Cyclamen: Qingzhou City Flower Seed Prices, Sowing Time, Care, and Yellow Leaf Treatment
Cyclamen, also known as root radish begonia, rabbit ear flower, rabbit flower, first-class crown, bonfire flower, and rolled-petal lotus, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Primulaceae family, Cyclamen genus.So how much does cyclamen seed cost per jin? When to plant it? How to care for it? What if the leaves turn yellow? According to the Jiangxi flower planting base, the price of cyclamen seeds is 8-12 yuan/jin, the sowing rate per mu is about 4-5 jin, the plant height is 38-68 cm, and the flowering time is 75-100 days, with slight differences in flowering across regions. A pot of cyclamen can cost 3 yuan, 5 yuan, 10 yuan, 15 yuan, or 20 yuan, and during the Spring Festival, larger ones cost 30 yuan. Different quality and different sizes mean different prices.
When should cyclamen be planted?
1. The sowing time for cyclamen depends on the genetic characteristics of the seeds, the climate conditions of the planting area, and the market release time of the finished product. In southern regions, F1 large-flowered varieties are generally sown from November to February of the following year; medium-flowered varieties can be sown 15-30 days later; mini varieties should be sown between January and March. As latitude increases (average temperature decreases), the sowing period should be appropriately advanced. However, in areas where cyclamen has no obstacles to overwintering, the sowing period can be relatively delayed.
2. Sowing and propagation is one of the common methods for propagating cyclamen. Cyclamen seeds must be obtained after artificial pollination, and 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 general germination rate is 85%-95%. To promote seed germination, seeds can be soaked before sowing to speed up germination. Soak seeds in cold water for 24 h or in warm water at 30°C for 2-3 h, then wash off the sticky material on the seed surface, wrap them in a wet cloth to promote germination, and keep them at 25°C for 1-2 days; once the seeds begin to sprout slightly, take them out and sow. The sowing time is generally September-October, and ordinary flower pots can be used for sowing.
How should cyclamen be cared for?
1. Soil selection for growing cyclamen
The growing medium can be prepared with 3 parts humus soil, 2 parts forest leaf mold, 2 parts furnace ash cinders, 2 parts river sand (sandy vegetable garden soil), and 1 part fully decomposed compost, with an appropriate addition of chemical substances such as superphosphate. This kind of soil is loose and fertile, suitable for cyclamen growth. When cultivating, the growing medium must be fumigated and strictly disinfected at high temperature. The cultivation container should be gradually increased according to the size of the tuber; small seedlings should not be grown in large pots.
2. Fertilization methods for growing cyclamen
Cyclamen likes fertilizer, but not strong fertilizer. In addition to applying some base fertilizer when repotting and changing soil, it can generally be fertilized once every ten days to half a month, with emphasis on frequent application of dilute fertilizer. After planting, during the vegetative growth period lasting several months, organic liquid fertilizer can be applied at concentrations of 1:6, 1:8, and 1:10, using muddy water to water the flowers. After summer arrives, if the temperature cannot be controlled, fertilization should be stopped.
3. Watering methods for growing cyclamen
Cyclamen can tolerate drought. However, during the growing season, the soil should be kept moist, and care should be taken that water does not accumulate in the pot. Cyclamen does not like overly wet soil, and watering should be frequent but light. If it does not go dormant in summer, normal watering can be carried out, keeping the potting soil dry-moist. After the Start of Autumn, cyclamen enters the reproductive growth period, and at this time phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied. If the plant is found to be growing excessively, switch to superphosphate or wood ash extract to control vegetative growth, promote flower bud differentiation, and encourage budding and flowering.
4. Temperature requirements for growing cyclamen
The suitable winter growth temperature for cyclamen is 10-22°C, and the difference between day and night should be maintained at 8-10°C. If the nighttime temperature is controlled at 7-8°C, it can also bloom, but the flowering period will be slightly delayed; however, if it is below 6°C, it cannot bloom normally.
5. Light requirements for growing cyclamen
Temperature and light both have a certain influence on the growth and development of cyclamen. Throughout the entire growth process, the main approach is to start with temperature and consider extending the flowering period. After the number of flowers decreases at the end of April, the potted flowers should be moved out of the greenhouse and placed in a ventilated, cool area with scattered light for cultivation. Climate changes, suitable temperature, and light will also cause cyclamen to grow another batch of flower stems and continue blooming. In the Yangtze River Basin and areas to its south, leaves gradually turn yellow after May, which reflects rising temperatures; at this time, watering should be controlled. In summer, if conditions permit, cooling equipment should be used to lower the environmental temperature.
6. Pest and disease control methods for growing cyclamen
During the growing season, cyclamen is easily harmed by aphids, red spider mites, leaf rollers, and others, so attention should be paid to control. At the same time, cyclamen roots are prone to nematode disease. For treatment, pesticides such as carbofuran can be used for potting soil disinfection, with 2-3 grams per pot (0.1% of soil weight), mixed into the soil. Cyclamen is also prone to soft rot, leaf spot, fungal wilt, and anthracnose. When disease occurs, effective spraying can be carried out with a 0.01% concentration thiophanate-methyl aqueous solution, or 0.15%-0.2% concentration solutions of thiram or chlorothalonil.
7. Precautions for growing cyclamen
When summer temperatures exceed 28°C, cyclamen tubers begin to go dormant. If dormancy is not managed well, the tuber is very likely to dry out or rot. How to safely pass the summer is a difficult point in cyclamen cultivation.
Using robust young seedlings to pass the summer is the best method. One-year-old sown seedlings grow vigorously and have a weak tendency to go dormant in summer. Before summer arrives, fertilizer and water management should be strengthened to form strong seedlings, making the leaves thick, numerous, deeply colored, and glossy. Such seedlings have strong heat resistance, and at the same time, work to lower temperature and humidity should be done well. Cover with a shade net, increase ventilation, apply dilute fertilizer frequently, and spray water around the plants to lower the temperature. After passing the summer in late August, cyclamen enters the growing period, and fertilizer and water management should be strengthened.
What should be done if cyclamen leaves turn yellow?
1. When growing cyclamen, pay attention to light intensity, especially in summer when light is very strong. To avoid yellowing leaves on cyclamen, provide shade.
2. Watering must be appropriate; this is very important. Basically, water only after the soil has dried completely, and do not water too much at one time. Note: do not frequently spray water on cyclamen leaves.
3. Take the tuber out of the flower pot, place it in the refrigerator for cold storage, and in autumn take it out and replant it. It can still grow again.