How to Dig and Store Caladium Bulbs in the Fall

Proper Caladium Bulb Storage is Important for Healthy Spring Growth

Jun 13, 2009

Caladium bulbs should be dug in the fall before the first frost. Plant bulbs in the ground in late spring or start earlier indoors.

Caladium leaves provide color and texture to borders and flower beds and work nicely in containers. Except in the lower south, the bulbs should be removed from the soil in the fall and stored away from freezing conditions.

Proper Caladium Care during Growing Season is Important for Spring Garden Bulbs

Care should be taken when buying and planting new caladium bulbs. Some caladium bulbs need mostly shade conditions and some can tolerate more sun. It is important to match the bulb to the growing conditions.

Plant the bulb 2 inches below the soil level after the nighttime temperatures remain above 50 degrees. Keep the soil evenly moist but do not let it get soggy. Wet and cold conditions will rot caladium bulbs. Continue to fertilize throughout the summer months.

Remove Caladium Bulbs from the Soil After the Leaves Start to Turn Brown

When the leaves of the caladiums stop growing and die down, it is time to dig the bulbs. This can be as early as August in more northern climates or as late as October in the south. The bulbs will signal when they have finished their growth cycle.

Remove the bulbs while enough foliage remains to determine the color and names of the caladiums. If bulbs are mixed randomly in a planting, separating them is not important.

Dig Caladium and Spring Flower Bulbs with a Hand Tool if Necessary

If the soil is more compacted, it may be necessary to use a hand tool such as a trowel to dig the bulb. Care must be taken to not cut into the bulb since this could allow rot to occur.

Gently tug on the bulb and run the trowel deeply into the soil several inches away from the leaf growth. Dig around the bulb and gently tug on the foliage until the bulb comes out of the ground. If necessary, the gardener can run a gloved hand under the bulb.

Look for New Bulbs that May Have Formed

When digging the caladiums, it is not unusual to find small bubs that have grown and dislodged from the original bulb. These can also be stored and planted in the spring.

A careful examination of the bulbs that have been removed from the soil may reveal additional growth. This can be left together and planted as is or divided in the spring.

Proper Storage of Caladium Garden Bulbs

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service recommends letting the bulbs dry for a week and then cutting or pulling off the dry leaves. Then remove any soil from the bulbs and pack in dry peat moss or vermiculite. They recommend bulbs be stored in a single layer where the temperature stays above 50.

Some gardeners are successful storing bubs in an open cardboard box or hanging them in mesh bags. The temperature and humidity of the storage area should be taken into account. The bulbs should be checked periodically for rotting.

Plant Bulbs in Spring

Remove from storage and plant the caladium bubs in the spring or start earlier indoors. Although some gardeners prefer to buy new bulbs each year, proper storage of bulbs is an economical way to provide the beauty of caladiums to your landscape.

The copyright of the article How to Dig and Store Caladium Bulbs in the Fall in Bulbs is owned by Rosalie Thompson. Permission to republish How to Dig and Store Caladium Bulbs in the Fall in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.