Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 3/15/2004

Question
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Proper spacing for Dahlia bulbs? Is it too early to plant them in zone 8? Same for Caladiums, but they would be in a pot and not in the beds.
Thanks,
Tom
Answer -
Dahlia bulbs can be planted a few weeks before last frost. Plant large growing ones 2-3 feet apart. plant smaller bedding types 12-18" apart. You should be ok if you plant them soon. (assume you are talking about Dahlia tubers and not green plants. the plants should be planted later. the tubers (bulbs) can go in the ground soon).

Caladiums should only be planted in early summer after the soil has warmed minimum to 65 deg F. E.g. wait until the night temperatures are consistently in the high 60's/low 70's. That would be some time to come. Caladium are very sensitive to cold soil and you are better of airing on the side of planting later rather than early -- even in pots. Kenneth, thanks for your reply, but you didn't give me the necessary spacing for the Caladiums?

Answer
Sorry Tom, I must have missed that last part..

Caladium makes wonderful umbrella shaped plants due to their long thin, flexible stems. A common problem is spacing them too close.

I recommend spacing small caladium tubers (#2) 6" apart in groups of 3,5, or 7.

Regular (or large) sized caladium tubers should be spaced 10-12" apart (size #1).

Jumbo tubers and larger should be spaced 18" apart on center.

In pots, for example 8-10" pots:
put 2-3 tubers of #2, or
1-2 tubers of #1 (large), or
1 tuber each of jumbo and larger.