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Related Topics: Caladium, Variety Trials

Publications

thumbnail for publication: Caladium x hortulanum Caladium

Caladium x hortulanum Caladium

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of Caladium x hortulanum, commonly known as caladium. It details the plant’s characteristics, including its arrow-shaped foliage, color variations, and growth habits. The document highlights caladium’s uses in landscaping, such as ground cover, edging, and container planting. It also covers planting guidelines, care instructions, and potential pest issues. Additionally, it mentions popular caladium cultivars and their distinctive features. Original publication date October 1999. 

thumbnail for publication: ‘Lava Glow’—A New Red Fancy-Leaved Caladium Cultivar

‘Lava Glow’—A New Red Fancy-Leaved Caladium Cultivar

Zhanao Deng, Natalia A. Peres, and Johan Desaeger

‘Lava Glow’ is a new and novel caladium cultivar that produces bright red to red-purple heart-shaped leaves with strong sunburn tolerance and is resistant to leaf spot diseases. This new 7-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department is prepared for growers who are interested in growing caladium as a horticultural crop and for greenhouse or nursery growers who are interested in producing potted caladium plants. Written by Zhanao Deng, Natalia A. Peres, and Johan Desaeger.

thumbnail for publication: New Caladium Cultivars ‘Dots Delight’ and ‘Wonderland’

New Caladium Cultivars ‘Dots Delight’ and ‘Wonderland’

Zhanao Deng and Natalia A. Peres

Caladiums are ornamental aroids valued for their vibrant and morphologically diverse foliage. Grower surveys indicated that they planted more acres of lance-leaved cultivars in recent decades to accommodate rising consumer demand. The caladium breeding program at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center has been developing new lance-leaved cultivars that can produce attractive, robust plants with many bright, colorful leaves and improved tuber yield potential. The program has recently released two new lance-leaved cultivars. ‘Dots Delight’ is well suited for use in sunny landscapes, having excellent tolerance to sunburn and strong resistance to the leaf spot disease. Though they may need one to two additional weeks to produce potted plants, tuber yield potential is intermediate to high. ‘Wonderland’ is well suited for potted plant production in sunny or shady landscapes or gardens and has showed good leaf color display, sunburn tolerance, and leaf health.

thumbnail for publication: Root-Knot Nematode Management in Caladium

Root-Knot Nematode Management in Caladium

Mengyi Gu and Johan A. Desaeger

Florida leads the commercial production of caladiums, a popular ornamental. In Florida, root-knot, sting, and stubby root nematodes are found in caladium fields. Root-knot nematodes are considered the most important of all pests in caladiums that are grown in sand. This publication will help caladium growers understand what plant-parasitic nematodes are and current nematode management strategies for the caladium industry.