UF/IFAS scientists grow quality caladium varieties

Caladiums are a popular crop for Florida growers, and Terri Bates knows that if she wants to sell a good caladium, she can count on University of Florida scientists, including Zhanao Deng.

“We grow 12 UF/IFAS varieties developed by Dr. Deng, and they are a huge asset to our business as well as the landscape/retail garden center industry,” says Bates, owner of Bates Sons & Daughters in Lake Placid, Florida. The Sunshine State serves as the sole source of caladium bulbs for the world, and since 1976, UF/IFAS researchers have been breeding varieties of this ornamental.

Deng has developed 34 caladium varieties during his 20-year UF/IFAS career, including the popular ‘Royal Flush,’ ‘Tapestry,’ ‘Fiesta,’ ‘Sizzle’ and ‘Lava Glow.’ ‘Lava Glow is his most recent caladium. He describes it in a new UF/IFAS Extension document and in a new journal article. The cultivar grows well in containers, and can be planted it in landscapes in sunshine or shade, said Deng, one of 31 UF/IFAS plant breeding faculty members across Florida.

“As a plant breeder, I am passionate about developing new cultivars that can satisfy needs of the environmental horticulture industry and consumers,” says Deng. “Caladiums can rival many flowers with their colorful, attractive leaves. They are easy to grow, and their color shows well for many months. That’s one reason so many people love caladiums, either in pots or the garden.”

Editor's note: For more on caladiums, be sure to see Brooke Bilyj's Meet the Grower column from our February issue here.