How to Grow Cyclamen: Essential Tips for Successful Cultivation
How to Grow Cyclamen?
To grow cyclamen plants, start by choosing a plant with lots of buds just starting to open and sturdy leaves.
Cyclamen prefers bright indirect light and cool temperatures, with ideal daytime temperatures of 60-65ºF and night temperatures around 50ºF.
Water thoroughly when the soil looks and feels dry, avoiding watering the crown or center of the plant.
Cyclamen plants prefer bottom watering or having the pot stood in water for 15 minutes.
They require high humidity and moist soil to continue blooming.
Remove spent blossoms to encourage continuous flowering.
During the summer, cyclamen plants go into dormancy and should be watered and fertilized less.
The tuber can be removed from the soil and stored in dry vermiculite at around 50ºF for 6-12 weeks.
After dormancy, repot the tuber in a well-draining soil mix with the upper half of the tuber above the surface.
Resume watering when new leaves form and continue fertilization until flower buds appear.
Remember to control pests such as aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips with appropriate insecticidal soap or pesticides labeled for use on houseplants.
Key Points:
- Choose a plant with lots of buds and sturdy leaves
- Cyclamen prefers bright indirect light and cool temperatures
- Water thoroughly when the soil is dry, avoiding watering the crown
- Bottom watering is preferred for cyclamen plants
- They require high humidity and moist soil for continuous blooming
- Remove spent blossoms to encourage continuous flowering
Did You Know?
1. Cyclamen flowers have a unique floral scent that resembles the fragrance of freshly baked bread.
2. The name “cyclamen” is derived from the Ancient Greek word “kyklaminos,” meaning “circle,” which refers to the tuber’s round shape.
3. In ancient times, Cyclamen was considered a symbol of love and was often given as a token of affection.
4. The tubers of some cyclamen species have a unique ability to twist themselves deeper into the ground as they grow, using a coiled leaf-like structure.
5. Cyclamen plants are highly adaptive and can adjust their growth patterns based on the amount of sunlight they receive, making them a fascinating plant to cultivate indoors.
Introduction: The Colorful Cyclamen Plant
Cyclamen, a popular florist plant, is known for its vibrant and delicate blooms. It is traditionally sold during the winter months. This stunning plant is a hybrid species of Cyclamen persicum, one of the 23 species belonging to the Cyclamen genus. It is native to alpine woodlands in parts of southern Europe, western Asia, and North Africa near the Mediterranean. Over time, cyclamen plants have been cultivated and bred into numerous cultivars, resulting in enhanced flower size, color range, and petal form. These cultivars are mass-produced as pot plants using hybrid seeds, providing a wide range of options for gardening enthusiasts and indoor plant lovers.
Characteristics And Cultivation Of Cyclamen
Cyclamen persicum is a tender plant species, from which cultivars are derived. It cannot tolerate frost and primarily blooms during the winter months. Because of this, it is an ideal houseplant. When purchasing a cyclamen, make sure to choose a plant with numerous buds just starting to open and sturdy, succulent leaves. The leaves themselves can be either rounded or heart-shaped, in shades of dark green or marbled with white or silver. Some cultivars even have slightly toothed or lobed margins and may display a purplish underside. Cyclamen plants can grow into a mound up to 8 inches tall and produce flowers that remain in bloom for an impressive three months.
- Cyclamen persicum is a tender plant species.
- It cannot tolerate frost.
- It primarily blooms during the winter months, making it an ideal houseplant.
- When purchasing a cyclamen, look for numerous buds and sturdy leaves.
- The leaves can be rounded or heart-shaped in various shades.
- Some cultivars have toothed or lobed margins and a purplish underside.
- Cyclamen plants can grow up to 8 inches tall.
- The flowers remain in bloom for three months.
Blooming And Flower Varieties
Cyclamen flowers are a sight to behold. Suspended above the foliage on slender stems, these flowers resemble graceful butterflies in flight. The flowers consist of five reflexed and twisted petals that are joined at the base in a short tube. The color range of cyclamen flowers is extensive, with options ranging from pure white to various shades of pink, lavender, and red. In addition, several cultivars have been developed with unique features such as double flowers, a white edge on the petals known as a picotee, eye-catching stripes, or ruffled edges. Some miniature varieties display standard-sized leaves but produce tiny, lightly scented flowers.
Growing Conditions: Light, Temperature, And Watering
Cyclamen plants are relatively easy to grow, but they require particular growing conditions to thrive. They prefer bright indirect light and cool temperatures, ideally ranging from 60-65ºF during the daytime and dropping to around 50ºF at night. By keeping the plants cooler, their individual flowers and the overall blooming season can be extended.
To encourage continuous blooming, it is important to remove spent blossoms. High humidity and moist soil are crucial for the cyclamen plant to continue blooming. When watering, it is best to thoroughly moisten the soil when it appears and feels dry. However, it is essential to avoid watering the crown or center of the plant. Cyclamen plants prefer to be bottom watered or have the pot stood in water for approximately 15 minutes.
It is important to note that the soil should be allowed to almost dry out before watering again to prevent issues such as yellowing leaves. A useful tip to provide extra humidity is to place the pot on a tray filled with wet gravel, which will gradually release moisture into the air.
- Cyclamen plants prefer bright indirect light and cool temperatures
- Remove spent blossoms to encourage continuous blooming
- Thoroughly moisten the soil when dry
- Avoid watering the crown or center of the plant
- Bottom water or stand the pot in water for 15 minutes
- Allow the soil to almost dry out before watering again
- Provide extra humidity by placing the pot on wet gravel tray
Care And Maintenance Tips For Cyclamen
To ensure the healthy growth and development of cyclamen plants, proper care and maintenance are essential. These plants require fertilizer, but excessive use can lead to lush growth, making them susceptible to disease. It is advisable to use a low-nitrogen fertilizer or houseplant food every two weeks during the active growth period.
Cyclamen plants grow in a rosette formation from a tuberous base and can develop tubers up to 6 inches in diameter when grown in pots. In late spring, they enter a dormant phase that lasts for two to three months. During this period, watering and fertilization should be reduced. If desired, the dormant cyclamen can be moved outside for the summer, but it should not be allowed to remain wet while leafless and should be brought indoors before the first frost.
Alternatively, watering can be gradually withheld after the flowers finish blooming. Once the leaves have withered, the tuber can be removed from the soil and stored in dry vermiculite at around 50ºF for 6-12 weeks. After this summer dormancy period, the tuber can be repotted in a well-draining soil mix, with the upper half of the tuber above the surface. Watering can be resumed when the tuber begins forming new leaves, and fertilization can continue until flower buds start to form.
Common Pests And Diseases And How To Manage Them
Although cyclamen plants are generally resistant to pests and diseases, it is still possible for them to be attacked by aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, or thrips. If any of these pests are detected, insecticidal soap or pesticides specifically labeled for use on houseplants can be used to control them. It is important to closely monitor the infestation and take immediate action to prevent further damage. However, if a cyclamen plant becomes infested with cyclamen mites, it is recommended to discard the plant as these pests are notoriously difficult to control.
Regular inspection and maintenance of cyclamen plants are essential to keep them healthy and prevent infestations or diseases from taking hold.
Tip: Use insecticidal soap or pesticides labeled for houseplants to control aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, or thrips. Discard cyclamen plants infested with cyclamen mites.
- Keep a close eye on infestations
- Take immediate action to prevent further damage
Growing cyclamen plants can be a rewarding experience for plant enthusiasts and gardeners. By following these essential tips for successful cultivation, you can enjoy the beauty of their colorful blooms throughout the winter months. The wide range of cultivars available ensures that there is a cyclamen plant to suit every taste and preference. With the right care and maintenance, these stunning plants will flourish, bringing joy and vibrance to any indoor or outdoor space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cyclamen easy to grow?
Cyclamen can indeed be considered relatively easy to grow. When cared for correctly, they can thrive indoors and showcase their beauty for a significant period of time. It is important to provide them with suitable conditions, such as keeping them away from direct sunlight and radiators, to ensure their longevity. By maintaining a cool environment with adequate lighting, cyclamen can even continue flowering into April, further enhancing their appeal. Nonetheless, it is crucial to avoid excessive heat, as it can prompt early dormancy in these delicate plants.
Does cyclamen like sun or shade?
Cyclamen prefers a cool, bright environment but should be kept away from direct sunlight to thrive. It is crucial to maintain the soil moisture without overwatering, as excess water can be detrimental to the plant. If you wish for your cyclamen to bloom again in the next autumn, it is essential to allow it to go dormant during the summer by reducing watering.
What is the best way to plant cyclamen?
The best way to plant cyclamen is to choose a location that replicates their preferred natural habitat. Opt for an area around the base of deciduous trees or large shrubs where there is a balance between shade during summer and light moisture during autumn and winter. This environment will provide them with the optimal conditions for growth and blooming. Additionally, consider planting them around shrubs with vibrant stems to enhance their overall aesthetic appeal. If planting in pots, ensure that they are provided with well-draining soil and placed in a spot that receives adequate but not direct sunlight.
Is my cyclamen indoor or outdoor?
Cyclamen plants can be classified into two main categories based on their growing conditions – florist’s cyclamen and hardy cyclamen. Based on the given background information, it seems that the cyclamen in question is florist’s cyclamen, which is usually cultivated as an indoor houseplant. This type of cyclamen is more tender and requires controlled indoor conditions to thrive. Therefore, it would be best to keep your cyclamen indoors for optimal growth and health.