Caladiums (Caladium x hortulanum) are popular ornamental plants prized for their vibrant foliage and unique patterns. The great majority of caladium tubers used by the U.S. and the world are produced in Florida. The tuber production process typically begins in March, with harvesting taking place between November and February. During this period, plants are exposed to high temperatures, high radiation, high relative humidity, heavy rainfall, and tropical storms, resulting in multiple stresses on the plants. Research in other crops has demonstrated the effectiveness of clay-based products in reducing leaf temperatures and protecting plants from environmental and/or biological stresses. This study aimed to assess the plant growth, quality, and tuber production of five caladium cultivars ('Tapestry', 'Lava Glow', 'Wonderland', 'Pink Panther', and 'Summer Pink') under different kaolin clay treatments. Field-grown plants were sprayed throughout the season with either kaolin, kaolin with red dye, or left untreated (control) to assess their response. An adjuvant was added to prevent excessive washout from rainfall. Data collected over two seasons included plant height, canopy coverage, and volume (per plot) extracted from multispectral images captured by a small uncrewed aerial system, leaf temperature using an infrared thermometer, chlorophyll content using a SPAD meter, and subjective ratings for plant color display, leaf health, and plant fullness using a scale from 1 to 5. At harvest, tuber production was evaluated through fresh weight, dry weight, and production index. Results showed that the growth curves for plant height, canopy coverage, and volume exhibited a bell-shaped curve, with an initial linear growth and a maximum peak in early to mid-September for most cultivars, except 'Summer Pink', which peaked later. Treatment differences were not statistically significant, with cultivar variations being the primary factor. However, kaolin and kaolin red treatments effectively reduced leaf temperatures during the 2023 production season, with kaolin red also receiving a higher rating for color display. Plants under kaolin treatments displayed lower chlorophyll content compared to untreated plants. Tuber production was unaffected by the treatments but showed differences among the cultivars, with 'Tapestry' producing the highest tuber dry weight. The production index, which accounts for tuber grading, number, and relative economic values, revealed that 'Summer Pink' had the highest value compared to 'Tapestry'. This study provides valuable insights into the growth behavior of caladium cultivars and the potential benefits of using kaolin treatments as a crop protection strategy.
