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Multicolor fairies in summer- Caladium

Multicolor fairies in summer- Caladium

Do you ever worried about how to brighten your garden or house in such hot summer which is also low season of flowers? Taiwan Seed Improvement and Propagation Station, C.O.A. ( TSIPS ) would like to introduce one of the most colorful and vivid ornamental crops in summer- That is Caladium.

Caladium ( Caladium ×hortulanum Birdsey) is a genus of herbaceous perennial bulb flowering plants in the family Araceae . It is native to South America and approximately 95 % of caladium tubers used worldwide are produced in Florida, America. Caladium is grown for their spectacularly colorful foliage. There are two basic types of caladium cultivars: fancy- and lance- (strap-)leafed. Fancy-leafed caladium is known for its large, heart-shaped leaves that grow up to 60-70cm tall and have a stem towards the center. Fancy-leafed caladium is thrive in part shade and hence a great addition to beds in a shade area of garden. Lance- or strap-leafed varieties are characterized by their elongated, narrow leaves with petiole attached at or near the edge of the leaf blade. Plants of lance-leaved cultivars generally are more compact with smaller leaves and shorter petioles than fancy-leaved caladiums. Therefore, lance-leaved cu ltivars are suitable for producing potted plants.

TSIPS indicated that, in Taiwan, caladium is mainly sold as potted plants in summer, yet used as bedding plants under street trees or for landscaping. Since the colorful foliage, caladium also has potential uses as cut foliage and to be a good addition in a table flower arrangement or a bouquet. Although there are fewer flowers available in the heat and humidity summer, caladium is still thriving. For the versatility of caladium, TSIPS have been breeding caladium for more than a decade. A new variety ‘TSS No.1-Dancing Fire’ was developed and also granted for the plant variety rights in 2013. ‘TSS No.1-Dancing Fire’ is characterized by triangle leaves, variegation in leaves is veined with a green margin, without spots on leaves, and approximately 30-40 cm plant height. It also has good cold resistance and suitable for a potted plant. TSIPS is going to develop more elite varieties to increase the diversification and application of caladium in market, and then improve the development of caladium industry.

Fig1. Spectacularly colorful foliage of caladium is a good addition in garden or for landscaping.

▲Fig1. Spectacularly colorful foliage of caladium is a good addition in garden or for landscaping.

Fig 2. Caladium could also be used as cut leaves in a bouquet.

▲Fig 2. Caladium could also be used as cut leaves in a bouquet.

Fig3. Elite variety for potted plant use,‘TSS No.1-Dancing Fire’ developed by TSIPS.

▲Fig3. Elite variety for potted plant use,‘TSS No.1-Dancing Fire’ developed by TSIPS.

Contact us for more information : Lanting KUO, Taiwan Seed Improvement and Propagation Station, C.O.A.

Tel : +886- 4 - 25825461

E-mail : klt@tss.gov.