How to plant caladium bulbs
You may not be familiar with how to plant caladium bulbs and the key cultivation techniques of caladium flowers. Let's follow the editor to see the specific content!
Cultivation techniques for colored caladium:
I. Growth habits of caladium: Temperature:
The native land of colored caladium is in southern Africa. It prefers warmth and is not cold-resistant. The optimal growth temperature is 18-23°C. When the temperature is below 5°C, it will enter a dormant state, and the bulb may be frostbitten below 0°C. Zones 9-11 can overwinter outdoors, while other areas are recommended to be planted in indoor pots. When planting in autumn, the temperature should not be lower than 15°C, otherwise it will affect germination.
Light: It prefers sunlight but avoids direct exposure to strong sunlight. It should be shaded in summer to avoid direct sunlight, while ensuring sufficient sunlight in winter, spring, and autumn. It has a certain tolerance to shade, but insufficient light may result in fewer flowers and lighter colors.
Water: Colored caladium is sensitive to water and avoids drought and waterlogging. The soil should not be too dry or too moist for a long time. Long-term moisture can cause bulb rot, so the soil should be kept alternately dry and wet. In autumn and winter, it's better to keep it dry rather than wet.
Fertilizer: Colored caladium requires less fertilizer and can bloom without fertilization, but the effect is better with fertilization. Slow-release fertilizer, chicken manure, or cake fertilizer can be added to the soil as a base fertilizer when planting. Every half a month during the growing period, add "Flower More" once (apply thin fertilizer frequently, not thick fertilizer and not too often). Do not fertilize during the flowering period, and apply liquid fertilizer after the flowers fade.
Soil: Caladium dislikes waterlogging and should be planted in well-drained soil.
II. Cultivation steps:
1. Clean and disinfect the bulbs, remove dead roots, and check if the bulb is healthy. Soak in a diluted solution of carbendazim for 30 minutes, then plant after it is completely dried.
2. Use a pot with a diameter of 20-25 cm and plant one bulb. Place non-woven fabric at the bottom of the pot, cover the bottom with a layer of bottom stones as a drainage layer, pour in about one-third of the nutrient soil, add slow-release fertilizer or chicken manure, cake fertilizer as a base fertilizer, and continue to fill the soil to about half of the pot.
3. Place the bulb with the芽 point upwards, gently on the substrate, and cover with about 4 cm of soil. Caladium planting guide.
4. Water thoroughly and place in a cool and ventilated area to wait for germination, keeping the soil slightly moist. Germination usually occurs within about 3 weeks. Caladium planting guide.
5. Move to a well-lit area after germination, water when the soil is dry, do not let it become too dry or too wet. During the growing period, you can apply "Flower More" liquid fertilizer once every half month, or not apply it at all.
III. Daily maintenance precautions:
Soil covering: The fibrous roots of caladium grow at the base of the leaves. If the soil covering is not deep enough, the roots may grow out of the soil surface and die from dehydration. Therefore, when planting caladium, the covering should be at least as deep as the bulb. However, caladium is afraid of waterlogging, and if the bulb is buried too deep, it may be difficult to control the moisture and cause bulb rot. It is recommended to cover the bulb with about 4 cm of soil. If the roots grow out of the soil surface later, add some soil to cover the roots.
If the covering is too shallow and the roots grow out of the soil surface, just add some soil.
Reflowering: The natural flowering period of caladium is in spring, but it can be planted all year round as long as the temperature is suitable. Planting in spring, due to suitable temperatures, flowering will be slightly faster (usually flowering 1-2 months after planting the bulb), while planting in autumn, due to lower temperatures, flowering will be delayed (flowering 2-3 months after planting). Caladium planted in autumn can bloom in winter. After the flowers fade, cut off the flower stem, water normally, and supplement some fertilizer until the leaves gradually turn yellow. After the leaves turn yellow, control the water, and after complete withering, enter the dormant period. Stop watering and fertilizing, and after the potting soil dries, dig up the bulb and store it in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, or leave it in the soil to store for the next spring to rebloom. It is recommended to dig up the bulb for storage, which is convenient for observing the germination of the bud point in spring. If germination is found, it can be planted immediately and watering can be resumed. In the southern region, where winter temperatures are high, caladium may not enter dormancy. By controlling water and cutting off water, it can be forced into dormancy, which is beneficial for better reflowering.
The above is the specific content about how to plant caladium bulbs and the key cultivation techniques of caladium, for everyone's reference and operation.