The Latest Causes and Solutions for Yellowing Cyclamen Leaves

Everyone knows that overwatering cyclamen causes root rot, which happens because too much water prevents the roots from absorbing oxygen. So what should you do when cyclamen leaves turn yellow? What is going on? Below, let me explain some of the causes and solutions for yellowing cyclamen leaves!

Causes of Yellowing Cyclamen Leaves

1. Long-term nutrient deficiency: If no nitrogen fertilizer has been applied for a long time, or the pot and water have not been changed, a lack of nitrogen and other nutrients in the water leads to weak branches and leaves, with thin and yellow foliage. You need to promptly replace it with fresh culture water and gradually apply dilute, well-rotted liquid fertilizer or compound flower fertilizer.

2. Excessive fertilization: Too much fertilizer causes new leaves to become thick and fleshy, often uneven and bumpy, while old leaves dry at the tips, turn scorched yellow and drop off. Fertilizing should be stopped immediately and the amount of water changed should be increased so the fertilizer is leached away, or the plant should immediately be repotted, with the bulb rinsed in water before being replanted in the pot.

3. Hot, high temperatures: If the cyclamen is placed in a hot spot under direct strong sunlight, it is very easy for the tips and edges of young leaves to become scorched, or for leaves to turn yellow and drop. It needs to be moved promptly to a well-ventilated, shady place.

4. Excessive shade: If cyclamen is kept in a shady spot or a place with insufficient light for a long time, its branches and leaves will turn yellow.

5. Alkaline soil and water: When the growing environment lacks absorbable soluble iron and other elements, the leaves will gradually turn yellow. When planting, choose acidic soil and water, and during the growing period regularly water with alum fertilizer water.

6. Too dense and poorly ventilated: If too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied, the branches and leaves grow too lushly, and combined with a lack of pruning over time, the inner branches and leaves do not get enough light, which easily causes leaves to turn yellow and drop. Fertilize sensibly and strengthen pruning so air and light can circulate.

7. Dry air: When indoor air is too dry, cyclamen often shows symptoms such as dried leaf tips or scorched leaf edges. Take measures such as misting and covering with a plastic film to increase air humidity.

Solutions for Yellowing Cyclamen Leaves

1. Cyclamen leaves curl and turn yellow

[Solution] It is lacking nutrients. Fertilize promptly. Buy specialized fertilizer from a flower shop, but do not supplement the plant's nutrients excessively. Usually you can bury a small amount of cooked soybeans, cooked peanuts, soybean cake, spoiled steamed buns, etc. in the pot, so you will not need to worry about a lack of nutrients.

2. Cyclamen cultivation problems, flower stems rot, flowers and leaves turn yellow

[Solution] It has been overwatered. Stop watering and wait until it has healed and the soil is dry before watering again.

3. Leaves turn yellow from too much water, while with too little water the newly emerged flower buds wither. How often is it best to water? Is it better to spray with a watering can or water directly into the pot?

[Solution] A well-cared-for cyclamen can bloom twice a year, mainly in spring and autumn. It likes semi-shade, so do not place it in direct sunlight. In summer, when temperatures are high, cyclamen goes dormant. During dormancy, water as little as possible, just keeping the soil moist to prevent the roots from rotting due to too much water. When planting, it is best to leave one third of the flower's bulbous root exposed above the soil surface. When watering, pour it directly into the flower pot, and try not to get water on the leaves and flowers, because cyclamen leaves are round with a depression in the middle and easily hold water. If not handled well, after the water evaporates it leaves water stains, and over time the leaf surface cannot breathe properly, making it easy for the leaves to dry up and turn yellow, which affects their ornamental value. It is best to wipe them with a soft cloth. When watering, water only when the soil is dry and water thoroughly each time. Do not water every day, because cyclamen has a bulbous root with the ability to store water, and too much water easily causes bud drop and yellowing leaves. In spring, when the weather is dry, water once every three days; in autumn, watering about once every five days is enough.

4. Cyclamen leaves have curled up

① Light: Cyclamen should be placed in a bright spot such as a window or balcony, and the position of the pot should be changed frequently. Sufficient light can make the flowers more vivid and the leaves more glossy. Although cyclamen belongs to the relatively shade-tolerant Primulaceae family, prolonged insufficient light easily makes its leaves turn yellow.

② Water: Watering should be properly controlled; too much water causes root rot. You can wait until the flowers and leaves are slightly wilted before watering. For watering, you can use the bottom-soaking method, and do not pour too much water over the leaf surface.

③ Ventilation: Cyclamen likes ventilation. Smoke, dust and stale air will cause the petals to dry up and fade, but it should not be placed directly in a drafty spot either. Temperature: A room temperature above 5°C allows cyclamen to grow normally. When room temperature is on the low side, cyclamen can maintain a longer flowering period, but flowers emerge slowly; when room temperature is on the high side, flowers emerge quickly but the flowering period is short.

④ Humidity: Humidity should be kept at 60%-70%. Too little humidity makes the flowers smaller, while too much humidity causes gray mold and other fungal diseases on the petals and leaves. Never spray water on the petals, otherwise the petals will rot.

⑤ Fertilizer: Fertilize twice a month. You can use imported or domestic compound fertilizer, 5 to 8 granules each time, placed 2 cm deep in the growing medium.

5. Cyclamen flowers and leaves turn yellow and dry up

Cyclamen leaves turning yellow and drying up are mainly caused by poor air permeability of the potting soil and the potting soil being too dry. When the temperature is 15-25°C, you can change to soil with better air permeability, and watering should be done from the bottom. Water only when the potting soil is dry, and only when the water temperature is close to room temperature.