Captivated by Caladiums

I must confess my first caladium started out as a sympathy shop.

A few months back, the truck was in the garage for a few weeks, which necessitated me walking down to the village every day for basic shopping from the roadside vendors and the local Mom&Pop convenience store. And the caladium lady had a little bamboo table along to roadside, right next to the lime lady.

For the first few days, I just marveled at the incredible diversity in the patterns, the amazing pinks and greens. And then I felt BAD to see this old grandma faithfully standing there, day after day, and selling almost nothing. And so finally, on about day 5, I bought a little caladium for the princely sum of about $1.50.

It had two leaves when I bought it. And then the following day I bought a second one, which had only one leaf. $1.

But I think what has captivated me most, more than the diversity between various types of caladium, is the sheer diversity of each and every leaf on the same plant!

As each new leaf unfurls, It's exciting to see what it will look like!

I'm CURIOUS what exactly makes one leaf different from the next one....!

My mission today is to go and get some slightly bigger terracotta pots, and some potting mix for them. Caladiums (why does my old convent school girls self itch to write Caladia?) thrive here in moist tropical shade gardens, and seem to prefer moist, light, humus-rich soil.

Botanical name:
Caladium bicolor, syn. Caladium x hortulanum
Common names:
Caladium, angel wings, and elephant ears (a name shared by several different species of large-leaf tropical plants)
Plant type:
Tuberous tropical perennial
Zones:
Perennial in zones 9-11; can be grown as an annual or houseplant elsewhere.
Height:
18 to 24 inches; dwarf forms under 12" are also available.
Season of interest:
From June until frost.
Leaf types:
Caladiums are divided into two main leaf types:
Fancy-leaf caladiums generally have large heart-shaped leaves, sometimes growing to more than a foot long.
Strap-leaf varieties typically have narrower arrow- or lance-shaped foliage. Plants are more compact and a bit more cold tolerant.
Although the leaves of both types tend to be thin and fragile, some newer varieties, such as Proven Winners’ Heart to Heart™ line, have been bred to have thicker leaves, making them more sun tolerant and resistant to tearing.
Toxicity:
All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Keep out of reach of pets and children. Sap from the leaves or stems can also cause minor skin irritation.
Source - How to Care for Caladiums

Caladiums originate in South America but thrive here in Asia. They're related to the massive Elephant Ears that I love so much, and there is something so strikingly LOVELY about the pink variegated leaves poking out from beneath something else in a damp corner of the garden.

Fascinated by the diversity and have arguably never enjoyed a plant as much as I do this one!! Serious enjoyment bang for one's plant-lady buck.