Last updated on June 12th, 2023 at 07:33 am
Caladium Fiesta has a unique appearance and is classified as a fancy leaf-type caladium. Caladium plants are popular ornamental aroids used for both potted and outdoor landscaping due to their colorful leaves and ease of cultivation. The creators of this new cultivar aimed to produce a compact plant with numerous leaves, attractive foliage, and excellent performance for both potted and outdoor use.
The botanical classification of the ‘Fiesta’ caladium plant is Araceae and its scientific name is Caladium×hortulanum. It is commonly known as Caladium. ‘Fiesta’ is a cultivar of this plant species.
‘Florida Cardinal’ was the female or seed parent of ‘Fiesta’ while ‘Florida Sweetheart’ (which holds a US Plant Patent) was the male or pollen parent.
Caladium Fiesta is the result of a breeding program that involved crossing the ‘Florida Cardinal’ cultivar with ‘Florida Sweetheart,’ a patented plant. The new cultivar was discovered and selected by the creators in Wimauma, Florida, in 2005, and has retained its distinctive features through nine generations of asexual propagation via tuber divisions since 2004.
| Biological Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Caladium ‘Fiesta’ |
| Scientific Name | Caladium×hortulanum |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous perennial |
| Plant Form | Upright, outwardly arching, and symmetrical |
| Growth Habit | Compact and mounding, dense foliage, suitable for containers of 10.0 cm or larger diameters or garden beds |
| Foliage Length (shadehouse-grown) | Approximately 18.7 cm |
| Foliage Width (shadehouse-grown) | Approximately 13.6 cm (flattened) |
| Foliage Shape | Ovate |
| Foliage Apex | Acuminate to acute |
| Foliage Base | Cordate |
| Foliage Margin | Entire |
| Foliage Texture (Upper Surface) | Smooth, glabrous |
| Foliage Texture (Lower Surface) | Smooth, glabrous; glaucous |
| Foliage Venation Pattern | Pinnate |
| Foliage Color (Upper Surface) | Close to white (RHS 155C) with bleeding of red-purple (RHS 60C) surrounding the midrib and primary veins. Netted veins of green (RHS 137A and 137B) appear throughout the leaf surface |
| Foliage Color (Lower Surface) | Close to greyed-green (RHS 191B) with bleeding of greyed-purple (RHS 185C) and blotching of yellow-white (RHS 155B). Netted veins of greyed-green (RHS 191A) throughout the underside |
| Inflorescence Description | Upright hooded spathe surrounding a columnar spadix borne on an upright scape. Spadix carries sessile, simple female and male flowers separated into two zones. Female flowers are arranged on the lower one-third of the spadix; male flowers are arranged on the upper two-thirds of the spadix. Sterile flowers develop between female and male flower zones. Spadix constricts near the sterile flower zone. Plants of ‘Fiesta’ produce inflorescences only occasionally |
| Fragrance | None detected |
| Natural Flowering Season/Longevity | Plants of ‘Fiesta’ may flower in spring or early summer in central Florida. Flowers develop about seven weeks after growth commences. Inflorescences last about four days before fading |
| Disease/Pest Resistance | Good level of resistance to Xanthomonas leaf spot |
| Temperature Tolerance | Tolerant to temperatures ranging from approximately 7° C. to approximately 40° C |
| Sunburn Tolerance | High levels of tolerance to sunburns |
Table of Contents
Plant description
The ‘Fiesta’ caladium plant is a herbaceous perennial that grows in an upright and outwardly arching, symmetrical form. The plant has a compact and mounding growth habit, with dense foliage that is suitable for containers of 10.0 cm or larger diameters, as well as garden beds. The leaf petioles arise from the tubers, and as they develop, they become mostly semi-upright and curving outwardly.
The height of the ‘Fiesta’ plant, from soil level to the top of the leaf plane, when grown in shade houses, is approximately 23 cm. Meanwhile, the height of the plant from the soil level to the top of the inflorescences is approximately 26 cm. Shadehouse-grown plants have a spread of approximately 42 cm x 50 cm, making them suitable for use in a variety of garden settings. Overall, the ‘Fiesta’ plant has dense and attractive foliage that makes it an excellent choice for both container and landscape use.
The foliage of Fiesta Caladium
The leaves of the Caladium ‘Fiesta’ are ovate in shape and have a length of approximately 18.7 cm and a width of approximately 13.6 cm. The apex of the leaf is acuminate to acute, the base is cordate, and the margin is entire. The upper surface of the leaf is smooth and glabrous, while the lower surface is smooth and glaucous.
The venation pattern is pinnate. The fully expanded leaves have a center that is close to white with bleeding of red-purple surrounding the midrib and primary veins. Netted veins of green appear throughout the leaf surface. The border and margins are close to green, the basal notch is close to greyed-purple, and the venation of the midrib is close to red-purple.
On the lower surface, the center is close to greyed-green with bleeding of greyed-purple and blotching of yellow-white. Netted veins of greyed-green are visible throughout the underside, with a line of greyed-purple running from the basal notch to the sinus cavity. The border and margins are close to greyed-green, and the venation of the midrib is close to yellow-white.
Overall, the Caladium ‘Fiesta’ has beautiful and unique foliage that is perfect for adding color and texture to any garden or container. The leaves are large, ovate in shape, and have a smooth and glabrous texture.
The upper surface of the leaves has netted veins of green and bleeding of red-purple, while the lower surface has netted veins of greyed-green and bleeding of greyed-purple. The color of the border and margins is close to green, while the basal notch is close to greyed-purple. The plant is suitable for containers of 10 cm or larger diameters or garden beds and has a compact and mounding growth habit with dense foliage.
Propagation
Caladium Fiesta can be propagated using two methods: by planting the tubers directly, or by dividing the tubers into segments.
When propagated in summer, the plant will take approximately seven to ten days to initiate roots at a temperature of 32°C. In winter, the process may take up to two to three weeks at a temperature of 24°C.
The tubers of ‘Fiesta’ are jumbo-sized, measuring 6.4 to 8.9 cm in diameter, and are made up of six to nine dominant buds. The height of the tubers is between 2 to 3 cm while the diameter ranges from 5.7 to 8.2 cm. The tubers are thick and starchy inside, with slightly brittle segments between them. The color of the epidermis is close to brown, while the interior is yellow. The roots of the ‘Fiesta’ plant are dense, thick, white in color, and fleshy in texture.
Suitability for container
The ‘Fiesta’ caladium plant is an ideal choice for container planting due to its compact and mounding growth habit, as well as its dense foliage. The plant can thrive in containers with a diameter of 10.0 cm or larger, making it suitable for a range of container sizes. Its semi-upright and outwardly curving leaf petioles give the plant an attractive appearance, making it a popular choice for indoor and outdoor containers.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the ‘Fiesta’ plant’s tuberous root system is well-suited to container growing, as it is able to store nutrients and water, allowing the plant to withstand periods of drought or neglect. With proper care and attention, ‘Fiesta’ plants can thrive in containers for several months, providing a long-lasting source of vibrant color and visual interest. Overall, the ‘Fiesta’ caladium’s suitability for container growing, combined with its attractive foliage, make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add color and texture to their container gardens.
Plant care
Plants of ‘Fiesta’ have been found to possess a good level of resistance to Xanthomonas leaf spot, a bacterial disease that commonly affects plants. This makes ‘Fiesta’ a suitable choice for growers who are looking for plants that can resist this disease.
In terms of temperature tolerance, ‘Fiesta’ is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from approximately 7° C to approximately 40° C. This means that ‘Fiesta’ can be grown in a variety of conditions and is able to thrive in both cool and warm climates.
Furthermore, ‘Fiesta’ has been observed to have high levels of sunburn tolerance, which is an important characteristic for plants that are grown in areas with high levels of sunlight exposure. This makes ‘Fiesta’ a great choice for gardeners who live in sunny locations and are looking for a plant that can withstand harsh sun exposure without being damaged.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ‘Fiesta’ is a remarkable new cultivar that has many desirable traits. Its early sprouting and fuller potted plant production with abundant foliage make it an excellent choice for container gardening.
Furthermore, its expected performance in the landscape is a promising characteristic. The ‘Fiesta’ plant is a beautiful addition to the fancy novelty cultivar group and shows potential as a valuable cultivar in the horticultural industry.
Its good level of resistance to Xanthomonas leaf spot, high tolerance to sunburn, and broad temperature range adds to its appeal as an ideal plant for both indoor and outdoor settings. Overall, ‘Fiesta’ is a fantastic choice for those looking for a beautiful and easy-to-grow plant for their gardens, patios, or balconies.
Gardening is my passion and growing plants indoors has always been a stress relief for me. Grow a banana tree in my apartment once (although failed to produce bananas).
