What points should be noted when fertilizing cyclamen?
During the various growth stages of cyclamen, the types and amounts of fertilizer required are all different, and this must be paid close attention to when growing it. Fertilizing cyclamen cannot be generalized; each stage has its own emphasis.
Under normal circumstances, the peak of potassium uptake is from May to September, the peak of nitrogen and calcium uptake is from August to October, and the peak of magnesium uptake is from September to October. Therefore, during fertilization, attention should be paid to seasonal changes, and the supply of different elements should be appropriately increased in different months. For example, in September and October, a foliar spray of a mixture of 0.2% urea and 0.2% magnesium sulfate can be applied to meet the growth needs of cyclamen.
Fertilizing time: The fertilizing time should generally be chosen on a sunny day, in the morning when the temperature is relatively suitable; do not fertilize at noon, and try not to fertilize in the afternoon either. This is because fertilizing in the afternoon (especially liquid fertilizer) easily increases the plant's nighttime humidity, causing pathogen infection and damage, and affecting plant health.
Fertilizing methods: The fertilizing methods for cyclamen generally include applying liquid fertilizer as a top dressing, broadcasting granular fertilizer, and foliar top dressing.
(1) Liquid fertilizer. It is generally used more often during plant growth, mainly as a top dressing. The application method is: pour the prepared fertilizer directly into the pot; the amount used per pot depends on the size of the pot. For a 15 cm pot, use about 300 ml per pot; for a 20 cm pot, use about 500 ml per pot. The fertilizing amount should be enough to fully moisten the substrate without excessive nutrient solution flowing out, so as to avoid nutrient loss.
(2) Granular fertilizer. A certain amount of granular fertilizer can be mixed in when preparing the substrate, with about 3 grams per kilogram of substrate; it can also be sprinkled into the pot as a top dressing during plant growth. The application position should be as close as possible to the edge of the pot surface or far from the roots, to avoid direct contact with the plant's root system and damage to the roots. For a 15 cm pot, sprinkle about 15-20 granules per pot; for a 20 cm pot, sprinkle about 20-25 granules per pot. After sprinkling, water thoroughly, as this helps the fertilizer dissolve and be absorbed.
(3) Foliar top dressing. It is mostly used to supplement trace elements and treat nutrient deficiency symptoms, and its concentration should not be too high. Generally, 0.1-0.3% is sufficient. In addition, the spraying time should be as early as possible before 10 a.m. on a sunny day, and a temperature of 20°C is relatively suitable. If there are special circumstances, it can also be sprayed after 4 p.m., so as to give full play to the fertilizer effect and facilitate the plant's absorption and utilization.
Reasonable mixed use of fertilizers: Reasonably mixing fertilizers can not only save labor and time, but also improve fertilizer use efficiency. However, not all fertilizers can be mixed. For example, urea cannot be mixed with potassium nitrate, but it can be mixed with potassium sulfate; calcium nitrate cannot be mixed with ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate, but with potassium sulfate it should be mixed and used immediately, and so on. These situations should be noted during the process of preparing nutrient solution.
What should be noted when cultivating cyclamen
Proper cultivation methods for cyclamen can extend the flowering period and make the flower colors more brilliant. When growing it, special attention should be paid to fertilizer and water management, ventilation and shading, and repotting.
1. Strengthen fertilizer and water management. During the growth and development period of cyclamen, fertilize once every ten days, and gradually expose it to more sunlight so that the leaf stalks do not grow too long and affect its appearance. When the flower stalks emerge and the buds are about to open, apply one additional application of bone meal or superphosphate. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, it can bloom around New Year's Day. During the flowering period, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and control watering. Especially on rainy and snowy days, water must not be poured on the flower buds and young leaves, otherwise they will easily rot and affect normal flowering. After flowering, apply bone meal once more to promote fruit development and seed maturation. Around May, the fruit begins to mature; after harvesting, peel open the fruit skin to take out the seeds, dry them in a ventilated place, and store them. In the early growth stage of cyclamen, a 20-20-20 general fertilizer can be used, that is, nitrogen content (n) 20%, phosphorus content (p2o5) 20%, and potassium content (k2o) 20%. During the flowering period, a special fertilizer for potted flowers, 15-15-20 water-soluble high-efficiency nutrient solution, can be used.
2. Pay attention to ventilation and shading. During the growth period of cyclamen, always pay attention to indoor ventilation and shading. When the leaves are lush, widen the spacing between pots to avoid yellowing and rotting of leaves caused by crowding. Around the Spring Festival, cyclamen enters its full flowering period. On sunny days, ventilation should be adjusted to prevent excessive indoor humidity, which can cause flower wilting and water-soaked rot on the flower stalks. The fruiting period coincides with rising temperatures, and the amount of watering increases accordingly. Strictly prevent excessively high indoor temperature and humidity, and pay attention to ventilation adjustment, so as to avoid rotting of flower stems and moldy fruit. In mid-June, the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off, and the corm enters dormancy. Place the dormant corm in a well-ventilated, cool place and maintain a certain humidity. If it is too wet, the corm easily rots; if it is too dry, sprouting and flowering are delayed.
3. Repot at the right time. Generally, in mid-September the dormant corm begins to sprout; repot immediately, and do not let the potting soil cover the corm. When the newly repotted cyclamen corm is producing new roots, watering should not be too much, to prevent the corm from rotting; the potting soil is best kept slightly dry.
Is cyclamen poisonous?
In fact, plants of the cyclamen genus are somewhat toxic, especially their root and stem parts. If swallowed by mistake, they may cause symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting; skin contact may cause redness, swelling, and itching of the skin. If these symptoms appear, please consult a doctor for guidance, and do not let animals or children accidentally eat this plant or its roots and stems.
The growth habits of cyclamen
Cyclamen likes a warm environment and is afraid of heat. It can also grow very well in a cool environment and in fertile sandy loam rich in humus. It is also relatively cold-tolerant, able to withstand low temperatures of at least 0°C without frost damage. Autumn to the spring of the following year is its growing season, summer is its semi-dormant period, and in winter the most suitable growth temperature is between 12-16°C.
What should be noted when growing cyclamen
When cultivating it, be sure to choose loose and fertile soil. You can also use a culture soil mixed with 2 parts leaf mold plus 1 part garden soil and a small amount of superphosphate. The culture soil for it needs to be fumigated and disinfected. When repotting, judge according to the size of the plant and gradually increase the pot size. Do not start by using a large pot to grow a small seedling.
When planting, shallow planting is preferable. When potting or repotting large seedlings, make 2/3~1/2 of the corm sit above the soil surface, so as to prevent the corm from rotting due to moisture in the soil. Avoid applying concentrated fertilizer; concentrated fertilizer easily damages the roots. Top dressing can be applied about 3 times a month. Before fertilizing, loosen the soil, and choose a sunny day for top dressing. Fertilizer must not be applied from the top of the plant; it should be applied to the side. After fertilizing, spray water to rinse it off.
Cyclamen tubers cannot naturally produce offset bulbs, so they cannot be propagated by dividing bulbs 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 vertically from the top into several pieces. Each piece should carry a bud eye. Coat the cut surfaces with plant ash, let them dry slightly, and then plant them separately in flower pots. With careful management, they will soon unfold leaves and bloom.
After initial planting, the potting soil should not be too wet; slight moisture is sufficient. Later, according to the sprouting condition of the plant, gradually increase watering and provide sufficient sunlight. After the leaves grow out, keep the potting soil constantly moist. At the same time, apply a diluted well-rotted liquid fertilizer once a week as a top dressing until fertilizing stops before flowering. When fertilizing and watering, avoid submerging the top of the corm, otherwise the terminal bud easily rots.