Cyclamen Propagation Methods and Post-Bloom Care Tips
Cyclamen is a flower variety introduced and cultivated in China from abroad. It is currently distributed in many places across China and is a plant with very high ornamental value. Cyclamen flowers are commonly seen in pink, white, and rose red, and are very beautiful. However, after its flowers fade, many people do not know what to do. In fact, there are tricks to solve this.
How to propagate cyclamen
1. Division of tubers. Cyclamen tubers cannot naturally produce offsets, so they cannot be propagated by division like ordinary bulbous flowers; they need to be cut into pieces manually. Generally, in late August when the tubers are about to sprout, cut the tuber vertically from the top into several pieces. Each piece should have a bud eye. Coat the cut surfaces with plant ash, let them dry slightly, and then plant them separately in flower pots. With careful management, they will soon unfold leaves and bloom.
2. Tissue culture propagation. Cyclamen tissue culture propagation can use flower stamens, tubers, leaves, young stems, etc. as explants, generally collected from one- or two-year-old young plants. Among them, tubers are the easiest explants for inducing seedlings. For tubers as explants, MS medium can be used, with MS+3mg/L 6-BA+1mg/L NAA as the induction medium, 1/2MS+0.3mg/L NAA as the rooting medium, and MS+3mg/L 6-BA+0.4mg/L NAA as the subculture medium.
3. Seed propagation method. Cyclamen seeds can only be obtained after artificial pollination. The seeds generally mature in May and should be harvested in time. Cyclamen seeds are relatively large, with a 1000-grain weight of about 10g, and the germination rate is generally 85%-95%. To promote seed germination, soak the seeds before sowing to speed up germination. Soak in cold water for 24h or in 30°C warm water for 2-3h, then clean off the sticky matter on the seed surface, wrap them in a wet cloth to promote germination, and keep them at 25°C for 1-2d. Once the seeds show slight signs of sprouting, take them out and sow. The sowing time is generally from September to October, and ordinary flower pots can be used for sowing.
What to do after cyclamen flowers fade
After cyclamen flowers finish blooming, the flower pot should be moved together to a place with good air circulation and relatively shady conditions, such as a room that does not face the sun. Management is not much different from daily care. When watering, it is still necessary to water thoroughly so that the entire pot soil is soaked, so as to maintain the freshness and firmness of the tuber. Second, flowers that have already begun dormancy do not need much nutrients, and basically no fertilizer is needed throughout the whole period.
How to water cyclamen
1. Cyclamen should be kept in a semi-shady, cool environment. Be sure not to place it on a radiator. Keep the soil alternately dry and wet, and ventilate for about one hour every day.
2. Pay attention to watering cyclamen during the flowering period. When watering, it is best to see water overflowing from the bottom of the pot. Do not pour or spray water onto the flowers, otherwise it will cause the flowers to rot. When water is lost, it should be placed in a cool place and watered thoroughly. The pH value of the water should be ≤7, that is, neutral to slightly acidic.
How to fertilize cyclamen
1. Liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer is a commonly used flower fertilizer, and many plants need it during growth. It is generally mainly used for topdressing. The specific method is to first mix it according to the proportion, and then pour it directly into the pot. How much fertilizer to pour per pot depends on the size of the pot. Generally speaking, 300 milliliters should be used for 15 cm, and 500 milliliters for 20 cm. In addition, the amount we apply is best such that it can moisten the flower soil but not flow out, because otherwise it may very likely lead to insufficient nutrients or nutrient loss.
2. Foliar topdressing. In addition to some commonly used fertilizers, we also need to provide it with fertilizer containing trace elements, but we should note that we cannot give it too high a concentration of fertilizer. Usually we give it 0.1% or 0.3% fertilizer.
After cyclamen flowers fade, watering and fertilizing can be appropriately reduced. Daily care remains the same, and it will bloom again the next year. If you want cyclamen to grow more, you can choose propagation methods such as sowing, tissue culture, and tuber division. Care after propagation needs to be strengthened.