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Technique: Caladium de-eying and propagation


Variegated colorful caladium leaves
you may be able to simply break off the tooth-like growing points which will cause the auxiliary buds to grow. If not, you will instead have to 'scoop' the dominant eye.

It is done exactly as it sounds: with the tip of a knife, the dominant eye is scooped out. In the process, you have to be careful not to damage the surrounding dormant auxiliary buds which can be quite close. With a bit of experience, and taking your time, it is possible to identify the active primary and the dormant auxiliary growing points.

Scooping Caladium
On the picture, I have exposed the active growing point and the dormant eyes surrounding the terminal bud. With a knife, gently dig about 1/4" down and lift (scoop) out the terminal bud. In the picture, you can see how one of the auxiliary buds are very close to the dominant buds which therefore often require a steady hand, and a magnifying glass. The tuber shown is a very small size #2 tuber which would normally develop only one leaf. Scooping out the growing point will cause 2-3 leaves to develop which produces a much nicer plant. As a special trick, you can also start the tubers in moist sphagnum indoors in early spring to force out the growing point, which will also make the auxiliary buds swell somewhat. At this time, it is easier scoop.

Propagating Caladium
The new plant, with more leaves to help photosynthesizing, have the potential to grow into larger tubers if given plenty of water, fertilizer, and bright light (not full sun, except in the north where caladium can be grown in full sun). The tuber will build starch reserves and improve in size. Tubers which have improved in size when lifted will as mentioned consist of several individual tubers "fused" together ("composite" tuber).

To propagate caladium, simply pull, or cut, the individual tubers apart (divide). Make sure to leave a few eyes on each division (see composite tuber above).

Note, while caladium tubers can handle considerable shade, to propagate tubers, try to give plenty of bright light or even half day sun in the north. Plants grown in deep shade will seldom generate enough energy to enlarge the tuber.

Sources used:

The copyright of the article Technique: Caladium de-eying and propagation in Seeds & Plants is owned by Kenneth Joergensen. Permission to republish Technique: Caladium de-eying and propagation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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