Sharon, thank you SO MUCH and I have starred your response and printed it out too

I've brought the whole pot in too Trish and I still lose them but I think where Sharon hit the nail on the head is moisture. And I have the perfect place to keep them (walk in crawl space) stays anywhere from 55 to 62 degrees down there, I have basket thingys, and I have peat moss! A recipe for success!

And I neglected to tell everyone above how beautiful your caladiums are. Just stunning!

Vic, I do think the key is in the dryness and the consistent temps. The only time I can ever remember losing caladium or EE bulbs was the year of the ice storm and without electricity for 10 days in January and early February, I couldn't keep the house warm enough. The bulbs got too cold and just didn't make it. So 2009 was the first year I had to replenish my bulb supply in a long time.

Bill always makes me feel like a special customer. Loved being able to get beautiful caladiums that are not available in my local area. I have been so successful growing his bulbs in containers that this year I increased my order by 70 bulbs to scatter throughout the garden. I was excited to see how beautiful they are massed. Thanks to everyone who shared their pics.

SUSAN!!! What is that yellow thing?
It's gorgeous with the caladium.
Wow.

Golden Shrimp Plant, I think.

Golden Shrimp Plant (Pachystachys lutea)

Thanks. I didn't even know where to start looking.
Sometimes things just grab me; that one did.

I think it would be nice if Dave made a separate tab up at the top for "Reviews."

A tab on top would be great.

gardenersdetective said:... this year I increased my order by 70 bulbs to scatter throughout the garden.

Susan -- how did all the bulbs do that were scattered about the yard?
What is your soil like?

I was thinking of doing the same thing... I have a bizzillion hosta and i was going to tuck the caladiums in and about...
i have sandy soil though, and was wondering how that would work. [or how the bulbs would do. ]

They do fine in sandy soil in Florida.

thanks Hetty. I'll give them a try in the soil this year.

wow, I never planted a Caladium... will really look into now... you guys are such enablers!!!!

oh I just placed the order... since I never planted it before wish me luck!

You'll love it, Kassia.

Sharon said:SUSAN!!! What is that yellow thing?
It's gorgeous with the caladium.
Wow.

Golden shrimp plant is right, got them off a bargain table for a buck. I think I stole them.

I'm still saying 'Wow!'

tcs1366 said:

Susan -- how did all the bulbs do that were scattered about the yard?
What is your soil like?

I was thinking of doing the same thing... I have a bizzillion hosta and i was going to tuck the caladiums in and about...
i have sandy soil though, and was wondering how that would work. [or how the bulbs would do. ]

I'm ordering them this year and will be planting them in clay soil that has been amended with compost.

Caladiums Bulbs 4 Less is located in Lake Placid, FL and also has a shop you can visit if you live near. They have a big caladium festival every year in Lake Placid and consider themselves our caladium capital. Their bulbs will do great in your area. Like coleus there are some sun tolerant and shade tolerant varieties so make sure you read the descriptions.

Great review, Trish. And beautiful pictures, everyone! My reaction to that shrimp plant was the same as Sharon, Wow!

I haven't grown caladiums in several years. I guess I just got obsessed with coleus. I found some brand new caladium bulbs in the basement the other day, still in the commercial bag. They're small, and look very dry. I must have bought them last year and forgotten about them. I guess I'll stick them in a pot and see if anything grows, but I'm not too hopeful.

Karen

Terese, I knew the gardens were missing something!! Caladium it will be as long as I can find the web site.

I have a friend that lives in Lake Placid.... never been there yet.

CeCe -- http://www.caladiumbulbs4less....

though i'm sure you've found it by now.