Abbott-Ipco Offers De-Eyed & Pre-Finished Caladiums

Jennifer Zurko

Growers of potted caladiums are constantly looking for ways to produce a plant with more leaves, better overall shape, and better shipping and keeping qualities. A number of chemical combinations, such as Bonzi and B-Nine, have been used successfully, but the optimal result usually starts with de-eying, or the removal of the tubers’ dominant eye, so all lateral eyes will emerge simultaneously.

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Pink Cloud Caladium, showing the de-eyed plant on the left, non de-eyed on the right.

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While some growers still do this process manually or with de-eying machines, Abbott-Ipco now offers de-eyed caladium plants at a nominal charge.

Any order placed before November 15, 2011, can be de-eyed, saving the grower valuable time and labor during what is traditionally the most expensive time.

Abbott-Ipco and Classic Caladiums are also offering all of their new and patented varieties, as well as the regular caladium assortments, in pre-finished stage. This eliminates de-eying, potting, heating costs, labor and the critical first eight weeks of bench time when growers may need the available bench space for other valuable crops. It takes about 10-21 days on the bench to finish, allowing growers to grow another caladium crop for Mother’s Day or later in the first available bench space.

For more information, www.abbot-ipco.com. GT