How to Revive Caladium Bulbs
Spring is here are you ready to revive your sleeping caladium bulbs, lets get started!
Let It Rest
If you have a happy blooming Caladium congrats! It will stay bloomed until the fall or when the temperature drops below around 70 degrees. The cooler fall weather will signal to your bloom that it’s time to hibernate. Once the last leaf falls cut it off and let the bulb stay in the dirt. You do not need to water your bulb it will go dormant. Now is time to let it rest. The bulb will need to rest for a period of about 5 months, or for the weather to warm back up to 70 degrees.
Revive
When the spring comes around and the weather starts warming up, you’re going to dig up your bulb from the dirt. Its going to be dry and sad.
You’ll be convinced its dead.. its not!
Next, you’ll need some Perlite and a small container with drainage holes. Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic obsidian that has been saturated in water. Perlite is available at home or hardware stores such as Home Depot or Lowes (Or Amazon).
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. In about two weeks, if you peak through the medium you’ll start to see little white roots.
Watch it grow
Once the roots start taking off it is critical to keep it watered and in indirect light. This is what is going to signal to your bulb that it’s time to get growing.
Once it starts sprouting, in about 3 weeks, wait for it to get about 4 inches and move it to soil. Standard potting soil will do it will do, continue to water but reduce down to every 4-5 days.
Enjoy!
Your Caladium will continue to grow big and beautiful. Enjoy the growth!
Caladium like bright, indirect light and prefers shady areas outside. Avoid direct sunlight. They need watered every 5-7 days, more in the summer.
Looking for something more ever green? Check out the African Violet!