty.
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