How to care for cyclamen in winter? Growing methods and precautions

SummaryWater: During cultivation, the soil for cyclamen should not be too moist, as this easily causes root rot. If it becomes droopy, water it promptly. In winter, add a small amount of warm water when watering and choose 12 o'clock to do the watering. Light: In winter, as long as the leaves have not drooped, it can be moved outdoors to receive plenty of light. Temperature: At 0°C, frost damage is likely, so it needs to be moved indoors. Fertilizer: During the flowering period, ensure sufficient and balanced nutrition; you can choose a special fertilizer for cyclamen.

I. Methods for growing cyclamen in winter

1. Soil

Cyclamen likes to be planted in loose, fertile, airy, acidic peat soil, with a suitable pH of 5.8-6.5.

2. Water

During cultivation, the soil should not be too moist, to avoid causing root rot in the plant. When the growing environment has not changed and the cyclamen flower stems become droopy, water promptly, and make sure the water temperature is not too low; water that is too cold will cause frost damage to the plant.

For those growing plants in the north with heating, tap water can be left in the sun for 2-3 days, and watered once the water temperature is the same as the indoor temperature.

When growing in the south, add a small amount of warm water in winter; the water temperature should feel comfortable to the touch. You can choose to water around 12 noon, when the temperature is higher.

3. Light

When growing cyclamen in winter, when the temperature is below 25°C, as long as the flower stems and leaves have not drooped, it can be moved outdoors to get more sun; sufficient light can make the flowers grow more brilliantly colored.

4. Temperature

The suitable growing temperature for cyclamen is 10-20°C. When the temperature is below 5°C, growth slows down; when the temperature is 0°C, frost damage is likely; when the temperature is above 30°C, the plant stops growing and enters a dormant state.

5. Fertilizer

During the flowering period, cyclamen must have sufficient and balanced nutrition, so do not apply too much nitrogen fertilizer. There is special cyclamen fertilizer sold on the market with relatively complete nutrition; just use it according to the instructions.

II. Precautions for growing cyclamen

1. Environment: Cyclamen should not grow in smoky, dusty, or polluted environments, as this will cause the petals to dry up and wither. It also should not be placed directly in a drafty spot.

2. Gray mold symptoms: Diseased areas have water-soaked small spots 1-2mm in diameter, which gradually enlarge later, turn brown, and rot. When gray mold infects the leaf stalks and flower stalks, the leaves and flowers bend and collapse, and the diseased areas show a gray mold layer, which later turns earthy yellow. The cause is high humidity and poor ventilation.

3. Soft rot symptoms: This is generally caused by bacterial infection. The diseased areas soften and rot, mostly seen on the corm. It is mainly due to incomplete disinfection of the substrate, or no disinfection at all. The incidence is higher under high temperature and high humidity.

4. Control methods: Ventilate promptly to reduce indoor humidity, remove infected leaves to reduce sources of infection, and spray broad-spectrum fungicides such as carbendazim, zineb, and agricultural streptomycin for control.