UF 44-4: A Dwarf Red Lance-leaved Caladium Cultivar

Abstract

Cultivated caladiums (Caladium·hortulanum Birdsey) are valued for their bright colorful leaves (Evans et al., 1992). They can be broadly classified into three groups based on leaf shape: fancy, lance, and strap (Deng and Harbaugh, 2006; Wilfret, 1986). Fancy-leaved caladiums have heart-shaped leaves with three main veins, petiole attachment peltate, and they have two large basal lobes. Strap-leaved caladiums have narrow, linear leaves with one main vein and no obvious basal lobes. Lance leaves are intermediate between fancy and strap types with leaf blades that are broad sagittate to cordate– lanceolate. Basal lobes on different lanceleaved cultivars range from obvious to barely visible. In addition to leaf shape, lance-leaved caladiums differ from fancy-leaved caladiums in a number of plant, foliar, and tuber characteristics. Plants of lance-leaved caladiums are generally shorter and have thicker and denser leaves than fancy-leaved caladiums. Tubers are more branched, and main eyes are less dominant over secondary eyes compared with fancyleaved cultivars. De-eyeing (removal or destruction of the main eye or bud on tubers) is generally not necessary when forcing multibranched tubers of lance-leaved caladiums in containers, even in small pots (4 inches in diameter). With a compact growth habit, lance-leaved caladiums are very adaptable to different types and sizes of containers. Shorter and/or smaller pot plants are easier and less expensive to ship. Lance-leaved caladiums also appear to be more resilient to sunburns, wind damage, drought, and shading than fancy-leaved caladiums. These characteristics allow lance-leaved caladiums to perform well in the landscape when such stresses occur. The majority (greater than 95%) of caladium tubers used in the United States and abroad are produced in Florida. Florida growers supply as many as 50 to 70 million caladium tubers to greenhouse growers, nurseries, and homeowners throughout the United States and Canada and to some 40 countries in Europe and Asia. The majority of caladium cultivars in commercial production are the fancy-leaved type (Bell et al., 1998; Deng et al., 2005). However, during the past two or three decades, the demand for lance-leaved cultivars has increased steadily. For example, Florida growers planted greater than 50% more acres with lance-leaved cultivars in 2003 than in 1998 (Bell et al., 1998; Deng et al., 2005). Lance-leaved cultivars are expected to gain even greater popularity in the future. UF 44-4 is an attractive lance-leaved cultivar with a novel combination of leaf characteristics (bright red color, slightly undulate, and rounded leaf shape) (Figs. 1 and 2). In replicated field and greenhouse trials, it was comparable or superior to ‘Florida Red Ruffles’ and ‘Florida Sweetheart’ (the most popular red lance-leaved commercial cultivar and the most popular lance-leaved cultivar in all colors, respectively) in tuber yield potential, pot plant quality, and landscape performance. UF 44-4 is well suited for producing pot plants and hanging baskets, and de-eyeing is not required for forcing in smallor medium-sized containers (11.4 to 15.3 cm).