How to Grow Cyclamen? Latest Growing Methods and Precautions Explained
Cyclamen is a perennial herb with a sturdy, well-proportioned form, abundant flowers and lush leaves, and bright flower colors. It has high ornamental value and has become a widely grown indoor potted flower in recent years. It is also highly resistant to pollution, with a certain tolerance to sulfur dioxide and chlorine. Grown in the home, it can not only decorate the home but also purify the air. Below we share its growing methods and precautions.
Propagation Methods
1. Seed propagation: Select seeds of uniform size and plump grains. Before sowing, disinfect them with 75% alcohol first, rinse them clean, then soak them in warm water for one day before sowing. Another method is to wrap the seeds in gauze, soak them in warm water for one day, then rub and wash the seed coat clean after soaking before sowing. After sowing, keep the temperature at around 18 degrees and the humidity at around 90%. They will germinate in about three weeks, and seedlings will emerge after one month.
2. Stem cutting propagation: Carry this out after the flowering period or in August-September. Select strong, healthy plants free of disease, and cut off the corm section that has more than two growing buds. The cutting tool must be disinfected to avoid infection by pathogens. Sprinkle plant ash on the cut wound. After cutting, let the corm dry, then it can be planted in another pot.
Growing Methods
1. Soil: A loose, breathable, fertile soil with good drainage is suitable, and the soil should be on the neutral side.
2. Light: Cyclamen likes a sunny, well-lit environment, so it should be placed in a spot with ample light. Especially in winter when temperatures are low, it needs even more light. However, it dislikes direct strong light. Summer sunlight is rather intense, so appropriate shading is needed.
3. Temperature: It likes a warm climate, with the optimal growing temperature being 10-20 degrees. Below 5 degrees, growth slows down. Above 30 degrees, the plant enters dormancy. If above 35 degrees, the plant will rot and die. Therefore, the summer temperature must not exceed 30 degrees, and the winter temperature must not fall below 0 degrees.
4. Watering: It likes a moist environment but dislikes waterlogging. Too much standing water makes the roots rot and die easily, so the amount of water must be controlled. Do not let excessive watering cause too much standing water.
5. Fertilizing: It has little demand for nutrients. During the spring and autumn growing seasons, apply one dose of low-concentration potassium phosphate fertilizer. Remember not to apply excessive nitrogen fertilizer during the flowering period, otherwise the branches and leaves will grow extremely fast while the flowers will have a shorter lifespan and will wither and drop early.
6. Ventilation: If grown in a poorly ventilated environment, the petals will drop quickly, so ventilate often. However, do not place it in a drafty spot.
7. Pests and diseases: Cyclamen has many diseases. During growing, be sure to pay attention, prevent diseases from occurring, and deal with any disease promptly once found.
Precautions
The soil should be neutral, not acidic or alkaline. In summer, be sure to watch for temperature changes. If it exceeds 30 degrees, find a way to lower the temperature of the growing environment. When there is strong light, remember to shade it. When watering, be careful not to pour water on the flower buds and tender leaves, so as to prevent the flower buds and tender leaves from rotting. When fertilizing, the concentration must not be too high. Be sure to dilute it, so as to prevent too high a concentration from “burning yellow” the plant. Ventilate frequently, especially during the flowering period, but do not grow it in a drafty spot.
The above is the growing methods and precautions for cyclamen introduced by the editor. Through this article, I believe everyone has now mastered the growing methods for cyclamen.