It's okay to mulch, and I suggest pine straw mulch to keep away the squirrels, because those little buggers LOVE caladium bulbs, and will dig and eat every one if you don't watch them. Pine bark is ok, but it presents no barrier to the squirrels.

It usually takes 30 days for my caladiums to emerge once I've planted them. Remember they like part sun but not full sun.

Lainey

Thanks Lainey... so far those squirrels have left them alone... :))... hoping to keep it that way. I had planted some gladiolus bulbs with the Caladiums.. and the former have already started sprouting - right through the mulch.