Caladium Plant Problems - Caladium Plant Pests And Disease

What bugs eat caladiums?

Slugs, snails, and pill bugs will eat some of the foliage (especially caladiums), but they can be easily controlled with a bait or even beer traps.

What is wrong with my caladium?

Generally, the problems you may see with your caladiums are caused by watering (or lack of), too much sun or fertilizers. Bulbs that are exposed to temperatures below 55° may grow poorly or not grow at all. Stunted Growth: Make sure that bulbs are not stored at temperatures below 60°F (16°C), or above 90° (32°C).

What causes holes in caladium leaves?

Indicators. The evidence of snails or slugs are the slime trails leading to, or away from, the chewed caladium. ... The pests' chewing, which leaves irregularly shaped holes with smooth edges, is a problem for caladiums. Slugs and snails can cause significant damage in one warm night.

Why are my caladiums turning brown?

ANSWER: This is sunburn, a common problem when caladiums are planted in too much sun or plants grown in shady greenhouses are planted into sunny flowerbeds. Sunburn causes tan patches on the leaves between the veins. Eventually, the tissue can burn through and holes will form.

What animal eats caladiums?

Wildlife. Squirrels, chipmunks, voles, rabbits and deer are wildlife pests of caladiums. Squirrels, chipmunks and voles dig up tubers to munch on them, even if caladiums are planted in containers.

How do you revive caladiums?

Fill the bottom of your container with Perlite, drop in your bulb and cover. Water heavily until water comes out of the container and put your container in bright indirect sunlight. The goal here is to keep your Caladium moist, watering every 2-3 days.

Does caladium need sunlight?

Most caladium varieties can be planted in either sun or shade. If you are planting them in a sunny location, it is important that they still get some shade during the hottest part of the day. Like most plants, caladiums grow best in fertile, well drained soil.

Do caladiums multiply?

Worry not, it is only the leaves not the bulb. … Also, caladiums multiply as they grow, so one bulb may have now formed ten. (Hence, richer the soil, better the bulbs). The best thing to do is loosen up the soil from the sides and then dig for the bulbs with your hands.

Do Caladiums need a lot of water?

These varieties do well in 6 to 8 hours of sun daily. Remember, even sun hardy Caladiums require lots of water. You'll need to check them for moisture more often when placed in the sun. You may need to install a soaker hose or automatic watering system to keep your Caladiums well watered.

Can I grow Caladium in water?

Caladium leaves with even just a bit of the tuber still on the petiole will root in water. A new leaf is already beginning to grow (underwater) and once planted into soil, this rooted leaf will soon grow into a beautiful new plant.

How do you take care of potted caladiums?

How To Care For a Caladium

Cut larger tubers into several pieces with a few eye buds in each. ...
Plant the tubers outside in spring. ...
Place your indoor caladiums where they'll get lots of light.
Grow caladiums in acidic soil that's moist and well drained.
Water your caladium often, but don't over water it.

How long do caladium leaves last?

Additionally, Caladium plants produce leaves only from spring to fall, and then require a rest period of around five months to recharge and sprout anew in spring.

Do caladiums like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are a good source of slow-release nitrogen, but are also acidic (3.0-5.0 pH). When using them as a side dressing, concentrate on acid-loving plants such as blueberries, raspberries, rhododendrons, azaleas, hibiscus, begonias, caladiums, impatiens, gardenias, citrus (in pots), heathers and most conifers.

How often should I water caladiums?

Fertilizer will help strengthen the plants in order to produce adequate tubers for the following growing season. Caladiums need to be watered on a regular basis, especially during dry conditions. In fact, watering them on a weekly basis is recommended.

Does caladium like sun or shade?

Caladiums grow best in shade to part shade (two to four hours of direct sun, preferably morning) or bright dappled light. In these conditions, they produce the lushest growth with large, colorful leaves.

Are caladiums poisonous to dogs?

What is Caladium Poisoning? The caladium plant is a houseplant with heart shaped leaves that look like wings. In fact, some call this plant angel wings or heart of Jesus. This plant can be very toxic to your dog.

How many types of caladiums are there?

This page lists some of the many Caladium cultivars. There are over 1000 named cultivars of Caladium bicolor alone.

Do caladium come back every year?

The caladium plant (Caladium spp.) grows from bulbs and is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 9 and 10. In warmer climates, the bulbs will come back each year. The tubers are easily damaged by cold temperatures, so you can also remove them from the ground for the winter and replant them in the spring.

How do you water caladiums?

Watering your Caladium

All year long, and especially during summer, spray water on the leaves to recreate the moisture levels of its natural habitat. Keep the soil mix a bit moist and check that water drains properly. Add leaf plant liquid fertilizer every 8 to 15 days during the growing phase.

How do you keep caladiums from drooping?

When air temperatures drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, including at night, the leaves will begin to droop and eventually collapse. If the plants are in pots, bring them indoors and set them back outside during the daytime. If they are in the ground, try covering them with an old sheet to retain heat at night.