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Myriad hued foliage

Caladium, with its unique leaf colouring, makes a perfect indoor and outdoor plant

PICTURESQUE LEAVES Caladium

Slender, soft, green, with a delicately curved stem that supports a flag of arrow shaped coloured leaves... These adjectives would aptly describe Caladium, but do not quite elucidate upon its picturesque beauty.

Green edges, cream and white red markings, dots and patterns fill each of the large leaves of Caladium to make them charming. Native to Brazil and other South American countries, it is extensively cultivated in warm moist conditions all over the world. Ability to withstand some water logging and tolerate partially shaded indoor conditions are the reasons for its widespread distribution.

Kaladium is its West Indian name. The plant belongs to the family Aracacae. The species popular among gardeners are Caladium bicolor, C. shomborgii, C. humboldtii and C. pictuaratum. C. bicolor is eighteen inches long with bi-coloured leaves. C. shomborghii is 17-inch long, the leaves having green and white spots and red veins and a pale underside. C. humboldtii is nine inches long and light green with a white centre. C. pictuaratum is short, not over nine inches in length.

Unique charm

Every Caladium is unique in colour combination and beauty. The plant is tuberous rooted. Carefully divide and separate out the plants. Plant them in pots, filled with loamy sand, leaf mould, farm yard manure and neem cake in the proportion of 3:1:1:1 or straight in gardens after working the soil, in pits, filled with the above mentioned combination. See that there is enough space around. New leaves will be produced in quick succession. Clip out old falling leaves.

Caladium is not an erect growing plant. It needs all-round space to wave its flag of leaves. If placed indoors, raise the plants in low, deep pots on the floor.

J. MANGALARAJ JOHNSON

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