Very beautiful flower! I tried to grow it, but my first experience was unsuccessful - cyclamen disappeared. Home care is how complicated? Is it possible to make it bloom all year round? One of my good friends is fond of cyclamens. I really like to be at her house. All window sills are lined with these flowers. Moreover, they bloom almost all year round. Some cease to bloom, others begin. By the way, this flower has another name - cyclomenia.
Among its neighbors on the windowsill, this plant stands out for its bright beauty and abundant flowering. How to grow cyclamen, how to transplant it, what is the care at home for it - let's take a closer look. This representative is notable for its blooms in autumn and winter. If you are interested in the process of self-growing cyclamen, you can buy seeds. It is also quite possible to get new plants by dividing the root. It should be borne in mind that the process of growing this flower from seeds is quite a long one, while it takes a long time for it to grow tuber and bloom.
Cyclamen (cyclomenia), photo:
The process of flowering indoor plants begins around November and ends by March. Five-petalled cyclomania flowers on an elegant thin leg are very beautiful - of an unusual shape with bent petals. The leaves are also very decorative - somewhat like a heart, openwork white (or silver) pattern adorns the dark green “canvas”. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, hybrids of this flower appear periodically, which vary in shades and patterns on the leaves.
Photo of cyclamen flowers:
Features cyclamens, varieties
The most remarkable quality of hybrids is the possibility of year-round flowering. Individual varietal species can be planted in the open ground, used as garden flowers. There are approximately 20 varieties of this plant, however, for home cultivation, the Persian, European, Neapolitan (ivy) variety is most often used.
The most common, popular representative is the Persian cyclamen. Flowers of this species can be of various shades: white, pink, dark red, lilac. The plant usually reaches 30 cm in height, has a large tuber with a diameter of 10-15 cm. The Persian variety can be grown both at home and in garden areas. If you want to plant it in your country house, then choose a place protected from wind and direct sunlight, for example, near trees or shrubs.
Persian cyclamen, photo:
The purple variety has a characteristic feature that distinguishes it from its counterparts - from below the leaf color has a purple hue. Also, in this species, the tuber does not protrude above the soil; upon closer inspection, the whole is covered with roots. Purple cyclamen retains leaves year-round (no dormancy period). The color of the flowers varies from white to all shades of red, the leaves have notches at the edges. The plant gives color mainly in the summer (June / beginning of October), its other name is European cyclamen. Flowers of this variety have a very pleasant aroma.
Cyclamen European (purple):
Neapolitan Cyclamen (ivy):
Among the varieties of cyclamen, you can even find those that grow on mossy tree trunks. In this case, the tree does not suffer, since the root system of the plant does not penetrate under the bark. In summer, wild cyclamen blooms and smells (the aroma is somewhat reminiscent of lilies of the valley), and with the onset of autumn it “falls asleep”. The height of wild representatives does not exceed 10 cm, they multiply by seeds, and insects help them. Caucasian cyclamen grows wild, can be grown at home, propagated by seeds, division of tubers. Also, it can be planted in a summer cottage.
Wild cyclamen, photo:
We decided to buy cyclamen - what to look for in the store
It is difficult to resist the charm of cyclamen and not buy a flowering specimen! Even if it does not bloom, the cap of leaves with gray-blue spots looks very decorative.
The question arises: where and when is it best to purchase this plant? It should be noted that the most common type of cyclamen - Persian - begin to sell in late autumn.
I advise you when choosing to pay attention to those plants that have more unblown buds - the more of these, the better. Naturally, your new flower should not have damaged leaves. They should be located low relative to the peduncles. Pay attention to the tuber too. A properly positioned tuber should half peep out of the ground. This is important, since it will depend on how your cyclamen develops further.
When buying, pay attention to the soil. Typically, plants from a flower shop are sold in a poor peat substrate, unsuitable for normal cultivation for a long period. Such plants should be transplanted immediately, but only after the end of the flowering period.
For this:
- gently take the plant out of the pot, holding it close to the root by the leaves;
- brush off peat from the roots of the flower;
- we check in what condition they are - if we see rotten ones - boldly cut them to healthy tissue;
- soak the roots in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 10-15 minutes - this procedure disinfects the cyclamen root system;
- after disinfection, we dust the places of root sections with activated carbon powder;
- before planting, be sure to pour a small layer of expanded clay on the bottom of a clean pot;
- any universal primer for indoor or flowering plants is suitable as a substrate.
An experienced friend always tells me that cyclamen (cyclomenia) is an unpretentious flower, but you need to know some secrets.
- Firstly, cyclamens do not like large tanks. They prefer the corms to be more crowded than spacious. That is, the distance between the nodules and the walls of the pot should be no more than 2-3 cm.
- Secondly, cyclamen refers to plants that periodically "hibernate", that is, they need a dormancy period of about three months. At this time, the pot with the asleep cyclamen is placed in a cool place. It can be, for example, some kind of pantry, a toilet room, even the lower shelf of the refrigerator is suitable if the temperature there does not rise above 11 ° C. In the dormant period, cyclamen is not watered, unless only when the soil in the pot is completely dry. One tablespoon of water per week will be more than enough.
- Thirdly, this is perhaps one of the few plants that does not like bright sunlight. Be sure to shade the pot with cyclamen, but rather keep it on the north window.
How to grow cyclamen at home, care for him
In order for this bright flower to please you with magnificent bloom, you must adhere to certain rules. The plant should feel comfortable: acceptable air temperature, lack of drafts, proper lighting, timely watering - all these requirements must be observed.
How to care for cyclamen at home:
- The ambient temperature should not be higher than + 12..15 ° C, if the column of mercury rises above + 20 ° C or drops below + 10 ° C - the plant will not like it. There should be no drafts where the flower pot will be located. The presence of a heating radiator (or battery) near the flowers is also highly undesirable.
- This flower requires diffused light, light shade, since direct sunlight on the leaves is fraught with the appearance of burns. A plant needs bright light only when it blooms; a flower reacts to excessive illumination by wilting leaves and the appearance of brown spots on them.
- How to water cyclamen? You need to water this plant only through a pallet! You can’t pour water from above, it should not fall on a tuber, flowers, foliage and other parts. It is recommended to fill the tray or saucer on which the pot is placed with drainage expanded clay (thin layer).
- This plant prefers moist air. Here, again, expanded clay poured into the pan or small pebbles will help you. Do not irrigate the flower with spray water. With the onset of the dormant period, it needs to be watered, but not as often as during active growth and flowering. If you notice that the leaves of the plant turn yellow, this can also be an indicator of excessive air dryness.
- The soil for the flower should consist of equal parts of rotted foliage (deciduous humus), peat, sod land, coarse sand, vermiculite and clay. You can also buy a ready-made substrate for cyclamen (an option for cacti is also suitable).
Feeding is recommended only during the active growth of the plant, about 1 time in 14 days. The best choice of fertilizers - general mineral fertilizing for indoor flowers.
Cyclamen - how to transplant
It is best to transplant in the summer. In late spring, the plant ceases to bloom, a dormant period begins, at which time it is no longer watered, and the pot itself is laid on its side. Around July, slowly, in small doses, watering starts again, when the first leaves appear, you can start replanting the flower.
It has already been said that a feature of cyclamen is a minimum of land in a pot! But it will not be superfluous to repeat that the tuber should be a little cramped, it should be deepened only partially - about a third of the tuber should rise above the ground level in the pot. After transplanting cyclamen, do not flood the flower abundantly with water, the earth should only be slightly moistened. Only when the plant comes to life, actively leaves foliage, adapts to a new place, you can proceed to normal watering, feeding.
How to grow cyclamen from seeds
If the purchase of a ready-made potted flower does not appeal to you, you are interested in going through this whole process yourself, then try to acquire quality seeds. Of course, you can select planting material from existing flowers, but you will have to pre-process the pollination process (with a brush or cotton swab). Pollination should be done repeatedly, from flower to flower, while the presence of different varieties is only welcome. When the plant fades, and the seed boxes ripen, pluck them without waiting for cracking. Wrap the boxes with a clean cloth or paper, when they dry, they will open themselves - thus, the seeds will be saved.
Seed box photo:
For sowing seeds, select the appropriate soil. Substrates sold in flower shops are also suitable. Such soil most often contains peat, leafy soil, vermiculite. If you want to make such a substrate yourself, then you only have to mix equal proportional parts of these components. Do not forget about drainage (large balls of polystyrene foam or small gravel), holes must be at the bottom of the tank.
The most commonly used two methods of sowing seeds:
- The seed is pre-soaked with cold water (for two or three days), to which a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent should be added every day. This water should be changed daily, its temperature should be quite low.
- The second option is more familiar to gardeners and gardeners - pre-treatment (soaking) with a weakly pink solution of potassium permanganate or Epin (2 drops per 200 ml of water). For seeds, 15 hours of such a “bath” is enough, after such a treatment, even inveterate seed material gets a “shake”, gives seedlings.
You can try these two methods at the same time, subsequently choose the one that is more effective and convenient for you.
Next, to grow cyclamen from seeds, prepare a container with holes in the bottom, lay a layer of drainage, pour soil on top. Make grooves on the soil, put seeds there, or moisten the soil, spread the seed on top, sprinkle 2-3 cm on top with a layer of earth. Note that between the seeds should remain approximately 3 cm of free space.
Further crop care is covered with plastic wrap and placed in a cool place. As mentioned above, the air temperature should not exceed + 20 ° C.
Compliance with the temperature regime is extremely important for cyclamen, since with an increase in the degree, a transition to a dormant period is triggered, and when the seed is lowered, it can simply rot.
Every day you should raise the film briefly - to air the seedlings, subject to these simple rules, you can see the shoots approximately - it depends on the variety. After the appearance of pinkish sprouts, the temperature should be reduced to + 8..15 ° C. Since the seedlings, the growth of the young livestock seems to be slowing down, this is due to the fact that the plants actively grow their roots. After about 4 months, they can begin to be planted in separate containers, by which time each seedling should grow 2 or 3 leaves.
The subsequent transplant of cyclamen to a permanent place of residence is carried out by transshipment together with a lump of land. A pot with drainage holes, drainage material, appropriate soil - everything should be according to the rules. Young tubers need to be completely deepened, adult representatives, as mentioned above, should rise half or a third above the ground.
Feeding can be started after 6 months, complex compositions for flowering indoor plants are optimal for this. Do not forget about high-quality regular watering of cyclamen.
Cyclamen propagation
The most convenient and uncomplicated method of propagation is the division of tubers during transplantation. It’s good if your flower has already grown a daughter tuber by this time. With the onset of the rest period, you can independently cut such a tuber into parts, the main thing is that roots + kidney are present on each fragment. The surface of the slices must be treated with brilliant green or well powdered with crushed activated carbon. The tuber division method really works, try and make sure. Another method for propagating a plant by seed is described above.
If you notice that your cyclamen begins to fade, the leaves turn yellow, what should I do? Most likely, the reason is excessive lighting. Move the flower container to a shady place or hang tight curtains on the window. Heat, dry air can also cause yellowing of foliage.
A lack of iron can also affect the well-being of the plant: the leaves turn yellow in the same way, begin to sink down. This phenomenon is called chlorosis, but the addition of the drug "Microvit K-1" (iron chelate) in water for irrigation helps to cope with the problem.
Sometimes yellowing of foliage can be a consequence of the appearance of a spider mite - it is recommended to irrigate the flower with an insecticide. Make sure that the soil is moderately moist, too dry or too wet soil also leads to yellowing of the leaves of the plant.
Cyclamen faded - what to do next?
With the onset of the resting phase, the foliage of the plant withers and dries. The remains of leaves and flowers should be cut or cut off manually, while making sure that the tuber is not damaged. By this time, as mentioned above, watering should be minimized, but the earthen lump near the tuber should not be too dry. If you have the opportunity to take the flower to fresh air, do it.The plant should be kept in a non-hot shaded place all the time, if you notice new leaves pecking, this will mean that the dormant period has ended.
The beginning of the rest period, photo:
Sometimes a flower with a pot is instilled in a shady place on the site, replanting is performed when the plant "wakes up" from hibernation. At the same time, the soil and the earthen lump are completely replaced, the tuber is examined, the spoiled fragments are removed, a month after the transplantation, top dressing is started during irrigation. You can buy a ready-made earth mix for cyclamens.
Another option for saving tubers is described above - laying the pot on its side, replanting in July or August.
Why is cyclamen not blooming? In relevant forums, you can sometimes see a similar question. The answer to it is proper care, compliance with the rules when sowing seeds, replanting, dividing tubers. It is very important to provide the plant with the required temperature and acceptable humidity. Proper watering of cyclamen, timely application of fertilizers - these are the basic needs of the plant, the key to its future lush flowering.
Separately, mention should be made of diseases and pests that threaten the plant, can affect its flowering. Timely treatment with insecticides and supporting drugs is very important. Regularly inspect the flower from all sides, take measures at the slightest suspicion of the presence of intruders or deterioration of appearance.
Cyclamen drops
It is worth mentioning one interesting and healing feature of this decorative flower - it is a medicinal plant, whose anti-inflammatory effect was familiar to Hippocrates. Today with its help they successfully treat sinusitis, make drops, ointments, tinctures. As with any other herbal gifts of nature, cyclamen should be treated with caution, not too zealous with the doses and frequency of treatment.
The cyclamen root, also known as tuber, contains biologically active cyclamine (a substance of the saponide group), which provokes an increase in the secretion of mucous membranes and thereby helps the natural cleansing of the inflamed ("blocked") sinuses. To prepare medicinal homemade drops based on the root of the plant, you need to take part of the tuber, grate it with a fine grater (or squeeze it with a hand press for garlic). The resulting pulp should be filtered through a layer of clean cloth, and the resulting juice diluted with boiled (or distilled) water 1: 4. Thus, you will receive a natural medicine for sinusitis and a runny nose, instill it daily 2 drops in each nostril for 7-10 days.
You can also grind 2 g of the root, pour it with 100 ml of boiling water, insist for about 1 hour, then dilute one teaspoon of the infusion with a liter of boiled water, drip into the nose.
Root-based oil extract is very good for overdried nasal mucosa. Squeezed tuber juice is mixed with the same amount of olive or sunflower oil, insisted for about a day, after which 3 drops are dripped into the nose for 7 days.
Taking into account all the information, now you will know how to care for cyclamen, how to grow flowers from seeds, how to transplant a plant and propagate it by dividing the roots.
Its flowers resemble bright summer butterflies, perched on a thin stalk, but the most amazing and valuable is that we can enjoy this splendor during winter snowstorms and cold weather.
To cyclamen bloomed in winter, home care should include a quality summer vacation. The root should not waste strength and nutrients on growing leaves. Despite the fact that this flower requires the same approach as most indoor plants, it is considered moody, but the result fully justifies the investment of time and energy.