Susan,
Sometimes the stems break because birds have tried to sit on them or
squirrels think they're there to leap upon.
Meanwhile, the rocks will just be a reservoir for stagnant water and fungi.
Don't use them next year. Don't ever water just because you think you
should. Stick your finger in the soil to see if it is moist an inch or so
down. If it's not, then water. The caladiums, being bulbs probably don't
need as much fertilizer as you're giving them. All that N may be
encouraging soft growth that's prone to breakage.
Good luck,
Libby
libby@igc.apc.org Libby J. Goldstein phone & fax: 215-465-8878
Philadelphia USDA zone 7A Sunset zone 32
My garden must be n-dimensional if it's out here in cyberspace.
