How to properly grow cyclamen at home?

Cyclamen (dryak, earthen radish, earthen bread) is a decorative perennial about 15 cm high. Tuberous rhizome. Long-petiolate heart-shaped leaves are collected in basal rosettes.

The flowers are drooping, located on long pedicels, which, after flowering, twist in a spiral. The corolla is five-part, the lobes are slightly bent. The color of the flower can be purple, pink, white. The countries of Asia Minor and the Mediterranean are considered the birthplace of cyclamen.

Cyclamen after purchase

It happened: you bought a beautiful cyclamen or presented it to you. The plant looks great, is completely covered in flowers, and is a little scary to disturb. But if you delay the transshipment, you can lose this handsome man or he will simply get sick, losing all his attractiveness.

Therefore, gather your courage and carry out a simple procedure for transferring a plant from a pot with temporary soil to a new spacious pot with nutritious soil (we take a universal soil for flowering).

The video will tell you about the transshipment of cyclamen after purchase:

Conditions for growing cyclamen at home

The state of the cyclamen directly depends on the temperature regime: the flower actively grows when it is cool and humid, when the temperature rises, it begins to prepare for a dormant period. During the heating season, this feature makes it difficult to care for the cyclamen. But overcoming all the whims of this plant, you will enjoy bright flowering for many years.

Watering

The main rule when watering cyclamen is accuracy and moderation. An earthen lump must not be overmoistened or overdried. The flower can often be affected by root rot, so it is better to use bottom watering: place the plant pot in a tray of water and remove after 15 minutes. You can pour water from the top, but in small portions, moving along the edge of the pot. During the flowering period, you need to water a little more abundantly. After flowering, watering is reduced, and by the dormant period (begins in March) they stop altogether.

Thermal and light conditions

Growing cyclamen at home photo

Do not keep the cyclamen near heat sources - this will provoke the shedding of leaves and a transition to rest mode. Maintain moisture. You can put a tray with wet pebbles or an aquarium near the plant. Spray occasionally until buds appear.

Direct sunlight causes burns in the plant. Cyclamen needs diffused light or partial shade. The best option would be western or eastern window sills.On the northern windows, the flower will suffer from a lack of light, and on the southern windows, shading is necessary.

The soil

For normal growth, cyclamen needs a nutritious, drained soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. You can prepare a mixture of sod, leafy soil, humus and sand in equal proportions. The acidity of the soil can be determined using special test strips.

You need to stir a pinch of earth in water, wait until a precipitate appears, and lower the test strip into the resulting solution. Check the result against the scale on the package. In the absence of such test strips, you can determine the approximate acidity by reaction with vinegar - pour it over a handful of earth. If there are few bubbles, then the reaction is neutral, if there are many, the soil is alkaline, if there are none at all, the soil is acidic.

You don't have to worry and buy ready-made primer for cyclamen or just a universal primer available in any specialized store.

How to make cyclamen bloom

Prerequisites for flowering cyclamen:

• the size of the pot should be suitable: in a spacious or cramped container, flowering will slow down;
• a sufficient amount of nutrients;
• suitable acidity of the soil;
• correct planting: when planting a Persian cyclamen, you need to leave the top of the tuber above the ground, for other species - deepen the roots completely;
• it is necessary to provide a period of rest and the correct exit from it.

During the period of active growth and flowering, start feeding cyclamen. For the growth of leaves, apply complex mineral fertilizers every two weeks. With the appearance of buds, reduce the dose of nitrogen, and the amount of potassium and phosphorus should be slightly increased.

Growing cyclamen from seeds

Cyclamen seeds photo

Cyclamen can be propagated by seed and tuber division.

It is better to purchase seeds at a flower shop, paying attention to their shelf life, because they germinate up to 2 years.

How to collect seeds?

To collect seeds at home, you need to pollinate the plant yourself. Using a cotton swab or brush, transfer pollen from one flower to another, pollinate on sunny days in the morning, it is better to repeat the procedure several times. Ripe seeds are recommended to be stored for a couple of months. Then soak them in Zircon and sow.

How to prepare zircon seeds for sowing, watch the video:

How to sow

• For sowing, use a mixture of peat or leaf soil with vermiculite in equal proportions.
• It is enough to spread the seeds on the surface of the soil and cover with a thin layer of earth.
• It is necessary to maintain a temperature of 20 ° C, from a higher temperature the seeds will go into hibernation, and from a lower temperature, there is a high probability of decay.
• Moisten and ventilate the plantings periodically.

Cyclamen from seeds photo shoots

• Shoots will start to appear in 4-6 weeks. After that, the bowl with the seedlings should be placed in a well-lit place without direct sunlight, maintain the air temperature at 15-17 ° C.

Grown cyclamen seedlings need to be transplanted photo

• When small tubers appear at the seedlings and the plants grow, transplant them into separate containers.
• A week after transplanting, you need to apply mineral fertilizers, reducing the dose by half from that indicated on the package.

Cyclamen grown from seeds photo

Plants must be transplanted carefully, trying not to violate the integrity of the root system. Do not deepen the tubers, leave the planting level the same as before transplanting. So the flower will develop correctly and will not be susceptible to various diseases or growth retardation.

The video will tell you about growing cyclamen from seeds:

Cyclamens grown from seeds will bloom in a year and a half. But flowering can begin much later - after 3-4 years. Passionate flower growers are not upset: the longer you wait for the result, the more pleasant it is to reap the fruits of your labor. And the flowering of the beautiful Cyclomene is worth the effort!

Reproduction of cyclamen by dividing the tuber

How to split a cyclamen tuber photo

• In the spring or summer (during the dormant period of the plant), dig the tuber out of the soil and cut it into pieces so that each division has a bud and roots.
• Dry the sections, treat with fungicide or crushed charcoal.
• Divide the cuttings into separate pots and place them in the greenhouse or cover with a plastic cup.
• When choosing tubers for planting in a store, pay attention to their condition: they should be elastic, not wrinkled, without rotten spots.

Cyclamen transplant

How to transplant cyclamen photo

• It is better not to transplant a flowering plant, this can destroy it.
• It is ideal to transplant at the beginning of the active growing season (August-September). That is, after a period of dormancy, when leaves begin to appear.
• The new pot should be slightly larger than the old one.
• Be sure to lay drainage from crushed rubble, expanded clay.
• Before planting, it is advisable to shed the soil with a pink solution of potassium permanganate.
• Persian cyclamen tubers are buried in the soil by 2/3, and all the rest - completely.
• Place the transplanted plant in a warm, bright place, and increase watering as new leaves grow.

How to transplant a cyclamen, the video will tell:

Rest period of cyclamen

• By the end of spring and early summer, after the end of flowering, the cyclamen will begin a dormant period.
• Withered flowers and leaves need to be cut off, watering should be reduced to a minimum, preventing the soil from drying out completely.
• The pot with the tuber should be placed or laid on its side in a cool place with good ventilation. Store this way until fall.
• At the beginning of autumn, you need to bring the plant out of hibernation - take it out into the light and gradually increase watering.

How the cyclomen falls asleep, we look at the video:

Why does cyclamen turn yellow and what to do

Cyclamen is a capricious plant; it reacts sharply to errors in care. Cyclamen leaves can turn yellow for the following reasons:

• The leaves of cyclamen turn yellow during flowering due to the fact that the plant gives all the nutrients to the flowers, and the leaves lack them. Therefore, urgently feed the flower with a complex fertilizer for flowering.
• Lack of moisture in the air or soil is another danger. When yellow leaves appear, it is better to intensify your attention: put a humidifier next to it, or put the pot in a tray with sphagnum moss, wet pebbles (just do not let the bottom of the pot come into contact with water). Perhaps you are watering in a timely manner, but there is still not enough moisture: the compressed soil is to blame. Make sure the soil is water permeable. If the clod of earth is very dense, it's time to transplant the flower.
• The plant lacks nutrients - be sure to feed it during growth and flowering;
• Damage by diseases and pests - inspect the flower for parasites, and if insects are found, carry out repeated treatment with an insecticide with an interval of 3-5 days.
• The pot is small - the flower simply does not fit in the amount of land that is available. An urgent transplant is required.
• Natural yellowing of leaves also occurs at the beginning of the dormant period, which begins after flowering.

Cyclamen pests and care problems

The ugly shape of the leaves testifies to the attack of the cyclamen mite, they become tough, the plant stops growing, the peduncles bend, the flowers wither. Conventional insecticides will not help here. The plant will have to be destroyed.

When damaged by thrips, the leaves of the plant are covered with silvery spots and brown stains. It can be treated with insecticides, but in most cases it is necessary to destroy the plant so that the parasites do not spread to healthy flowers.

From overdrying or waterlogging of an earthen coma in combination with a low temperature, flower stalks can grow shorter than leaves and bloom under them.

Gray rot appears from waterlogged cold air and poor ventilation. Leaves turn yellow, covered with gray mold.Infected plant parts must be carefully removed (mold spores spread through the air when moving). Treat with fungicide. For prevention, reduce watering, ventilate the room.

The sharp wilting of the leaves and the putrid smell of the root system indicate the appearance of wet rot. There is no escape from her. Infection occurs through contaminated water or another diseased plant.

The fungal disease Fusarium affects the vascular system of the plant. It is manifested by yellowing of the leaves, often on one side of the plant. Over time, the disease spreads completely. In the initial stages, you can save with special preparations from a flower shop.

Types of cyclamen with photos and names

The genus Cyclamen L. consists of 15 species. consider the most common in indoor floriculture.

Persian cyclamen Cyclamen persicum

Persian cyclamen Cyclamen persicum photo

Originally from the Eastern Mediterranean. The leaves are heart-shaped, dark green in color with a marble pattern. Flowers are simple and double, have a color from white to all sorts of shades of red. Flowering begins in September. The rest period lasts 2 months: May-June.

Cyclamen European or blushing, purple Cyclamen purpurascens

Cyclamen European or blushing, purple Cyclamen purpurascens photo

The natural habitat is Central and Southern Europe. This species is also called alpine violet. Interestingly, the flowers exude aroma depending on the color of the flower: the darker the shade, the stronger the aroma. It is the only species that does not shed its leaves during hibernation.

Cyclamen kosky or Caucasian cyclamen coum subsp. caucasicum

Cyclamen kosky or Caucasian cyclamen coum subsp. caucasicum photo

It was first found on the island of Kos, after which it was named. It is also found in the Caucasus. A feature of the species are petals sharply expanding from the base, and they also have a dark speck.

Cyclamen ivy or Neapolitan Cyclamen hederifolium

Cyclamen ivy or Neapolitan Cyclamen hederifolium photo

The leaves have notched-toothed edges, due to which they are similar to ivy leaves. Flowers appear before leaves in September and November.

In indoor floriculture, Persian cyclamen is the most popular. Many varieties have been bred from it, divided by the height of the peduncles into undersized (up to 15 cm), medium-sized (15-22 cm) and standard (20-30 cm).

The most popular varieties of homemade cyclamen:

Cyclamen persian spring moth photo

Spring Moth, Scarlet Moth, Charlie, Rose, Leelu, Flamingo, Topaz, Selphida, Rembrandt, Bellissima, Elf.

Cyclamen Scarlet Moth photo

Cyclamen Bellissima photo

Cyclamen Ivy Album Cyclamen hederifolium Album photo

Cyclamen Elf photo

Cyclamen persicum PomPom photo

Cyclamen belongs to the family Primroses (Primulaceae). In total, there are more than 20 varieties of such perennial plants with tuberous roots. Distributed in the Mediterranean, North-East Africa, Iran. In Turkey, it is often found in the wild.

Certain species are planted over a long period, both in gardens and in apartment conditions. For indoor cultivation there are two types of cyclamen. Namely: Persian and European.

The European cyclamen is called "alpine violet". Throughout the year, he feels great on the windowsills in the apartment, provided that the temperature is maintained at + 18 ... + 20 ° С. Not tied to a specific humidity level. Blooms profusely from spring to autumn. Compared to the Persian cyclamen, this plant is not often found in flower shops. The latter belongs to the parent species for many modern hybrids.

The history of its origin dates back to the 16th century. At the time, it was used by Europeans. It flaunted in the botanical garden, which was owned by Queen Elizabeth I. Soon, cyclamen lost its relevance, but after several centuries breeders began to work hard on its development, thanks to which today there are a large number of its hybrids and species. In nature, the Persian cyclamen blooms from early winter to late spring. The flowering period depends on the region of its growth. Most often it has flowers of light pink color.Sometimes they are raspberry or cherry.

Today's cyclamens differ from wild varieties in the size of their flowers. Compared to their predecessors, they are larger. The color can be white, pink, scarlet, dark purple. Hybrids with multi-colored and corrugated petals have gained immense popularity. In recent years, there has been a demand for mini-hybrids in Europe. They are small bushes with large flowers. This type of cyclamen can be grown in a garden and in cool climates.

Modern floriculture, depending on the size of plants and flowers, classifies cyclamens into 3 groups.

Mini cyclamens. These include: "Silver Art", "Midori", "Zhanetto", "Libretto", "Silverado". Such plants are distinguished by large flowers. As a rule, they exceed 4 cm. Aromatic cultivars can often be found in this group. Pots with a diameter of 6-10 cm are suitable for growing.

Midi cyclamen... These include: "Kanto", "Laser", "Sterling" and others. They have a medium outlet size. They are planted in pots with a diameter of 10-13 cm.

Maxi cyclamens (standard or large-flowered): series "Concerto", "Rainier", "Sierra", "Winter Ice". Growing pots are 13-20 cm in diameter.

The cyclamen goes on sale in the first months of autumn. The plant is especially loved for the fact that it pleases with its long flowering in the winter. With the onset of spring, cyclamen stops blooming. He loses leaves, and here many growers make a mistake - they throw the plant away, because they believe that it is gone. If you provide the cyclamen with proper care, it will actively bloom for more than one year.

Cyclamen care at home

Lighting

Cyclamens love light, but the best habitat for them is the east and west windows. If the plant will be on the south side, it is important to protect it from direct sunlight. The room where the cyclamen grows must be regularly ventilated.

Temperature

Temperature conditions play a significant role in the successful cultivation of cyclamens. The best temperature in the cold season is 10-12 ° C. A higher reading will cause it to start shedding its leaves and stop blooming. If the plant was grown in a greenhouse, appropriate conditions must be created in the apartment. At home, it is not always possible to keep the cyclamen cool. To facilitate acclimatization and extend the flowering period, you need to accustom the cyclamen to a higher temperature in stages. It must be placed on a cold window and ventilated regularly.

Humidity

Cyclamen is a plant that loves high humidity. During the growth of the leaves, they need to be sprayed. As soon as the cyclamen begins to bloom, such manipulations do not need to be carried out. To increase the moisture index, you can create a water mist near the plant. You can also place it on a pallet with wet pebbles. In winter, the cyclamen should be placed at a great distance from the central heating batteries.

Watering

Frequent watering is preferred, but the amount of water should be moderate. Its temperature can be a couple of degrees below room temperature. Before the appearance of peduncles above the leaves of the cyclamen, you can water it directly into the pot, then pour the water into the pan and drain its excess. When the plant has lost all its leaves, watering should be reduced, but it is important to ensure that the substrate does not dry out completely.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer containing useful mineral components will help prolong the flowering of cyclamen. You need to feed the plant once every 2 weeks.

Transfer

As soon as flowering stops and the leaves turn yellow completely, this will indicate that the cyclamen is preparing for a dormant period. At this point, it can be transplanted by transferring it into a large-diameter pot with sod land or peat substrate.It is important to monitor the location of the tubers - they should be at the level of the substrate or slightly protrude above it.

The soil

It is necessary to create aeration of the cyclamen root system. It is desirable to use a breathable coarse peat substrate. For the mixture, you need to combine in equal amounts leafy earth, humus, peat and sand. If desired, it can be purchased ready-made.

Dormant period

From May to June, the tuber is dormant. The plant completely loses its leaves. Their appearance is possible not earlier than by the end of July. During this period, the cyclamen must be placed in a cool dry place.

Reproduction

In indoor conditions, cyclamen cultivation can last up to 7 years. After this period, it is no longer suitable for reproduction, so you need to buy a new one. Reproduction of cyclamen is a troublesome business. For industrial purposes, it is propagated using seeds. You can do this yourself by dividing the tuber.

Depending on the variety, the length of the period from sowing to flowering can vary. This usually takes 7-11 months. It is advisable to sow seeds at the end of March. So, during the growth period, the cyclamen can do without additional lighting, and it will begin to bloom in mid-autumn. For seed germination, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions. The air temperature should be around the 18 ° C mark. High humidity and lack of light are encouraged. To keep the crops in the dark, they are covered with a black film for three weeks. At lower temperatures, cyclamens will germinate a little later. If they are above 20 °, germination will be slow. You can start diving seedlings after the appearance of 3-4 full leaves. During the dive, the young tuber is completely covered with earth.

Diseases and pests

Cyclamen is not too attacked by infectious diseases and pests. May be affected by cyclamen ticks. The signs will be deformed leaves, crooked peduncles and curved buds. Infection with these ticks is not easy at the initial stages. In case of severe damage, pest control preparations do not always cope with the set goal.

Helpful hints

• If the leaves of the cyclamen turn yellow, but the flowers remain healthy, you need to control the temperature in the room. If it is above 18 degrees, you need to lower it. At low temperatures, it is necessary to check whether the soil has dried out.
• Untimely watering of the plant can be the cause of yellow leaves.
• Gray rot appears when the humidity is high in a room with a low temperature. Frequent airing will help to solve the problem.
• Peduncles and leaves can begin to rot due to waterlogged soil. Heavy and frequent watering can cause the cyclamen's roots to rot.

Video review

A very beautiful flower! I tried to grow it, but my first experience was unsuccessful - the cyclamen disappeared. How difficult is home care? Is it possible to make it bloom all year round? A good friend of mine is fond of cyclamen. I love being at her house very much. All window sills are lined with these flowers. Moreover, they bloom almost all year round. Some stop blooming, others begin.

Among its neighbors on the windowsill, this plant stands out for its bright beauty and abundant flowering. How to grow cyclamenhow to transplant it - let's look at it in detail. This representative is notable for the fact that it blooms in autumn and winter. If you are interested in growing cyclamen yourself, 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 long, while it grows a tuber and blooms, it can take a long time.

Cyclamen, photo:

The flowering process of a houseplant begins around November and ends by March.The five-petalled flowers on a graceful thin stem are very beautiful - of an unusual shape with bent petals. The leaves are also very decorative - they are somewhat similar to a heart, an openwork white (or silvery) pattern adorns the dark green "canvas". Thanks to the efforts of breeders, hybrids of this flower are periodically born, which differ in shades and patterns on the leaves.

Photo of cyclamen flowers:

↑ to the content ↑ Features of cyclamens, varieties

The most remarkable quality of the hybrids is the ability to bloom all year round. Certain varieties can be planted outdoors, used as garden flowers. There are about 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 considered 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 plots. 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 - the bottom color of the leaf has a purple tint. Also, in this species, the tuber does not protrude above the soil; upon closer inspection, it is all covered with roots. Purple cyclamen retains leaves all year round (no dormant period). The color of the flowers varies from white to all shades of red, the leaves are jagged along the edges. The plant gives color mainly in summer (June / early October), its other name is European cyclamen... Flowers of this variety have a very pleasant aroma.

Cyclamen European (purple):

Cyclamen neapolitan (ivy):

Among the varieties of cyclamen, you can even find those that grow on mossy tree trunks. At the same time, the tree does not suffer, since the root system of the plant does not go deep under the bark. In summer, the 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-growing representatives does not exceed 10 cm, they reproduce by seeds, and insects help them. Cyclamen Caucasian grows wild, can be grown at home, propagated by seeds, dividing tubers. It can also be planted in a summer cottage.

Wild cyclamen, photo:

↑ back to content ↑ We decided to buy a cyclamen - what to look for in the store

It is difficult to resist the charm of cyclamen and not buy a blooming specimen! Even if it does not bloom, the cap of the leaves with gray-blue spots looks very decorative.

The question arises: where and when is it better to purchase this plant? It should be noted that the most common type of cyclamen - Persian - begins to be sold in late autumn.

When choosing, I advise you 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 in relation to the peduncles. It is also worth paying attention to the tuber. A properly positioned tuber should protrude halfway out of the ground. This is important, since it will depend on how your cyclamen will develop further.

When buying, pay attention to the soil. Usually, the plants from the flower shop are sold in poor peaty 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:

• carefully remove the plant from the pot, holding it close to the root by the leaves;
• shake off the peat from the roots of the flower;
• we check in what condition they are - if we see rotten ones, we boldly cut them to healthy tissue;
• we soak the roots in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 10-15 minutes - this procedure disinfects the cyclamen root system;
• after disinfection, sprinkle the root cuts 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 soil for indoor or flowering plants is suitable as a substrate.

An experienced friend always tells me that cyclamen is an unpretentious flower, but you need to know some secrets.

• Firstly, cyclamens do not like large containers. They prefer the corms to be more cramped 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 period of rest, which lasts about three months. At this time, the pot with the sleeping cyclamen is placed in a cool place. This can be, for example, some kind of pantry, toilet room, even the bottom shelf of the refrigerator will do if the temperature there does not rise above 11 ° C. During the dormant period, cyclamen is not watered, unless 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 cyclamen pot, or rather keep it on the north window.

↑ to the content ↑ How to grow a cyclamen at home, caring for it

In order for this bright flower to delight you with lush flowering, you must adhere to certain rules. The plant should feel comfortable: acceptable air temperature, no drafts, proper lighting, timely watering - all these requirements must be observed.

How to care for cyclamen at home:

1. The ambient temperature should not be higher than + 12..15 ° C, if the mercury column rises above + 20 ° C or falls 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 radiator (or battery) near flowers is also highly undesirable.
2. This flower requires diffused light, light shading, since direct sunlight on the leaves is fraught with burns. The plant needs bright light only when it blooms; the flower reacts to excessive illumination by wilting leaves and the appearance of brown spots on them.
3. How to water cyclamen? Water this plant only through the pallet! You cannot pour water on top, it should not get on the tuber, flowers, foliage and other parts. It is recommended to fill the pallet or saucer on which the pot is placed with drainage expanded clay (thin layer).
4. This plant prefers moist air. Here, again, expanded clay or small pebbles poured into the pallet will help you. Do not spray the flower with water from a spray bottle. With the onset of a 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 dryness of the air.
5. The soil for the flower should consist of equal parts of rotted foliage (deciduous humus), peat, turf, coarse sand, vermiculite and clay. You can also buy a ready-made substrate for cyclamens (the option for cacti works too).

It is recommended to apply top dressing only during the active growth of the plant, approximately once every 14 days. The best choice of fertilizers is general mineral dressing for indoor plants.

↑ to contents ↑ Cyclamen - how to transplant

It is best to transplant in the summer. In late spring, the plant stops blooming, a dormant period sets in, at which time they stop watering it, and the pot itself is laid on its side.By about July, slowly, in small doses, watering again begins, when the first leaves appear, you can begin to transplant the flower.

It has already been said that the peculiarity of cyclamen is a minimum of soil in a pot! But it will not be superfluous to repeat that the tuber should be a little cramped, it should be buried only partially - about a third of the tuber should rise above the soil level in the pot. After cyclamen transplants do not pour water abundantly on the flower, the earth should only be slightly moistened. Only when the plant comes to life, actively lets out the foliage, adapts to a new place, you can proceed to normal watering, top dressing.

↑ to content ↑ How to grow cyclamen from seeds

If buying a ready-made potted flower does not appeal to you, you are interested in going through this whole process yourself, then try to purchase high-quality seeds. Of course, you can select planting material from existing flowers, but you will have to first carry out the pollination process (with a brush or cotton swab). Pollination must be done repeatedly, from flower to flower, while the presence of different varieties is only welcome. When the plant has faded and the seed pods are ripe, pick them off without waiting for cracking. Wrap the pods with a clean cloth or paper and when dry, they will open by themselves - this way the seeds will be preserved.

Seed box, photo:

Select a suitable soil for sowing seeds. The substrates sold in flower shops are also fine. 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 foam balls or small crushed stone), there must be holes at the bottom of the container.

The two most commonly used methods of sowing seeds are:

1. The seed is pre-soaked in cold water (for two or three days), to which a couple of drops of dish detergent should be added every day. This water should be changed daily and its temperature should be quite low.
2. The second option is more familiar to florists and gardeners - pre-treatment (soaking) with a slightly borosy 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 treatment, even an old seed material gets a "shake-up" and sprouts.

You can try these two methods at the same time, then choose the one that is more effective and convenient for you.

Next to grow seed cyclamen, prepare a container with holes at the bottom, lay a drainage layer, pour soil on top. Make grooves on the soil, place the seeds there, or moisten the soil, spread the seed on top, sprinkle on top with a 2-3 cm layer of earth. Please note that there should be approximately 3 cm of free space between the seeds.

Further care of crops - cover the containers with plastic wrap, place them 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 when the degree rises, a transition to a dormant period is triggered, and when the degree decreases, the seed can simply rot.

Every day, you should briefly raise the film - air the seedlings, if you follow these simple rules, you will be able to see seedlings approximately - it depends on the variety. After the appearance of pinkish sprouts, the temperature should be reduced to + 8..15 ° C. From the moment of germination, the growth of young livestock seems to slow down, this is due to the fact that the plants are actively growing roots. After about 4 months, they can begin to be planted in separate containers, by which time each seedling should have 2 or 3 leaves.

Subsequent cyclamen transplant 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 buried, adult representatives, as mentioned above, should rise above the ground by half or a third.

You can start feeding after 6 months, complex formulations for flowering indoor plants are optimal for this. Do not forget about high-quality regular watering of the cyclamen.

↑ to the content ↑ Reproduction of cyclamen

The most convenient and uncomplicated method of reproduction is the division of tubers during transplantation. It is good if your flower has already grown a daughter tuber by this time. With the onset of the dormant period, you can independently cut such a tuber into parts, the main thing is that roots + kidney are present on each fragment. The surfaces of the slices must be treated with brilliant green or well powdered with crushed activated carbon. Tuberous division really works, try it and see. 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 to do? Most likely, the reason is excessive lighting. Move the container with the flower to a shady place or hang thick curtains on the window. Heat, dry air can also cause yellow foliage.

Lack of iron can also affect the well-being of the plant: the leaves turn yellow in the same way, they begin to go down. This phenomenon is called chlorosis, but the addition of Mikrovit K-1 (iron chelate) to the irrigation water helps to cope with the problem.

Sometimes the yellowing of the foliage can be the result 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.

↑ to contents ↑ Cyclamen faded - what to do next?

With the onset of the resting phase, the foliage of the plant withers and dries up. Remnants of leaves and flowers should be trimmed or torn off by hand, 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 can take the flower out into the fresh air, do so. The plant should always be in a cool shaded place, if you notice new leaves pecking, this will mean that the dormant period is over.

The beginning of the dormant period, photo:

Sometimes a flower and a pot are dropped in a shady place on the site, replanting is performed when the plant "wakes up" from hibernation. In this case, the soil and earthen lump are completely replaced, the tuber is examined, the spoiled fragments are removed, a month after the transplant, they begin to introduce top dressing during watering. You can buy ready-made earthen mixture for cyclamens.

Another option for preserving tubers is described above - laying the pot on its side, replanting in July or August.

Why doesn't cyclamen bloom? On the relevant forums, you can sometimes see a similar question. The answer to it is proper care, adherence to the rules when sowing seeds, replanting, dividing tubers. It is very important to provide the plant with the required temperature regime and acceptable air humidity. Literate watering cyclamen, timely application of fertilizers - these are the basic needs of the plant, the guarantee of its future lush flowering.

Separately, mention should be made of diseases and pests that threaten the plant, can affect its flowering. Timely insecticide and maintenance treatment is essential. Regularly inspect the flower from all sides, take action at the slightest suspicion of the presence of intruders or a deterioration in appearance.

↑ to contents ↑ 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 already familiar to Hippocrates. Today, with its help, sinusitis is successfully treated, drops, ointments, tinctures are made. As with any other herbal gifts of nature, cyclamen should be treated with caution, not too zealous with the doses and frequency of treatment.

Cyclamen root - aka a tuber, contains biologically active cyclamine (a substance of the saponid group), which provokes an increase in the secretion of mucous membranes and thereby helps natural cleansing of inflamed ("clogged") sinuses. To prepare medicinal homemade drops based on the root of a plant, you need to take a part of the tuber, grate it on 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 should be diluted with boiled (or distilled) water 1: 4. Thus, you will receive a natural cure for sinusitis and runny nose, instill it daily, 2 drops in each nostril for 7-10 days.

You can also grind 2 g of the root, pour 100 ml of boiling water over it, leave for about 1 hour, then dilute one teaspoon of the infusion with a liter of boiled water, drip into the nose.

The oil extract based on the root is very good for dry nasal mucosa. The squeezed juice of the tuber 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 all the information into consideration, you will now know how to care for a 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 stem, but the most amazing and valuable thing is that we can enjoy this splendor during winter blizzards and cold weather.

In order for the cyclamen to bloom in winter, home care for it must include a high-quality summer vacation. The root should not waste energy and nutrients on growing foliage. Despite the fact that this flower requires the same approach as most indoor plants, it is considered capricious, but the result fully justifies the investment of time and effort.

Cyclamen is a home flower popular for its beautiful blooms. In the photo and live, its petals resemble the wings of butterflies. The plant is not difficult to grow with your own hands. However, in order to propagate or transplant it, special conditions are needed. The flower is most often grown from seed. How to cultivate cyclamen, photo and step-by-step recommendations of florists will tell you.

Description and features of cyclamen

In order for this houseplant to form and give flowers, it will take a year of painstaking care and attention. But the colorful flowering of cyclamen will last about 3 months. Plant characteristics:

• height - 30 cm;
• leaves grow from the root, heart-shaped, leathery to the touch;
• color - dark green with a silvery sheen;
• root - a rounded bulb with a diameter of 15 cm, which has a single growth point;
• flowers consist of oval bent petals, pointed at one end;
• color - from white to rich lilac.

Flowering cyclamen

Selection of seeds for propagation of cyclamen

Planting this crop begins with the selection of the seed. The seeds can be purchased at a specialty store or collected from flowering plants yourself.

The first option is preferable for those who are going to grow a certain variety and get the expected result in terms of size and color of flowers. Florists advise choosing well-known manufacturers. The germination rate of such seeds is approximately 80%. If you use several varieties at the same time, you can get a colorful flower garden on the windowsill.

Attention! The shelf life of purchased seeds is 2 years.

If you nevertheless decide to collect the seed with your own hands, the flower must be pollinated. Manipulations are recommended in the morning:

1. Using a regular brush, transfer pollen from one flower to another. Various plants are better pollinated. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
2. After pollination, potassium sulfate must be added to the ground in a pot.
3. Wait until the end of flowering and the appearance of boxes with seeds. Rip them off before they burst.
4. You should not dry the boxes. Wrap them in napkins and wait for them to crack. Collect and use seeds.

Presowing seed preparation: ways to strengthen seedlings

Any seeds must be pre-treated in order to sprout better. The first way is to lower the planting material into a container of cold water. Dishwashing detergent should be dissolved in water, at the rate of 2 drops per 150-200 ml. You need to soak the seeds for 3 days, while changing the solution daily. The water should neither warm up nor freeze. The second processing option is soaking in a slightly pink potassium permanganate for 13-14 hours.

Cyclamen seeds

Another way is to use special preparations Zircon or Epin. They should be diluted in a ratio of 3 drops per 300 ml of water and the seeds should be soaked for 16 hours. To carry out any of these procedures correctly, dip the cheesecloth or cotton pad rolled in several layers into the liquid. Place the seeds on one edge of the material and cover with the second.

Advice. Florists recommend dividing the seed into several parts and trying several methods of presowing treatment at the same time. Based on the results of the seedlings, evaluate which option turned out to be the most effective.

Soil preparation and planting cyclamen

A lightweight substrate from a specialist store is great for filling pots. However, you can make it yourself, using the same ingredients. To do this, mix peat and deciduous humus (or vermiculite) in equal proportions. Drainage holes are needed in the container where the flower will grow. Place a layer of expanded clay, pebbles or styrofoam at the bottom of the container to protect the tubers from rotting.

Seeds can be planted in two ways:

1. Dig shallow grooves and place the material in them.
2. Spread them out on a damp soil surface.

The distance between the seeds should be 3-4 cm. In both cases, the seed should be sprinkled with a thin layer of substrate.

Cyclamen care

For the seeds to germinate, place the pot in a cool and dark place. It is noticed that seedlings appear faster at + 15 ° С (1 month) than even at + 18 ° С (2 months or longer). The flower does not tolerate drying out of the soil. Monitor regular watering at any stage of growth.

Seedlings of cyclamen

Cyclamen care features:

1. Avoid direct sunlight on the plant. However, the room should still be well lit.
2. The optimum temperature regime for the plant: + 10 ° С in winter, about + 20 ... + 23 ° С in summer.
3. A young flower will need feeding. Until the cyclamen begins to form buds, mineral fertilizers can be applied to the soil.

Before flowering, the buds of the plant should be sprayed. With the onset of flowering, the need for water in the cyclamen increases sharply, spraying should be stopped. When the culture fades, watering gradually stops. It is better to pluck yellowed leaves. Faded corollas must be cut off along with the peduncle. The plant gradually goes into a dormant state.

Cyclamen is transplanted in late summer or early autumn, when young leaves appear on the plant:

• pick up a not very spacious pot;
• arrange drainage;
• disinfect the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Young cyclamen

The plant is usually transferred with an earthen clod. The root tuber must be buried no more than 2/3.
Cyclamen is sensitive to pests and rather gentle to care for.Therefore, in order for the plant to delight you every year with bright flowering, perform all the manipulations with it carefully.

Growing cyclamen: video