How to Water Cyclamen, How Often to Water It, and Propagation Methods

Cyclamen is a common flowering plant grown in homes. Its flower colors are vivid and very attractive. Grown at home, it can both decorate the interior and lift people's mood, so it is deeply loved by everyone. Many people try to grow it, but in the process they run into watering problems that leave them at a loss, so how exactly should it be watered?

How to Water Cyclamen (How Often to Water)

Cyclamen does not like soil that is too wet. Watering should be frequent but light. If it does not go dormant in summer, normal watering can be carried out to keep the potting soil dry-moist. After the Start of Autumn, cyclamen enters its reproductive growth period, and at this time phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied. At a temperature of 17°C to 18°C, watering cyclamen once every 3 days is enough.

Cyclamen Propagation Methods

1. Seed propagation: Seed propagation is one of the commonly used methods of propagating cyclamen. Cyclamen seeds can only be obtained after artificial pollination. The seeds generally mature in May and should be harvested promptly. Cyclamen seeds are relatively large, with a thousand-grain weight of about 10 g, and the usual germination rate is 85%-95%. To promote seed germination, the seeds can be soaked to speed up sprouting before sowing, soaked in cold water for 24 h or in 30°C warm water for 2-3 h, then the sticky matter on the seed surface washed off, wrapped in a wet cloth to speed up sprouting, kept at 25°C for 1-2 d, and once the seeds show slight signs of sprouting they can be taken out and sown. Sowing time is generally September to October, and sowing in an ordinary flower pot is fine.

2. Tuber division propagation: Cyclamen tubers cannot naturally produce offsets, so they cannot be propagated by dividing offsets like ordinary bulbous flowers. They need to be propagated by artificial cutting into pieces. Generally in late August, when the tuber is about to sprout, cut the tuber lengthwise 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 they can be planted separately in flower pots. Before long they will unfurl leaves and bloom.

Reasons for Cyclamen Leaves Turning Yellow

1. Long-term fertilizer deficiency: If nitrogen fertilizer has not been applied for a long time or the pot or water has not been changed, and the water lacks nitrogen and other nutrient elements, the branches and leaves become weak, and the leaves are thin and yellow.

2. Excessive fertilization: If too much fertilizer is applied, new leaves will be thick and fleshy with many bumps and hollows, and old leaves will dry at the tips, scorch yellow, and fall off.

3. Hot high temperatures: If the narcissus is placed in a high-temperature spot exposed to direct strong sunlight, it is likely to cause the leaf tips and leaf margins of young leaves to scorch, or the leaves to turn yellow and fall off.

4. Soil and water tending alkaline: If the growing environment lacks elements such as soluble iron that it can absorb, the leaves will gradually turn yellow.

5. Too dense and poorly ventilated: If too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied, the branches and leaves grow too luxuriantly, and coupled with long-term lack of pruning, the inner branches and leaves do not get enough light, which easily causes leaves to turn yellow and fall off.

6. Dry air: When indoor air is too dry, the narcissus often shows phenomena such as dry leaf tips or scorched leaf margins.

Solutions for Cyclamen Leaves Turning Yellow

1. It is necessary to promptly change to fresh culture water and gradually increase the application of dilute decomposed liquid fertilizer or compound flower fertilizer.

2. Fertilization should be stopped immediately, the amount of water changed should be increased so the fertilizer is leached away, or the pot should be turned out at once and the bulb rinsed with water before replanting.

3. It needs to be moved promptly to a cool, well-ventilated place.

4. When planting, choose acidic soil and water, and frequently water with alum fertilizer water during the growing period.

5. Fertilize reasonably and strengthen pruning so that it is ventilated and gets light.

6. Attention should be paid to methods such as spraying water and covering with a plastic film cover to increase air humidity.

So cyclamen watering really does have so many finer points. It likes high temperatures yet fears cold, so watering also requires skill. You can water according to the methods above, and then it will not be so prone to problems. In addition, you must also watch out for the phenomenon of yellow leaves, which affects its appearance.