Cyclamen is a charming, beloved by many plant with characteristic inverted petals of nodding flowers. These elegant flowers in shades of pink, purple, red and white, reminiscent of a flock of fluttering butterflies, can bloom for up to two months, delighting their owners. The flowers stand high above the patterned, heart-shaped leaves, making the plant look stunning. Some varieties of cyclamen are even fragrant! And although caring for indoor cyclamens is different from caring for other green residents of our homes, having mastered the necessary knowledge and making a little effort, you can enjoy their flowering year after year.
Cyclamen need rest
Cylamens have a completely different growing season than other houseplants. The flowers "come back to life" in the fall and grow vigorously in the winter. By the time the summer heat sets in, the plant gradually "falls asleep" - this is a natural process. The biggest mistake is to force the plant to bloom all year round. Many do not realize that it needs a period of rest in order to survive. As soon as youunderstand how cyclamens grow, it will become much easier to care for them!
Another thing to keep in mind about cyclamen is that it is a poisonous plant that can be dangerous to pets and humans.
Lighting
The key to keeping cyclamen happy and he althy is to replicate its natural environment as closely as possible. Cyclamens like bright but not direct light. It will be good for the plant in a bright room on a window facing east or west. Plants on the south window will be uncomfortable, the drooping leaves will immediately tell you about this.
Temperature
Caring for cyclamen starts with the right temperature. Cyclamens are native to the Mediterranean countries, where winters are mild and summers are very dry. If, as summer approaches, the leaves of cyclamen begin to turn yellow, this means that the plant is preparing for summer dormancy.
From autumn to spring, the most comfortable temperature for cyclamen is +15…18 °C during the day and +10 °C at night. Too high temperatures will cause the leaves to turn yellow and the flowers to fade quickly. Flowering will last longer if the plant is kept cool. Indoor cyclamens are tropical plants, so temperatures below +4 oC are detrimental to them.
The plant is very sensitive to drafts. To ensure ideal growing conditions, simply place your cyclamen in the coolest room of the house, away from any heat sources - central heating is detrimental to it. If the temperature allows, you can take out the cyclamen forclosed balcony or terrace at night.
Irrigation
Watering cyclamen is also a little different from most houseplants. When watering, try not to get water on the leaves and stems. If this is difficult, lower the plant pot into water. Once the soil is damp, pour out any remaining water in the pan. Do not let the plant "sit" in the water for a long period of time, 15 minutes will be enough.
Cyclamens like to keep the soil evenly moist during their active period of life, but by no means waterlogged. The soil should be damp to the touch, but not wet. Let it dry out a bit between waterings, but don't let the soil dry out completely or stay dry for too long.
Plant pots should have well-drained soil and a few holes in the bottom of the container. In cyclamen, in excessively moist soil, the leaves droop and rot, which leads to the development of fungal diseases and the possible death of the plant. Cyclamen loves spraying the leaves, but you need to provide good ventilation so that the leaves can dry quickly and not rot.
Resting period
The temperature naturally rises in spring, so cyclamen slowly turns yellow and fades away. This is a signal to reduce watering to prevent root rot. Don't rush, let the leaves fall off by themselves - this will give the roots a chance to absorb the nutrients from the leaves. For the summer months, potted plants can be placed on the balcony in a shaded area or in the coolest room in the apartment,where they can stay dry until next fall. In autumn, when a new sprout appears on the tuber, it's time to start watering the flower again and wait for a new flowering.
Transfer
If cyclamen has outgrown its pot house, it is necessary to transplant it into a larger container. The best time to transplant cyclamen is when the plant is "resting". When transplanting, it is not necessary to bury the cyclamen tubers too deep, they should be planted slightly above the soil level. Cyclamen in the new pot should be at the same depth as in the old one. These plants are quite resilient, unless, of course, you drown the poor things. A diseased cyclamen must be urgently transplanted into a new soil, regardless of the period in which it happened. The plant must be saved, otherwise the tubers in the waterlogged soil will begin to rot!
Firstly, you need to prepare the soil for transplanting, and secondly, carefully remove the roots from the soil, shake off the old soil, but in no case wet or rinse it. Check each for damage. Take fresh, sterile, prepared for transplanting soil, and root cyclamen.
What soil is needed for cyclamen
The main condition when choosing a soil mixture is that when it dries, it should not dry out, and the water should not stagnate. In specialized stores, you can ask the sales assistant which soil is suitable for cyclamen. You can just buy a ready-made soil mixture for violets in the store, which in its own waythe composition is perfect for cyclamens. You can use the usual ready-made soil for indoor plants, such as begonias and geraniums. By adding peat moss and vermiculite to help the soil retain moisture, we get an excellent soil for transplanting cyclamen.
Prepare the soil for transplanting
If you prefer a ready-made mixture from a store prepared by yourself at home soil for cyclamen, the composition can be advised as follows:
- 2 pieces of leaf ground;
- 1 piece of sand;
- 1 often humus;
- drainage layer.
Earth and sand must first be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Mix all ingredients. After the mixture is ready, it is calcined in the oven for an hour. Ignition is necessary to prevent infection of the plant by fungi and other pathogens. The speed of acclimatization of the plant in a new place will largely depend on the quality of the prepared soil for cyclamens. The size of the new pot should not be too large, otherwise water will stagnate in it. Pay attention to the holes in the new pot to create drainage from pebbles or expanded clay.
The transplant is over. Lightly water the potted soil into which the cyclamen has been transplanted until the leaves begin to appear. Next, keep the soil slightly moist. In what soil to transplant cyclamen - you choose. If the soil for transplantation is chosen correctly and all the nuances are observed, it remains only to wait for the foliage to appear and a new flowering.
Fertilizers
Water-soluble fertilizers are applied to the soil for cyclamens only once every two months. It's enough. When a plant receives too much fertilizer, it affects their ability to re-bloom. If the leaves of cyclamen turn yellow, apply fertilizers containing iron to the soil for cyclamen. To encourage or prolong flowering, feed the plant with a high phosphorus fertilizer in early winter, as soon as buds begin to appear. Cyclamens love slightly acidic soil, so it's a good idea to apply an acidic fertilizer once a year. Remember that too much fertilizer provokes the growth of lush foliage, but few flowers - why do you need a green bush?
You may have received a beautiful cyclamen as a gift - a traditional European Christmas plant, because its delicate, orchid-like flowers bloom in all their glory in the middle of winter. Do not dispose of it immediately after flowering. Patience, a little effort - and cyclamen will delight you next winter, painting winter days with bright colors of amazing shades.
