This is taken from the planter in front of my place last year

Another bulb you'll find in the garden centers during this time of year are the caladiums.  They look more like dirty stones in their clear bags, but the package covers suggest otherwise.  This particular plant offers a variety of color and leaf design.  I personally love caladiums as they add a really nice look to the garden. Plant them with other tropicals to mix it up a little.  Some rules about growing them here in Tucson and some of my observations working with them.....
1.  The whiter the leaf; the more shade they'll take
2.  Red to pink varieties like a bit more sun
3. Like with most tropicals, do not put in direct desert sun or you'll burn their fragile designs
4.  Don't put into the ground until mid March and do not expect growth until it is hot again. At the end of May or beginning of June, you should see something green sticking out of the ground.  The ground, normally, should be at around 50 degrees, but with this plant, I actually think it has to be warmer.  A lot of people think that when it's 80 degrees during the day in February, plants will grow.  However, you need the right conditions.  The ground is always several degrees cooler after a "cold" winter and that is caused by our overnight lows. Once air and ground catch up to the 90-100 degree days, these caladiums will burst forth from the ground. Once they've started to leaf, make sure you water regularly. Just know that they take off slowly here.
4.  Again, these plants, like most tropical bulbs, do well in pots and planters with loose rich soil

Taken in the Amazon, I found a patch of these beautiful caladiums growing in the wild.

These bulbs are easy to grow and I highly recommend trying them out in your own gardens.  Until next time, see you in the garden:)

Labels: caladium bulbs, caladium care in Tucson, caladiums, caring for caladiums in Tucson, growing caladiums

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It's time to get back to my gardening journal.  The intent of my write is to help gardeners in Tucson that are either questioning if a plant will grow here or help out new gardeners who are trying to figure out what to buy in the market.  This is a priority to me because right now stores are going to be putting out boxes and boxes of bulbs and other fun things to put in our gardens.  A person may ask, "Can we even grow such things in the desert?"  And my answer is a whole hearted, "Yes."  I'll share with you some of my experiences with these plants and what does and does not do well here in Tucson.  There are a couple of things you need to know first.

The BULB RULES

1. You can buy bulbs now, but do not plant. Keep them in a dry and shady place.
2. If there are bulbs in the ground right now, but no foliage, be careful not to overwater and cause the  existing bulbs to rot.
3. Be patient.  Ground temps need to be at least 50 degrees F before anything starts leafing out(I'm specifically speaking about caladiums and elephant ears here)
4. Once summer arrives and the plants leaf out, they will need to be watered regularly....sometimes daily. Some are more high maintenance than others.  
5. Most bulbs, etc enjoy morning sun but struggle in afternoon sun not the heat. Cannas are the exception.
6. Did I mention water?:)
7. My recommendation is to put all tubers, bulbs, corns, and rhyzomes in pots because they require more water:)
8. Things generally start taking off the middle of May and into June.
9. Many bulbs once established love a good fertilizer......manure seems to work wonders.
10. Do not separate newer baby plants from the bulbs until it's warm enough to transplant.
11. Bulbs like loose soil.
12. Asian markets that sell "taro" roots, which are delicious by the way fried, are also a variety of elephant ears.  If Wal-Mart or other gardening places don't have them, think outside the box and buy some large and healthy taro roots.  Sometimes it's cheaper than buying them at the gardening center. 
13. Be wary of ordering online.  Bulbs come well packaged but you end up spending too much money for the tiny bulbs in the mail.  In my opinion, it's wasted money.  Be patient and keep your eyes open at the garden centers.  They'll come:)

There is so much information to share with you all during this time of year.  I wish I had people there for me when trying all this stuff out, but it hasn't been lost.  I've kept the data and am sharing it with you all so that you may have a better success trying out these fun and exciting plants.  They make wonderful fillers and add that beautiful tropical foliage you seek in your desert garden.  Stay tuned for the next series of posts on bulbs and related plants. Remember, ALWAYS have a place for them in the garden.  Plan out the areas well before going shopping or you'll waste A LOT of money.  Until tomorrow, stay tuned for the Elephant Ear and the many varieties.  There will also be a follow up post on Alocasia vs. Colocasia.  Until next time......

Labels: Asian Markets, caladiums, cannas, crocus, elephant ears, freesia, gladiolas, growing bulbs in Tucson, hyacinth, narcissus, rhyzomes, taro root, tubers, Tucson

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The Satsuma Plum Tree The Caladium Garden inspired by the Amazon caladiums in Peru along the Tambobata River Mulberry Tree pics above

The beginning of summer and the heat of over 100 degrees with burning sun can be challenging. However, with a bit of planning, anyone can take nothing and make it into something. My patience is being rewarded by some really beautiful plants growing around the property. I am slowly adding a plant here or there and filling in smaller areas(and the large ones). The problem is that it is hot and I need to dig holes. Quite simply....desert ground is difficult to dig...it is sun baked and has the ability to break shovels and other garden tools. This weekend promises to be a cool one for us and so I will make my trek outside and get several more holes into the ground. I don't have many more tree spaces available so I am being really picky about what goes in the last 4 or 5 spots as they will create my canopy around the property. I have several trees in mind...one being the mulberry tree. A difficult decision. This short lived tree(25 years)is illegal in the city of Tucson as an ornamental, but the berry providing tree is not illegal. The leaves are beautiful and the fruit delicious....but the fruit can also stain sidewalks. I am planning on putting it further back from the sidewalk so we won't have the mess. I didn't know at first if I should plant this tree, but like everything, it has a cycle and will be enjoyed for years.....so why not? I found this article on why the ornamental is banned.... ABSTRACT: U.S. JOURNAL: TUCSON, ARIZ. about efforts to ban further planting of the fruitless mulberry tree in Tucson. The problem is that the tree gives off pollen, which is what a lot of people move to Arizona to avoid. People with allergies make up a sizable minority in Tucson, but people who don't suffer from them tend to take a humorous view of the subject. Ted Craig, editorial-page editor of the Tucson Citizen, began an editorial called "Mulberry Silliness" with the word "Ah-choo!" and ended it with the word "Gesundheit!"The argument against making any changes in the desert such as introducing non-native greenery, Craig wrote, "is just great if you happen to be a horned toad...and you like to breathe dust." Craig made a lot of people angry with his editorial, but that is not a new experience for him. While talking to Craig writer realized that the mulberry controversy had some elements of a class issue. The expensive houses have lawns landscaped in "desert style" but the poorer people haven't the money, or the taste or the natural setting to make that kind of landscaping possible. Craig's answer to people who object to introducing non-native plants into the area is simple: Tell them they're "non-native" themselves. End of abstract.

The plant itself is a beautiful tree that attracts native butterflies and produces a delicious dark berry off the tree. Above are some pics of the tropical looking tree but xeriscape friendly to the desert.

The citrus trees are performing well. The kumquat, lime, and lemon are all growing. However, the orange tree is being attacked by catepillars. The plant seems to be doing alright for now.

I also put in another plant well on the 922 side of the building in the courtyard. It looks great and I can't wait to put in the last two wells for that section. It will look really nice. Work continues slowly but steadily. As one section is finished, another one begins and it is constantly like this. I will say that I am seeing the changes and it is encouraging. It is beginning to feel like a woodsy, yet sunny, retreat with birds, crickets, and butterflies all around. When the final product is finished, it should be quite the show for all involved. Until next week.....I have holes to dig during this unexpected beautiful sunny and in the 80's weekend.

Labels: caladiums, castor, colocasia esculenta, mulberry

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