Can cyclamen be grown hydroponically? Hydroponic methods and care guide

Cyclamen, also known as rabbit ear flower, rabbit flower, yipinguan, and radish begonia. Its flower meaning is introversion. Cyclamen is very suitable for potted cultivation, especially indoor potted plants, where it can often be seen. Below we explain the hydroponic methods and care guide for cyclamen.

1. Growth characteristics

It belongs to the genus Cyclamen in the family Primulaceae. Cyclamen plants are 15-40cm tall and have flattened round fleshy tubers. The leaves grow in clusters at the top of the tuber, with long petioles, nearly heart-shaped, green with silvery white markings, and margins with blunt teeth of varying sizes. Flowers emerge from the leaf axils, mostly large, with fleshy long peduncles (15-25cm); the calyx has 5 lobes, and there are 5 petals joined at the base into a short tube, with the upper parts recurved and twisted, like rabbit ears, hence the name "rabbit ear flower." The plant form resembles an immortal treading on clouds, exceptionally elegant, hence it is also called "cyclamen." The flower colors are rich, including white, red (bright red, purplish red, orange-red, pink), purple, and mixed colors, and some are fragrant. The flowering period lasts up to 5 months. It is a precious potted flower for winter and spring.

2. Hydroponic methods

(1) In late August, after cyclamen has gone dormant and before it resumes growth, select plants with tubers over 3cm, more than 10 leaves, no pests or diseases, and healthy growth, dig them out and wash the roots before using them for hydroponics.

(2) Generally, for tubers over 3cm, choose a container with a diameter over 15cm. Anchor the tuber to be transplanted in the planting cup with foam plastic, clay pebbles, water moss, or vermiculite, leaving 1/3 of the tuber exposed, and do not bury the growth point. The roots that grow out should be immersed in the nutrient solution. When converting from soil culture or substrate culture to hydroponics, it is best to acclimate for 1 week. After 1 week, provide light in the morning and evening, and after 1 month provide full-day light. The nutrient solution level should preferably submerge 1/2 of the root system.

(3) Use Garden Test nutrient solution at about 1/2 of the standard concentration, pH 6-7, and replace it every 25-30 days.

3. Care guide

(1) Temperature and light

The suitable temperature for cyclamen growth is 10-20°C. When the temperature is above 30°C, the plant enters a dormant state. Above 35°C, if ventilation is poor, root rot may occur. The safe wintering temperature is 10°C; if it is below 10°C, the flowers will suffer cold damage. Cyclamen likes sufficient scattered light and avoids direct sunlight.

(2) Watering

When the indoor air is too dry, cyclamen flower buds are prone to drying out and turning black, and the leaves will also gradually turn yellow, significantly shortening the flowering period, so water should often be sprayed on the leaf surface to increase air humidity.

(3) Fertilizing

When changing the water for hydroponic cyclamen, add nutrient solution. After the flowering period, it can be maintained in plain water.

(4) Changing water

At the very beginning of hydroponic cyclamen, place the plant in a dark place and change the plain water once every 5 days. After 1 week, new roots can grow at the bottom of the tuber, and at this point it can be moved to a bright place for care. When the water roots reach more than 5cm, switch to hydroponic nutrient solution for care. The picture shows hydroponic cyclamen.

(5) Pest and disease control

Hydroponic cyclamen is prone to soft rot and aphids. In the high-temperature season from July to August, if ventilation is poor, soft rot is likely to occur, so timely prevention is needed. Dense old leaves and dead leaves can be pruned; if aphids are found, kill them promptly and observe at any time for recurrence.

Can cyclamen be grown hydroponically? Hydroponic cultivation methods for cyclamen

The flower meaning of cyclamen includes welcoming honored guests and hospitality, so it is a flower very suitable for placing in the living room, giving visiting guests a feeling of being at home. Can cyclamen be grown hydroponically? Of course cyclamen can be grown hydroponically, and hydroponic cyclamen gives people a feeling of freshness, clarity, and pure elegance. Compared with soil-grown cyclamen, the cultivation method is also easier, so it is very popular. Below let us look at the hydroponic cultivation methods for cyclamen.

Cyclamen introduction

Chinese name: cyclamen

Scientific name: Cyclamen persicum

Aliases: radish begonia, rabbit ear flower, rabbit flower, yipinguan, bonfire flower, fan-petal lotus

Family: Myrsinaceae

Genus: Cyclamen

Origin and distribution: Cyclamen is native to Greece, Syria, and other Mediterranean regions, northern Africa, and Asia Minor. It was introduced to Paris, Europe, only in 1620, while cultivation in England began in 1731. In 1840, cyclamen was introduced to China.

Morphological characteristics: Cyclamen is a perennial herbaceous plant. The underground flattened round fleshy tuber is 4-12cm in diameter. It sprouts at the end of winter and blooms in autumn. Flowers are solitary, with long peduncles, in purplish red, red, pink, and white, and the base of the perianth often has purplish red spots; the leaves are heart-shaped, gray-green, with silver-gray patterns on them.

Can cyclamen be grown hydroponically?

Can cyclamen be grown hydroponically? Cyclamen is a flowering plant that can be grown hydroponically, and hydroponic cyclamen gives people a feeling of freshness, clarity, and pure elegance. Compared with soil-grown cyclamen, the cultivation method is also easier, so it is very popular. Below let us look at the hydroponic cultivation methods for cyclamen.

1. Selection of plants and containers

For cyclamen, it is advisable to choose healthy, robust 1-3 year old plants with buds ready to open. It is best to choose ones that have previously been grown in soilless culture substrate (perlite, vermiculite, wood chips, etc.), so that after a change of environment, the cyclamen will not have damaged roots, will not need to be acclimated, and will adapt faster.

Container selection is simple and convenient. Any water-holding container such as a fish tank, teacup, beverage box, wine bottle, or vase can be used, allowing full play to the ability to reuse waste. Transparent containers are best from an appearance standpoint, allowing full appreciation of the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruit of the cyclamen. The basic principle for choosing a container is that its size, height, and color should coordinate with the cyclamen plant, highlighting the exquisite, translucent, crystal-clear, and elegant charm of hydroponic cyclamen.

2. Hydroponic timing and methods

Since the flowering period of cyclamen is generally from October to June of the following year, the best time for hydroponic cyclamen is from September to April of the following year, slightly 1-2 months earlier than the flowering period.

Remove the selected cyclamen plant from the pot. Without damaging the roots, wash off the substrate attached to the root system with warm water at about 20°C, and place it directly into the container. The water depth in the container should be level with the root zone, and at the deepest must not exceed 1/3 of the tuber, otherwise the tuber will rot. Place the prepared hydroponic cyclamen in a suitable indoor location, and regularly add water and nutrient solution. After the cyclamen flowers fade, take it out and place it in cultivation substrate to spend the summer.

3. Requirements for water quality and water temperature

For hydroponic cyclamen, it is best to use mountain spring water or magnetized water. This water is clean and contains various trace elements necessary for plants, ensuring that no water changes are needed throughout the hydroponic period. Tap water, however, contains chlorine, which is unfavorable for flower growth, and tends to become cloudy and form sediment, so it needs to be changed every few days.

The water temperature should be kept close to the indoor air temperature at the time, generally 10-20°C.

4. Requirements for light and indoor temperature

Cyclamen likes a sunny environment, so place it on a table or windowsill with ample indoor sunlight, but people in the north should be careful not to place cyclamen directly on a radiator to be heated.

The most suitable indoor temperature is 15-20°C, with a maximum of no more than 25°C and a minimum of no less than 10°C.

5. Adding nutrient solution

During the flowering period, hydroponic cyclamen should be regularly supplemented with nutrients. Generally calculated per cyclamen plant, add 50ml of 1:100 diluted flowering plant nutrient solution to each plant every 10 days. If you prepare the nutrient solution yourself, use mountain spring water rather than tap water.

If phenomena such as yellow leaves, small leaves, and small flowers are found in cyclamen, after ruling out root rot, an appropriate amount of additional nutrient solution may be added.

Conclusion: These are all the cultivation methods for hydroponic cyclamen. They are still very simple and easy to carry out, right? However, the root and stem parts of cyclamen are somewhat toxic. Eating them can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and skin contact can cause redness and swelling, so extra attention should be paid during cultivation.

Can cyclamen be grown hydroponically in winter? Hydroponic methods and precautions for cyclamen

Cyclamen likes warmth and fears heat. It grows best in a cool environment and in fertile sandy loam rich in humus. It is relatively cold-tolerant and can withstand low temperatures of 0°C without freezing. Autumn to spring of the following year is its growing season, and it is semi-dormant in summer. So can cyclamen be grown hydroponically in winter? Today, wed114 wedding website brings you hydroponic methods and precautions for cyclamen.

Can cyclamen be grown hydroponically in winter?

Cyclamen can be grown hydroponically, and hydroponic cyclamen is not difficult, so we can boldly try hydroponic cyclamen.

Hydroponic methods and precautions for cyclamen

Choosing a hydroponic vessel

For the hydroponic cyclamen vessel, you can choose according to your own preferences, but be sure to choose a vessel that matches the size and growth of the plant. It can be glass or plastic.

Preparing the hydroponic plant

To grow cyclamen hydroponically, first prepare the plant to be grown hydroponically. First turn the cyclamen potted flower out of the pot together with the soil, then rinse it gently under a faucet to clean the roots and stems, or place the plant together with the soil in a basin filled with water, wash the soil clean, and then rinse it once more with tap water.

The washed plant can be placed in a cool, ventilated place to air-dry until dry.

Carrying out hydroponics

Then you can add water to the prepared vessel, and place the air-dried cyclamen directly into the vessel;

Also note that the water level must be kept below the bulb. If the water evaporates, you can add water to the container 1-2 times per week to restore the water level.

Note also that the water should be changed once every two to three weeks to keep the water free of pathogens and debris. The temperature of the newly changed water should be close to the indoor air temperature at the time, generally 10°C to 20°C

Water quality for hydroponic cyclamen

The most important point is what kind of water to use for hydroponics:

Tap water can be used, but it must be left to stand for a period first. Water containing nutrients can also be used, as long as there are no other debris.