A few weeks ago Lin posted a notice from Caladiums 4 Less about shortages this year. Bill mentioned locally owned growers and a "big" grower. I believe Classic Caladiums is the big guy, this farm is owned by former UFL researchers who have partnered with Proven Winners in marketing their bulbs. A number of which are patented.
I got this notice from Classic recently.
"Caladium Bulb Shortage – Mother Nature Dominates
A memo from Classic's CEO, Dr. Robert Hartman:
The 2022 growing season was challenging for Florida Farmers to say the least. For caladium bulb producers specifically, the season started with a drought that lasted all summer. With the drought came several wind storms that tore our caladium leaves shredding them. Our June rains actually came in September which is much too late for the crop. The drought caused stand loss as many of the planted seed pieces perished. Then on September 28, Hurricane Ian hit (see picture, arrow points at our farm) followed by cool weather and then 6 weeks later Hurricane Nicole hit us (11/9/22). Combined, these environmental events had a devastating effect on the caladium crop leading to a severe bulb shortage.
Over the years Classic Caladiums, anticipating what Mother Nature could throw at us, has invested in many preemptive but costly mitigating measures. These measures include laser leveled fields (for better drainage), raised mulched production beds (to keep the crop above saturated soil caused by torrential hurricane rains), certified stock (assuring our customers the most vigorous varieties), long term, controlled release fertilizer (to provide continuous small dose feed regardless of whether events) and several irrigation systems for both overhead and in bed irrigation to aid in sprouting and growth should we experience a drought. Because of these investments we have a relative normal crop and therefore bulb supply.
Nevertheless, gardeners everywhere need to be aware that there is an overall extraordinary caladium bulb shortage this season. Therefore, to get the widest selection of varieties and bulb sizes, it would be prudent for gardeners to get their orders in early as possible and ask their supplier about their bulb supply as options are diminishing rapidly.
Hurricane Ian about Hardee County, where our caladium farm is located.
With that being said, we have caladium bulbs, but they are going quickly. Make sure to place your order before our spring peak."
With such shortages out there the bulbs will be pricier this year. I pre ordered jumbo bulbs last fall, prior to the hurricanes. They were about $3.00 a piece back then.
