Awhhhh .... Caladiums. I love them! I didn't grow them this year. And cannot tell you why.

I grew caladiums once a long time ago in the states. They grow well here so I'm going to get me some. You've got really pretty ones, tarev!

Thanks KD, they are my first caladiums, actually, prize I won during one of our raffles here in ATP I have avoided to grow them for the longest time, then when I won, I had to read and understand its culture, knowing it grows abundantly in more tropical and humid setting. Apparently once awake in summer here, it keeps going and going, just have to water everyday. Now this cold season is an observation time for me, since it seems too slow to really sleep, even if our temps is cooling down fast at night. Compared to my coleus before that quickly got zapped by the cold, these ones seems tougher.

Yep Caladiums are more cold tolerant than Coleus. For those of us in colder climates, Caladiums may be treated like canna or dahlias. Dig up bulb, dry, sprinkle with powdered sulphur, store in cool dark place like a basement.

I did over winter a Caladium once indoors in a pot and it did okay - not great. It did perk back up in Spring when I took it outside. (I have over wintered Coleus indoors as well.)

That is good to know David! Hmm...I will just leave the tubers then in its containers. Just in case our weather improves faster later on, they will go out again.

Okay, I changed my mind and brought out Plumie Celadine from our garage, temps are bearable once more, seems a pity to let it not enjoy them. We may have some cold rain tomorrow..but will let it have some.

My other noid Plumie hiding by our south facing room is doing well, holding on to the remaining leaves..oh well, am glad it is okay. I did give it a sip of water, since the leaves shows no sign of dropping. Observing similar to my Adeniums and actually seeing new leaf growth on the Adenium, so gave that one some water too.

My Plumie has been in now for a couple of weeks near an East window. Has not missed a beat. No leaf drop - hell they are still growing. And no browning. WAIT - let me go check.... (well - that didn't take long. No kidding - it is only 6 feet away in my Living room.) Looks like the day I brought it in. (BTW - between IT and me is a 5 foot tall White Bird of Paradise plant.)

I had gorgeous white birds when I lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I did not bring any with me when we moved to Starkville twenty years ago. The birds would have to be brought inside for the winter and they simply take up too much room.

Cold rain, just steady drizzle, this morning right on cue..hope Plumie Celadine enjoys it One of the few times we manage to have 80% ++ humidity. This is good, at least once a week, gives time for the plants to dry out.

Tarev -

Deciding to just leave Plumeria Celadine outdoors, and covering it since we have been having freeze warnings this past weekend.
Got to keep it simple, otherwise my hubby will never agree to bring it in and out, while I am away in the next few days.
So adding some decors, it is now a Christmas decor outdoors as well, instead of just being a big brown blob.

I like it! Now, drape a rope-light around and around and you'll really have a Christmas ornament. As a bonus, the rope-light will give off a little bit of warmth during the cold weather.

I used to run a long outdoor extension cord outside in my garden for the christmas lights, but I have abandoned that, when it gets rainy, just cannot find which segment was tripping and becomes frustrating . So I just keep the Christmas lights by the windows and as near to our outdoor sockets, just keeping it simple

I understand, Tarev. Those rope-lights are weather-proof though.

Yeah, they say that, same with our other lights, but it conks out just when you want them shining. And as far as I know it is the old style lights that emit a bit more warmth, the LED's don't. Anyways, we still have some good warmth daytime, hope it holds well

Here is a Christmas tree I did a few years back.

I bought the "old-fashion" ones, not the LED. The rope lights are sealed in a clear, vinyl tube, and there is virtually no way to have water get to the lights.

That's quite pretty Hetty!

drdawg said:I understand, Tarev. Those rope-lights are weather-proof though.

Not true Ken. Even the lights that say when one goes out they all don't LIE!!!!

I even spent $ 20 on this tool that was supposed to help find bulbs that are out. DOES NOT WORK.

I detest christmas lights and my street is part of Candy Cane Lane - a tradition doing back to the early 50s.

Light goes out, just throw the string away and unbox a new one.



BTW Hetty - love the decorated Plumeria.

David, these lights are not Christmas lights. I have used these vinyl-tube enclosed lights for many years, in all kind of weather, and have never had a single one fail. Perhaps they were manufactured better back then. I don't know.

I am with you concerning much of the Christmas lights sold. Most are junk. Hey, I have one of those tools too. Another piece of worthless junk.