How much does a jin of cyclamen seeds cost? Sowing time, care and yellow leaves in Qingzhou
Cyclamen, also called root radish begonia, rabbit ear flower, rabbit flower, crown of the first rank, bonfire flower and flipped-petal lotus, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the primrose family, genus Cyclamen. So roughly how much does a jin of cyclamen seeds cost? When should it be planted? How should it be cared for? What should be done if the leaves turn yellow? From a flower planting base in Jiangxi we learned that 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 flowering conditions varying slightly from place to place. Also, the price of one pot of cyclamen can be 3 yuan, 5 yuan, 10 yuan, 15 yuan or 20 yuan, and during the Spring Festival larger ones cost 30 yuan. Different quality, different size, different price.
When is cyclamen planted?
1. The sowing time of cyclamen should be determined by the genetic characteristics of the seeds, the climatic conditions of the planting area, and the time the finished product goes on the market. In southern regions, large-flowered varieties (F1 generation) are generally sown from November to February of the following year; medium-flowered varieties can be sown 15-30 days later; miniature varieties should be sown between January and March. As the latitude increases (average temperature decreases), the sowing period should be appropriately advanced. However, in areas where cyclamen has no obstacle to overwintering, its sowing period can be relatively delayed.
2. Sowing and propagation is one of the common methods of propagating cyclamen. Cyclamen seeds can only be obtained after artificial pollination, and the seeds generally mature in May and should be harvested in time. 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, the seeds can be soaked to hasten germination before sowing, soaked in cold water for 24 h or in warm water at 30°C for 2-3 h, then the sticky matter on the seed surface should be washed off, and the seeds wrapped in a wet cloth to hasten germination, keeping the temperature at 25°C for 1-2 d; once the seeds show slight signs of sprouting, they can be taken out and sown. The sowing time is generally September to October, and sowing in ordinary flower pots is sufficient.
How is cyclamen cared for?
1. Soil selection for growing cyclamen
The culture soil can be prepared with 3 parts humus soil, 2 parts forest leaf mold, 2 parts furnace cinder, 2 parts river sand (sandy vegetable garden soil), and 1 part decomposed compost, with an appropriate addition of chemical agents such as superphosphate. This kind of soil is loose and fertile, suitable for cyclamen growth. When cultivating, the culture soil must be fumigated and strictly sterilized at high temperature. The container for cultivation should be gradually increased according to the size of the tuber, and a large pot must not be used to grow small seedlings.
2. Fertilization method for growing cyclamen
Cyclamen likes fertilizer but not concentrated fertilizer. Apart from 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 light fertilizer applied frequently. 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, watering the flowers with muddy water; after summer begins, if the temperature cannot be controlled, fertilization should be stopped.
3. Watering method for growing cyclamen
Cyclamen can tolerate drought. However, the soil must be kept moist during the growing season, and care should be taken that water does not accumulate in the pot. Cyclamen does not like overly wet soil, so watering should be frequent but light. If it does not go dormant in summer, normal watering can be carried out to keep 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 leggy, switch to superphosphate or plant ash extract to control vegetative growth, promote flower bud differentiation, and promote budding and flowering.
4. Temperature requirements for growing cyclamen
The suitable growth temperature for cyclamen in winter is 10-22°C, and a temperature difference of 8-10°C should be maintained between day and night. If the nighttime temperature is kept 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 place with scattered light for cultivation. Changes in climate, along with suitable temperature and light, will also cause cyclamen to grow another batch of flower stalks and continue to bloom. In the Yangtze River basin and areas to its south, the leaves gradually turn yellow after May, which reflects rising temperatures, and at this time watering should be controlled. In summer, if conditions permit, cooling equipment should be used to lower the ambient temperature.
6. Pest and disease control methods for growing cyclamen
During the growing season, cyclamen is easily harmed by aphids, red spiders, leaf rollers and others, so attention should be paid to control. At the same time, the roots of cyclamen are prone to nematode disease; for control, pesticides such as carbofuran can be used for potting soil disinfection treatment, with an amount of 2-3 g 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, an aqueous solution of thiophanate-methyl at a concentration of 0.01%, or aqueous solutions of thiram and chlorothalonil at a concentration of 0.15%-0.2%, can be used for effective spraying.
7. Precautions for growing cyclamen
When the temperature exceeds 28°C in early summer, cyclamen tubers begin to go dormant. If dormancy management is poor, the tubers are very likely to dry out or rot. How to safely get through summer is a difficult point in cyclamen cultivation.
Getting through summer with robust young seedlings is the best method. Annual seedlings from sowing grow vigorously and have a weak tendency to go dormant in summer. Before summer begins, 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 cooling and dehumidifying work should be done well. Cover with a shade net, increase ventilation, apply light fertilizer frequently, and spray water around the plants to lower the temperature. After getting through 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 of cyclamen leaves, shading should be carried out.
2. Watering must be appropriate, which is very important. Basically, water only after the soil has dried completely, and do not water too much at one time. Note that water should not frequently be sprayed onto cyclamen leaves.
3. Take the tuber out of the flower pot, put it in the refrigerator for cold storage, and then take it out in autumn and replant it. It can still grow again.