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Post by lilolpeapicker on Feb 9, 2015 14:02:34 GMT -5
I purchased a Caladium last fall and I seemed what I did it was slowly dying. I was very disappointed. Last week was the end. Should I take the tuber out of the container and replant it? If so, how long should i let it dry out?? or do I let it dry out? was it at the end of the growing cycle?
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Post by breezygardener on Feb 9, 2015 16:13:03 GMT -5
Although I do not have first-hand experience, what I have read about Caladiums is that regardless of whether they're grown indoors or out, they DO enter a dormancy period. So chances are excellent that your plant isn't dead, but just dormant.
You don't need to lift it, but the pot should be kept in a cool (around 60 degrees or so) dry spot & only watered once a month. When you see signs of new growth, repot in fresh soil.
This is just basic info from books & the internet. If you do a websearch on "growing Caladiums indoors", you may find more.
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 9, 2015 16:19:00 GMT -5
I haven't grown Caladium either, but it seems they are treated like calla lilies (which I do grow). I bring the pot indoors in the fall. The top growth seems to "die" but really, the bulb is alive and well. The plant is definitely dormant. I cut back on watering it. Just yesterday I noticed that the first sprouts are popping out of the potting soil. I simply start watering again/
I have also read that you can dig up the bulbs and store them in peat for the winter. I don't go through all that.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Feb 9, 2015 16:28:00 GMT -5
I will stick it in a closet for now and see what happens. I will leave it in same pot. Maybe I will give it blanket to encourage sleep ;)
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 9, 2015 16:34:36 GMT -5
My calla lily is in the bedroom near a west facing window. I don't do anything special. Just watch it, stop watering at some point. Restart watering at some point. And I don't cut back the leaves, just let them die back like I would a daffodil or tulip.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Feb 9, 2015 17:05:21 GMT -5
Unfortunately no one put in good sized window sills where I am now but I will sometime. I love plants in the window but my next project here is a new driveway. That's what I am working towards for 2015.
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 9, 2015 17:08:28 GMT -5
It's not on a window sill. It's on the floor. It gets some light from the window but it is not direct sunlight.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Feb 9, 2015 20:15:45 GMT -5
My house has privacy windows which are high so others cannot see in. The from bedroom would get light like that but plant would have to be moved around the room. I really do want to put in windowsills. Presently I have a planter rack in one of the front windows of my living room. Actually, I am thinking this is where the plant was until I moved it earlier. hmmm
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Feb 10, 2015 10:17:54 GMT -5
Pea, I think I would try to overwinter the caladium in a spot where there is at least some air movement. If it's in a closet and even if it's dormant, there's not as much air movement and the soil as well as the bulb might tend to become damp and/or moldy, or depending on the humidity in the closet, the bulb may even dry out.
I write this because of the problems I've had overwintering in a very damp environment. I managed to save a few dahlias but almost everything else just became moldy. Granted that there is a moisture problem in this neighborhood, but just thought I'd mention the issue as some houses are moist as well.
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Post by Latitude33 on Feb 12, 2015 21:46:36 GMT -5
A cool dry place. It will spring back.
Lat
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stuckinsouthdakota
Sprout
SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Pennington County, Black Hills of South Dakota; Zone 4
Posts: 36
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Post by stuckinsouthdakota on Feb 22, 2015 9:59:46 GMT -5
Just let it sleep in the pot it is in. Don't water and let it die back naturally. Cool dry place is best. Let it rest and in early spring bring it back out to sun, start watering, add some fertilizer when growth starts and it should be good.
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Post by lisaann on Apr 26, 2015 8:08:48 GMT -5
Pea,
Did you get your caladium going again yet? I would think it would be time to.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Apr 26, 2015 17:27:14 GMT -5
It sits on the shelf with nary a blink of an eye, nor sprout sprung! Maybe I did't water it enough??? Thx for asking....thinking about chucking it but I will probably wait a little longer.
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Post by lisaann on Apr 26, 2015 17:34:34 GMT -5
Pull it off the shelf and water it and set it out in the shade, just after you dig down in the pot and make sure everything is still in tact and hasn't rotted into nothing.
Dig down in there with your fingers right now and inspect it and report back in 15 minutes.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Apr 26, 2015 18:05:19 GMT -5
ah....i missed the deadline!! I'll check!
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