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Highlands Today

Rains Producing Strong Caladium Crops

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: July 3, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Caladium farmers are smiling.

Farmers pointed to more than a week of daily rains as favorable for the crop outlook and the August Caladium Festival, but cautioned that too much of good thing could become a negative.

Carolyn Phypers, of Happiness Farms, said the caladium crop forecast is "looking pretty good."
"The rain helped out," said Phypers. "If it doesn't drown them out, we'll be fine. Sometimes you can get too much rain, but we need the rain, so we can't complain."

Don Bates, of Bates, Sons & Daughters, said the fields are draining well and Tuesday's high winds and heavy rains in much of the area mostly bypassed the caladium fields south of Lake Istokpoga.
High winds in August during hurricanes can damage a mature crop, but right now, the key to a healthy harvest is a good root system.

"We like cooler days with cloudy weather and rain," said Bates. "If I could get a half inch a day of rain, we'd have tremendous crop."

Heavy rains can also leave standing water and sunny days, those puddles reflect the sun which can burn caladium leaves. Caladium growers harvest bulbs and discard the colorful foliage.

Marlene Harrison, of Lake Placid Bulb Company, said smaller bulbs are in higher demand than larger ones. A single, smaller bulb can fill a 6-inch pot, while a larger one will not add much foliage.

"You can't tell what's underground until you begin digging," said Harrison. "You may have a huge top, but your bulb may not be very big. You can't look at the top and tell what's underground."

Harrison said that recent rains and overcast skies have saved farmers from dealing with Southern Blight. The blight occurs when the sun shines with dry heat for long periods of time.

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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