Caladium ‘Peppermint’ by Paul Pilon
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CULTURE CONNECTION PERENNIAL SOLUTIONS Caladium ‘Peppermint’ By Paul Pilon WITH ITS INTERESTING aladiums make a great Propagation addition to any peren- ‘Peppermint’ is a patented cultivar (PP FOLIAGE, THIS VARIETY nial program. With their 22,214) and any propagation without a WILL PROVIDE A interesting and colorful license is strictly prohibited. It is not eco- foliage, caladiums pro- nomical or practical for growers to prop- COLORFUL PRESENCE videC instant color to retail displays and fit agate caladium, grow the tubers to matu- perfectly with the ‘color sells’ philosophy rity, and then produce a finished crop. AT RETAIL. in today’s marketplace. Breeding and selection efforts by Production Robert Hartman of Classic Caladiums Caladiums require at least six weeks of in Avon Park, Fla., have brought many curing from the time they are harvested interesting and improved cultivars to until they can be delivered to growers. the marketplace. Their recent introduc- They are grown from tubers; however, in tion ‘Peppermint’ is no exception. ‘Pep- the industry they are commonly referred permint’ becomes more colorful as it to as bulbs. The more time the tubers matures. This new strap-leaved (lance- are cured, the quicker they will force in leaved) introduction has mostly white the greenhouse. Upon receipt, open and foliage with rose-red blotches as the unpack the boxes and let the tubers sit at leaves first emerge; however, the foliage room temperature in some type of vented characteristics change as the plant ages trays for one to two days before planting. with mature leaves displaying a dark-rose They should be kept above 55° F or cold red background with creamy white vena- injury to the tubers could result. tion and a narrow green margin. Many growers remove the terminal ‘Peppermint’ has an intermediate bud or de-eye the bulb prior to planting. growth habit and reaches 10 to 12 inches De-eyeing is a method that results in more when grown as a potted plant and 12 to compact plants with more shoots/leaves 18 inches tall in the landscape. Although per tuber than plants that have not been this column typically features various de-eyed. Additionally, de-eying decreases types of perennials, keep in mind that the forcing time by up to two weeks. caladiums are tropical plants and are not Growers can de-eye caladiums by cutting cold hardy below USDA Hardiness Zone out the dominant buds using a small knife 9. In Zones 8 or lower, caladiums do or puncturing and destroying the ter- not survive the cold winter temperatures minal bud using a nail. After de-eying, it and the tubers must be lifted out of the is important to let the bulb cure (dry and ground each fall. heal) for at least one day before potting In the Northern United States, cala- otherwise disease may enter the bulb after diums are commonly grown and mar- potting. Bulbs/tubers that are already de- keted as potted plants or in combination eyed are available from the suppliers. containers, but they can be sold as peren- ‘Peppermint’ is commonly grown in nials in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 4-inch or larger sized containers. The 11. Many perennial growers are adding number of bulbs needed varies with con- caladiums and other tender perennials or tainer size, the size of the bulb, customer tropical plants to their production lines specifications, and the price point of the to supplement their current offerings. product. Small container sizes, such as one With its interesting foliage coloration, quart containers, usually contain one bulb ‘Peppermint’ provides a colorful presence each, whereas larger container sizes, such as in retail settings and would make a great one gallon pots, often contain up to three addition to potted plant programs. #1 size or six #2 size bulbs in each pot. 42 | gpn | FEBRUARY 2012 | WWW.GPNMAG.COM CULTURE CONNECTION PERENNIAL SOLUTIONS Caladium performs best when they are planted into in small containers. A good starting point is to plant growth, maintain day and night tempera- a course, well-drained growing mix. Plant the tubers drench them with paclobutrazol at 8 ppm when tures above 70° F. The time to finish is determined with the rounded side down and the sprouts (eyes) up. the shoots have emerged, but before they leaves by the planting date and the size of the container After planting, there should be approximately 1.0 inch are unfolded (approximately two to three weeks they are being grown in. For late January and early of growing mix over the top of the tubers. after potting). Some growers successfully maintain February plantings, it takes approximately eight to The growing mix should be kept moist until plant size using foliar applications of daminozide nine weeks to finish quart-sized containers and 10 the bulbs have sprouted. After emergence, decrease at 2500 ppm as needed at five- to seven-day inter- to 12 weeks for 6-inch or larger container sizes. the moisture levels slightly, keeping the plants uni- vals or make a 30-ppm spray paclobutrazol appli- Late February through March plantings take formly moist until the plants are near the desired cation near the end of the crop cycle to hold plants approximately six to seven weeks for small con- plant size. As they approach the finished size, let until they are sold. tainers and eight to 10 weeks for large container the media dry out slightly between waterings. sizes. Planting caladiums in April or later results Avoid drying them down too much or leaf edge Insects and Diseases in slightly quicker finishing times: four to five burn is likely and in severe cases the plants may go There are usually not any significant prob- weeks for 4-inch and six to eight weeks for 6-inch into an early dormancy. lems associated with insects. However, several or larger sized pots. Maintaining adequate temperatures for uni- plant pathogens have been known to attack form emergence and growth is the primary factor Caladiums. Some of the most serious diseases Availability to successfully growing uniform caladium crops. It including Erwinia, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia Caladium ‘Peppermint’ is a patented introduc- is best to keep the temperatures above 70° F during commonly attack the tubers while other diseases tion from Classic Caladiums (www.classiccala production. Newly planted caladium emerges and such as Pythium and Phytopthora may attack the diums.com). Tubers are available from Classic grows most rapidly when the soil temperatures are root systems. Any tubers with discolored areas Caladiums and the exclusive licensee ABBOTT maintained at 80 to 85° F. Once the shoots have or white chalky substances on them should be IPCO, Inc. (www.abbott-ipco.com). All tuber emerged and average 2 inches in height, the green- discarded prior to potting. Many growers apply sizes (#2, #1, and Jumbo) are available from both house temperatures can be reduced to 70 to 75° a preventative drench using broad-spectrum fun- companies. Classic Caladiums and ABBOTT F for the remainder of production. The optimal gicides such as Heritage, Subdue Maxx + Medal- IPCO also offer ‘Peppermint’ in prefinished con- light intensity for Caladiums is between 2,500 and lion, or Subdue Maxx + Cleary 3336 between tainers (4 and 6-inch pots), which often reduces 5,000 foot-candles. potting and emergence to reduce the incidence of the finish times down to two to three weeks for Caladiums have moderate fertility requirements. pathogens. Additional drenches may be applied growers. g However, they perform best when nutrients are as needed. applied intermediately as opposed to being grown under constant liquid fertilizer programs. Healthy Paul Pilon is a horticultural consultant, Temperature and Scheduling owner of Perennial Solutions Consulting plants can be produced when 100- to 200-ppm The main factor influencing the timing of cala- (www.perennialsolutions.com), and author nitrogen is applied weekly or with every other irri- dium ‘Peppermint’ is temperature. Keep in mind of Perennial Solutions: A Grower’s Guide gation. The acceptable pH range is 5.5 to 6.5. they are tropical plants and perform best with to Perennial Production. He can be Growth regulators are often applied to cala- warm temperatures. Never allow the temperatures reached by phone at 616.366.8588 or paul@ diums that are grown at high plant densities or to fall below 65° F during production. To optimize perennialsolutions.com. STABILIZED FOR A STRONGER START! Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fertilizer New World Record Pumpkin, 1818.5 lbs.!! Grown by Jim and Kelsey Bryson, using Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fertilizers. 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