you going to plant in that tropicle cortyard you was askin about?

Ralph, you are correct! I know the ground is too cool right now, but where do I put them until I can plant them?

You can keep them where the temperature is between 65 and 80°F or
"Caladiums require a warm, moist soil. A minimum soil temperature of 70 oF is preferred. If planted too early in the spring, cool soil temperatures will cause tubers to rot before they sprout. Some gardeners prefer to start tubers indoors in moist peat moss or potting soil in containers such as a shallow flat or flower pot. Barely cover tubers with soil and place the container in a warm room with bright light. Tubers should be started indoors approximately four weeks before planting outdoors."

Here is a link that might be useful: More about caladiums

Any idea when the soil will be adequate temp.? After April 15th? Never planted these and would like to try this year. Thanks

Scout

i plant them each year and do so whenever the danger of frost has passed. i guess i will put mine in the ground after this next weekend.
they won't do much (if anything) until the soil warms enought to stimulate growth.
i plant them about 3" deep.
also, if you want to save them for another growing season, lift them in the fall when they pretty much give out and dry them on a tray in the sun. brush away loose soil and store in a mesh bag in a dark, dry place.

My Caladiums and E ears are coming out of the ground as we speak here in North Alabama. Looking at the 15 day forcast I think they will be safe.

Bob

Thank you! One more question. :-) How long do the the leaves last and do you just wait until they die back in the fall and then dig up? (ok..two questions)

I find the packaging to be very poor information wise and I have always been intimidated by that fact.

Thanks!

Scout

the foliage should last all season with new leaves being added as the summer progresses. sometimes the first ones to emerge in spring will fade during the season - i just clip them off, along with any flower spikes that they may produce.
yes, after the foliage dies back and before real cold weather gets here, i take them up (if i remember) and dry and store them. they really are cheap enough to replace each season but the bulbs/tubers get really large, producing more and bigger leaves, if you are able to keep them going for several seasons.

I leave my EE's in the ground over the winter - doing fine so far - left some OUT a couple of years ago, they came back too! Course, there is always that one year I suppose. My caladiums on the other hand don't survive if/when i do that - however, i did leave some in a pot in the greenhouse, and they bloomed all winter!