How to Grow and Care for Caladium (Elephant Ears): Methods and Precautions

Growing Techniques Jan 1, 1970 0 views

1. Temperature: Caladium is a tropical plant that loves warmth. The ideal growing temperature is between 25-30°C, and in winter the temperature should be kept at 15-20°C; otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and the plant will wither. 2. Light: Caladium naturally loves sunlight. Insufficient light will cause the spots on the leaves to darken and the leaves to become weak and spindly.

1. Temperature

Caladium is a tropical plant that loves warmth. The ideal growing temperature is between 25-30°C, and in winter the temperature should be kept at 15-20°C; otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and the plant will wither.

2. Light

Caladium naturally loves sunlight. Insufficient light will cause the spots on the caladium leaves to darken and the leaves to become weak and spindly. Normally it can be kept in different spots, but make sure it receives at least 3 hours of light every day.

3. Water

Caladium likes moisture, and especially in spring and summer it needs plenty of water. You can water it once in the morning and once in the afternoon each day to keep the soil moist, and you can also mist around the leaves appropriately to maintain humidity.

4. Fertilizing

During the growing season, caladium can be fertilized once a month, mainly with nitrogen fertilizer, applied in combination with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. If you notice old leaves turning yellow and drooping, prune them off promptly.

An introduction to how to grow caladium, along with the precautions to take during cultivation

The hot summer is repaying the earth with its fiery passion, and the air is filled with warmth. Do you know caladium? Summer is exactly the season for admiring caladium, whose leaves are brilliantly colorful and extremely beautiful. Caladium is an excellent foliage plant. Today, let me take you through an introduction to how to grow caladium and the precautions to take.

Growing methods

1. Light

Caladium is a tropical plant that only grows strong in environments above 20°C. It naturally loves sunlight; if the light is insufficient, the colorful spots on the leaves will darken and the leaves will grow leggy, weak and limp. So during normal care, do not keep it fixed in one spot; move it around, and make sure it gets at least 3 hours of light each day.

2. Temperature

Caladium is extremely intolerant of cold. The most suitable growing temperature is between 25~30°C, and it must not go below 20°C. In winter the temperature should be kept at around 15°C, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and the plant will wilt. When the temperature is 22°C, the tubers will sprout new leaves. So in winter keep the temperature between 15~20°C, to avoid too high a temperature affecting dormancy.

3. Water and fertilizer

Caladium likes moisture and wet conditions. In spring and summer it needs plenty of watering to keep the potting soil moist, but avoid waterlogging. During the growing period, fertilize caladium once a week, applying nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in combination, mainly nitrogen fertilizer.

4. Repot in time

Caladium requires loose, fertile, well-drained soil. That being so, repotting is essential. In fact, repotting caladium is relatively simpler than for other plants, because caladium goes dormant in winter and must be replanted in spring; replace half the soil with new soil and bury the tubers a bit deeper.

Precautions

1. Preventing and controlling pests and diseases

Pests and diseases are rarely seen. You need to take care to protect the tubers; tubers are prone to dry rot during storage, and once it is found, spray carbendazim promptly. During the growing period, leaf spot disease is common, so prevention should be the priority; spray a fungicide every month to protect the plant's healthy growth.

2. Protecting the tubers

April to August is the peak growing season for caladium, and at this time make sure nutrients are sufficient. After September the leaves will gradually wither, and at this point you should reduce watering and stop fertilizing, letting the tubers overwinter safely in the soil. Then wait until the next year, when spring comes and flowers bloom, for growth to continue.

The above is my summary of how to grow caladium and the precautions to take. I hope it is helpful to all you flower lovers, and please keep following Duorou Huapu to learn more about flower and plant care.