Caladium Raspberry Moon

Raspberry Moon is a patented variety from caladium breeder Abbott-IPCO.

It is a fancy-leaf variety with a light-green or yellow border and background that will be blotched. Blotches range from dark raspberry pink to red. They can cover 70 percent of the leaf.

Plants should be de-eyed to improve pot habit. They can take full sun and will reach 18 inches or taller.

Here are some general guidelines from Abbott-IPCO for planting caladiums in the landscape:

* Cover bulbs with 1 1/2- 2 1/2 inches of soil when planting. This will ensure adequate soil moisture around roots as they emerge from the bulb crown.

* Do not store bulbs below 60° or above 90°.

* Growth regulators are usually not needed. Choose the correct variety to achieve the size needed.

* Use a well-draining growing medium.

* Watch pH. A pH above 7.0 may cause brown spots.

* White and pink cultivars may receive “sunburn” if they are suddenly exposed to high light.

* Fertilize regularly. Slow-release fertilizers work best in sandy soil.

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For more: Abbott-IPCO, (214) 341-1585; www.abbott-ipco.com.

- Jyme Mariani