Caladium

The leaves resemble small elephant ears and are an assortment of brilliant colors ranging from whites to pinks to reds. Caladium prefers light filtered shade in soils that are moist and high in organic matter. For sunny sites, consider the strap leaf cultivars that perform very well in midwestern gardens. Fertilize weekly with liquid fertilizer. Remove any flower stems as they appear, because this will cause the plant to go dormant resulting in fewer or no new leaves. After the tops are killed by a light frost, dig the tubers and store in slightly moist peat in a dark area where the temperature does not go below 60 degrees. In March, restart the tubers indoors and set out the plants after all danger of frost is past.

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