Where is the cyclamen native to? Characteristics and planting precautions explained
Do you know cyclamen? What are the care issues with cyclamen care? Cyclamen belongs to the primrose family, native to central Europe, southern Europe, Palestine, Asia Minor, the Aegean islands, and the eastern Mediterranean, but its distribution does not extend beyond Iran. There are about 24 original species.
The underground storage organ is formed by the enlargement of the hypocotyl. It does not divide into bulbs but simply keeps growing and enlarging, sometimes reaching a diameter of more than 20 cm. The leaves grow directly from the tuber, have long petioles, and are heart-shaped or oval with entire or wavy, slightly serrated margins.
Leaf color varies by variety. The upper leaf surface often has silvery-white or grayish-green patterned spots, and the underside is often purplish-red or dark purple.
The flowers emerge from the leaf axils, solitary and drooping at the tip of a long stalk (more than 5 cm), with 5 reflexed petals resembling rabbit ears, which is why it is also called the rabbit ear flower. Flower colors include white, peach pink, carmine, purplish-red and deep red, among others. Some varieties of flowers are also fragrant.
Cyclamen cultivation in Taiwan, China began during the Japanese occupation period, introduced around 1920, and was only trialed at universities or experimental institutions. After the retrocession, in 1954 the Shilin Horticultural Experiment Branch cultivated and flowered it, but because the tubers easily rot under high temperature and humidity in summer, it was considered to have no economic value. It was not until 1971 that commercial cultivation succeeded in Puli, and its potted flowers were sold throughout the province.
The habits of cyclamen are sensitive to light and temperature, so pay attention to these points:
1. Regarding watering, in principle your method is not wrong, but be careful not to wait until it is too dry before adding water. Water when it is about half dry, and it is enough to make the soil moist. Too much water will speed up its metabolism and cause the flowers to wither early;
2. It is better to place it outdoors for two days a week. Potted plants also need two days off each week, and do not place it in direct sunlight;
3. The leaves are the only energy source for cyclamen to sustain its flowers. Remove them only when they turn yellow and dry, and each leaf represents that a flower stalk will emerge. Actually, the larger the pot, the easier it is to care for, but it is also more expensive;
4. If you have the chance, go to the production areas and discuss with professional growers. Although I studied up to a doctoral program in horticulture, some specialized cultivation techniques are better compared against practical experience. Last year I went to a production area in Puli and spent an afternoon asking an old farmer about cyclamen. The answer above is a simplified version of the key points, and I hope it is useful.
