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We bought some caladium and canna bulbs at the local big box, and they have done beautifully. With Fall approaching, they are starting to look a bit ragged, especially the caladiums. Back in Georgia, we left the cannas in the ground, and they would come back in the spring unless we got down to near zero. Caladiums had to be taken up, dried out, and kept in dry sawdust indoors until Spring. What is the drill with these beauties here?
I am thinking about separating the cannas because they have pupped nicely, and that may be all they need. I thought the caladiums would just keep going, though, but they seem droopy and a bit brown despite being well watered.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Jerry
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Just leave them in the ground, they will do fine. The cannas die back and then resprout. I think the caladiums will stay growing and keep putting up new leaves. They are kinda like taro.
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
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Thanks for the tips, Hotcatz. I think I will just wait and see what the caladiums do. Meanwhile, the cannas seem to have multiplied, so I will separate some and start a new bed with part of them and give the rest to friends. I got this really nice variegated canna at a nursery way down in Ocean View, and everybody loves it. It has bright orange flowers and finely striped yellow on green variegation.
Cheers,
Jerry
Edited by - JerryCarr on 09/02/2007 14:33:28
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I have several caladiums here in Orchidland. They go dormant for several months and then come back. I wouldn't say they are doing great but they haven't died.
Jerry
Art and Orchids B&B
http://www.artandorchids.com
I had lots of established caladiums in my Hilo garden. Most went dormant or nearly so in winter. They came back just fine. They are vulnerable to slugs -- speaking of getting ragged, but not so much they weren't pretty. They even did OK in full sun although they prefer filtered light and can handle true shade.
My cannas all got unsightly rust ... especially the striped leaf ones.
Glad to hear yours are thriving.
