Cyclamen (Cyclamen - from the Greek. Cyclos - circle) - perennial herbaceous houseplant of the family Primula (lat. Primulaceae). Cyclamen's homeland - Central Europe and Asia Minor. Recently, botanists have identified new plant species found on the shores of the Mediterranean, Caspian and Black Seas. Some species of cyclamen are listed in the Red Book, among them the cyclamen Colchis and Cyclamen Kuznetsov.
Did you know?Cyclamen has many names: "alpine violet", "dryakva" and others.
Cyclamen showed weak toxic properties: some animals lose coordination from contact with him. Cyclamen as a flower in pots is represented by the two most common species on our territory: Cyclamen Persian (Cyclamen persicum) and Cyclamen European (Cyclamen Europaeus). In order to understand how to care for cyclamen, you must first find the differences between its European and Persian representatives.
There are many sites where botanists from a professional point of view tell all about cyclamen. But in this article we will try to describe everything in a simple and accessible way.
A novice botanist, when distinguishing between two species, first of all will pay attention to the size of the leaves of a plant: in Persian cyclamen they are 2-4 cm larger, like flowers that have a pink color and a pleasant smell. Another distinctive feature is the color of the reverse side of the leaves: the Persian cyclamen leaves are green on the reverse side, whereas in Europe it is spotty-violet.
If you are more experienced, then pay attention to the tubers, which are 2-3 cm above the ground at the Persian cyclamen, and are completely submerged at the European one; In the Persian cyclamen they are single, and in the European - with "children".
And if, before going to the store, you also consult with reference books that describe how to properly care for and replace the cyclamen, then you will learn that another The difference between species is the period of purchase: in autumn and winter only Persian cyclamens can be purchased in stores, whereas in spring and summer European cyclamens are on the shelves.
Important! Often, to increase sales, stores use the information that European cyclamens are fragrant - this is not true!
Which cyclamen is easier to care for
The flower of Persian cyclamen requires careful maintenance and transplantation, since the rest period of this plant runs from March to September. This makes it difficult to breed, as during the rest period cyclamen (Persian) can fold leaves. Also, its care is complicated by the fact that it is recommended to replant it once a year, while European cyclamen can be replanted 3-4 times a year.
Features of cultivation of the Persian and European cyclamen
So you can admire your plant for a long time, you need to buy it healthy, then there will be no problems with the proper care of cyclamen.
Important! Shriveled, dirty and damaged tubers are a sure sign of plant disease.
Environment
Before moving the cyclamen flower to the window, it is necessary immediately after purchase to send it "to quarantine" for two weeks in an isolated place, and if there is no such possibility, then at least protect the plant from the rest. If in two weeks nothing happened to him (no spots appeared, no buds fell off), then you can safely move him to other plants. From your subsequent actions depends on how long the life of the flower will be.
Did you know? Cyclamen does not like big pots.
Cyclamen is very sensitive to light - it does not tolerate shade and direct sunlight as much. The light should be bright, but diffused, it is best to priten the plant. Do not forget that the optimum room temperature for a comfortable life of cyclamen is 17 ° C.
What should be the soil and when you need fertilizing
The soil for cyclamen needs a special one: the usual soil from the nearest bed will not work. It is better to buy land in special shops where cyclamens sell and know everything about the flower.Earth is better to choose loose, with a high content of organic elements.
Important! DFor cyclamen, the acidity level (Ph) should be in the range of 5.5-6.5.
The best option is leaf and sod land, humus, fine peat, sawdust and straw cutting. But the best, according to most, option - a mixture of peat and dry sand. If you first buy soil from an unknown manufacturer, then a good way to disinfect it is steaming in the oven with plenty of water (the water should evaporate). This will kill all harmful microorganisms in the soil. For better effect, you can use a solution of potassium permanganate instead of water.
Did you know? In summertime European cyclamen can be transplanted into open ground, but in a shaded place, and in winter it is necessary to cover it with moss and leaves.
Cyclamen feeding is best done every two weeks during the flowering period. Need to start a month after the acquisition of the flower. It is worth noting that cyclamen does not like excess nitrogen, so the dosage written on the package should be divided into two.
How to water cyclamens
Cyclamen should be watered regularly and abundantly. Cyclamen is a very fastidious plant and does not tolerate dryness, so watering should be especially careful during the summer period. It should be carried out throughout the year, regardless of flowering periods, only under such conditions, care for the cyclamen will be correct.
Cyclamen should be watered very carefully: water in any case should not fall on the tubers, as this can lead to root rot and death of the plant. It is best to carry out watering from a pallet or a special pot. To do this, in the pot where the plant lives, you need to make small holes (the size of a little finger) and place it in a tray (pot) with water.
For the prevention of diseases, you can add a little lime to the water, because cyclamen does not like too acidic medium. Do not water the cyclamen water from the tap. It is better to use well-drained or rain water for this. During the dormant period of cyclamen, watering should be minimal, and from the beginning of flowering, dosed as the plant grows.
Features care in a period of rest and flowering
Many inexperienced growers, planting cyclamen, are wondering whether it can be sprayed. Our answer is possible, but in some cases: if there is a lot of dust on the leaves (choose a spray gun with a good spray and spray the plant from a distance of 25-30 cm) or if there is a heater nearby, in this case it is better to spray water around the plant.
During the flowering period, the priority in caring for cyclamen is its proper watering and fertilizing (if necessary). Caring for a plant in a dormant period is much more difficult.
First: the dormant period is determined by the gradual withering of the leaves and the dropping off of the already faded flowers. Do not be afraid that only the flower bulb will remain in the pot. Many inexperienced growers panic when cyclamen has flowered, and do not know what to do. In fact, everything is simple. During this period, the pot with the bulb is better to remove in a dark cool place and leave it there for 3 months, on average. The bulb should be fed with a small amount of water (pouring not on the bulb, but around it) once every two weeks.
For three months, the cyclamen will break through "baby", then you will need to put it in a bright place and start watering as before. A week later, you need to make fertilizer for bulbous plants.
How to grow cyclamen
In order to grow cyclamen without problems, you just need to know how to care for cyclamen and the subtleties in its transplanting and sowing. If you want to grow a plant from seeds, then in addition to the grains themselves you will need: earth (you can take for violets), drainage and a pot. The pot is best to buy a square shape, but since there are very few of them on sale, you can take a regular one.
Important! The diameter of the bottom of the pot and the diameter of its upper part should be approximately equal.
At the bottom of the pot you need to fill the drainage, pour a little water (preferably with a spray bottle), then add earth. Put the seeds pre-soaked in water and drained with a napkin into it, slightly burying them. Cover the top of the pot with cling film and put it in a dark, cool place. Seeds germinate long enough (a month or two). During this time it is necessary to “air” the cyclamen, that is, to remove the film for a while, and to water it a little. For convenience, you can put toothpicks near the places where the seeds are planted, so that you can know about where to water. Cyclamens develop for a long time, but with the right care in the first flowering season, your plant will delight you with beautiful flowers.
Cyclamen transplant
For transplanting, you will need: a new pot (with a hole and no more than 15 cm in diameter), soil, sand with humus, vermion and vermiculite (to accelerate growth), expanded clay, planting shovel and hand-ripper, gloves, water. The bottom of the pot should be filled with expanded clay to drain and prevent rotting of the flower, then pour out the soil (3 parts) and sand with humus (1 part). Add vermion and vermiculite to accelerate the growth and development of the flower. Earth does not need to be tamped.
To remove cyclamen from an old pot, you need to mash the pot itself with your fingers in a circle (do not press hard), then take the cyclamen at an angle of 45 ° and examine its roots: are there any areas that have already begun to rot. If there is, cut them off, and sprinkle the cut areas with dry fertilizer. Then plant the cyclamen in a new ground (so that the tuber is half looking out above the ground), water it. Let the plant stand for 5 minutes and absorb moisture, and then fill up the soil and water again.
Put your plant in a place where it will not get direct sunlight, and enjoy the tenderness and originality of cyclamen, not forgetting about proper care for the flower.
