Cyclamen, cyclamen – care instructions

Cyclamen are bulbous perennials that belong to the primrose family, of which there are around 22 species, most of which are native to the Mediterranean region, but also to the Near East and southern and central Europe. Because only the Cyclamen purpurascens (European cyclamen), after which the German genus is named, are found growing wild in many places in the Alps. In contrast, all other perennials are mainly found in mountain forests and in the mountains. The houseplant known to us, Cyclamen persicum, comes from Asia Minor and probably reached Europe in the 17th century. Indeed, cyclamen has been cultivated in France since 1731, with the beginning of cultivar breeding dating back to 1860,

Room cyclamen

Indoor cyclamen are demanding and only reveal their full beauty if a few essential aspects are taken into account. They do not like a location that is too dark, an overheated room or even large temperature fluctuations.

• sunny, bright but rather cool location
• in the conservatory or on the windowsill
• no direct sunlight therefore ideal on the east window
• with winter temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees

Even with cyclamen in the garden, care must be taken to ensure that the plants are not exposed to too much sun and are not standing in water to prevent rot. The ideal location varies for these specimens and depends on the particular variety.

The care

Cyclamen need sufficient water during the flowering period, but the tuber, which protrudes a bit above the ground, must not be watered (rot). It is therefore advisable to always water cyclamen from below and after about 30 minutes to empty the bottom of the draining water.

• requires high humidity
• flowering plants must not be sprayed, otherwise spots will form on the flowers
• it is therefore better to put the cyclamen in a larger planter and fill the space in between with Seramis or moist expanded clay
• Do not cut off wilted stems, pull them out with a jerk

This is how the cyclamen gets through the summer:

• water only a little after flowering so that the leaves dry up slowly
• from May place the pot outdoors for one to two months in a partially shaded place
• so that the tuber does not shrink, water only a little
• After the rest period, the tuber is removed from the pot and repotted
• the plant was watered and fertilized more again
• Cyclamen is brought indoors at the end of September before the frost
• where it gets a cool location with high humidity

plant substrate

Lauberde is ideal as a substrate for cyclamen, which is mixed with compost, peat or a little clay or sand. But loose, humus soil from the garden can also be used, but it then has a pH value of 6.0 especially for cultivation.

The propagation

Cyclamen can ideally be propagated by sowing all year round from September to October or in a small greenhouse. To do this, the seed is simply covered with 5 mm of soil and the seed container is placed under a black plastic film at a temperature of 18 degrees for 28 days. The foil is then removed and the now young plant is carefully accustomed to the light at 20 degrees. After about two weeks, a temperature of 18 degrees is sufficient. Four weeks later, the little plant is pricked out and placed in individual pots. During the winter, a temperature of 15 degrees is sufficient for propagation. Finally, the young plant is cultivated until it begins to flower.

In older plants, propagation takes place by tuber division during the dormant phase.

• this is done by allowing the soil to dry out after flowering
• and keeps the plant almost dry until new shoots appear
• then repot in new soil, but the tuber may only be put halfway into the soil

fertilizing and watering

The cyclamen needs a lot of water during the flowering period from August to March, but should be watered less afterwards. Regular fertilizing is also part of flower care for cyclamen.

• keep their leaves with a weekly fertilization during the summer months
• treat every 2 to 4 weeks with a flowering plant fertilizer
• From April after flowering, fertilization is stopped
• Avoid waterlogging when watering
• Use saucers and water moderately but never let the plant dry out

Overwintering outdoor cyclamen

If a few points are observed, cyclamen for outdoor use can survive the winter at temperatures down to -5 degrees. A place near a wall or under trees in partial shade would be ideal. Outdoor cyclamens such as Cyclamen persicum Patino or Cyclamen hederifolium (ivy-leaved cyclamen) have a much better resistance to cold than just -5 degrees and are therefore particularly suitable for cultivation.

But the following is also important for the winter:

• a calcareous soil that has been treated with lime powder from the garden trade, because the alkaline environment strengthens the plant in winter
• If spruce branches are laid loosely over the plant, a protective layer is created that allows wintering down to -20 degrees
• Outdoor cyclamen are only watered on sunny and frost-free days so that the root ball or tuber does not dry out

pests and diseases

Cyclamen are usually not directly affected by diseases, even if the choice of location and incorrect care of the plant can be very damaging. If the cyclamen gets too warm a location in winter, the flowers and buds will begin to dry up and the leaves will turn yellow. If the plant is cool but too damp, the tuber can rot or gray mold can form. The first signs of this are damp, yellowing leaf edges, on which a lawn of mold forms over time.

Malformed leaves and flowers show up in cyclamen mites, which can hardly be controlled. They also induce misshapen buds and twisted stems. Another pest of cyclamen is the aphid and the vine weevil, which eats holes in the leaves. Its larvae sit in the ground and eat tubers and roots, so that affected plants eventually die. To combat this pest, it is recommended to remove the soil from the roots, thereby eliminating the eggs and larvae as well. In addition, the tuber should be rinsed off and only then used in new soil. However, the pot is discarded with the old soil in the trash.

The species

The breeding of cyclamen in Germany thus began in 1870, and this has been intensified to such an extent today that new varieties are constantly being created, the properties of which have almost completely displaced the most original species, Cylamen persicum. Because today two-tone, fringed and large-flowered cyclamen are available, as well as the still relatively unknown cyclamen (Wellensiek type), but also hardy beauties for the garden.

• Cyclamen persicum
  • attractive houseplant with kidney, entire, oval or toothed leaves
  • with fringed or smooth flowers
  • blooms from fall to winter blooms
• Cyclamen coum
  • Frost hardy, early flowering garden variety from December to March, depending on the weather
  • with round, bright green leaves that appear before flowering in autumn
  • bright purple flowers
  • Growth height approx. 15 cm
  • preferred location under trees
• Cyclamen coum ,Album‘
  • Early spring cyclamen with snow-white flowers and petals and a black-red petal center
  • exude a delicate scent of marzipan
  • Flowering time from February to March
  • loves places in the garden between deciduous trees and shrubs
  • Height from 5 to 10 cm
• Cyclamen sackcloth
  • suitable for rock gardens
  • also likes to grow under trees
  • with soft pink flowers and a red dot at the mouth of the flower
  • appear from the beginning of September and were allowed to honey
  • Height from 10 – 15 cm
• Cyclamen hederifolium
  • robust, ivy-leaved cyclamen that reaches 20 cm in height
  • with beautiful different silver colored and green leaves
• Cyclamen hederifolium album
  • Mediterranean, ivy-leaved plant with pointed triangular leaves
  • only appear after flowering
  • Flowering period from August to October
  • Growth height 10 – 15 cm
  • self-sowing creates large stocks
  • initially round small nodules, over the years imposing flat cakes with a diameter of up to 20 cm
• Cyclamen hederifolium Patio
  • new variety of garden cyclamen
  • flowers from around September and is larger than the normal Cyclamen hederifolium
  • Tuber when planting should protrude 1 cm above the ground
• Cyclamen intaminatum
  • is the smallest and most attractive species
  • only about 10 cm high
  • ideal for the rock garden
  • small slender flowers without auricles but with a light fragrance
  • flowers from September and likes well-drained and stony soil
• Cyclamen purpurascens
  • beautiful native, perennial and evergreen cyclamen
  • with intense fragrance and great magenta flowers
  • Growth height 5 to 15 cm
  • prefers a shady spot and evenly moist conditions
  • however, grows relatively slowly

possible uses

Cyclamen are not only popular as a houseplant by the window or as a garden flower, they are also used as cut flowers, whereby the flowers are then carefully plucked from the tuber. If you want the cyclamen to express their full splendor in the vase, you have to make sure that you don’t squeeze or stretch the stems, because otherwise the flower won’t be able to absorb any water and will immediately go limp. The two-tone and fringed varieties are particularly preferred as cut flowers. They last up to 4 weeks in the vase if the end of the stem is cut lengthways.

Toxins in Cyclamen

Even if the plant is extremely attractive, the tuber contains toxins that are extremely dangerous for humans and animals. When consumed, circulatory disorders, diarrhea, vomiting and cramps occur not only in humans, but also in dogs, cats, rabbits, rabbits, birds and rodents such as hamsters and guinea pigs. While the stalk and leaves are harmless, it is important to avoid contact with the tuber’s juice as it is a skin irritant.

Conclusion
The cyclamen is an attractive plant that shows its unique color splendor with the right care. It is offered as a room and outdoor plant and enriches not only the living area, but also every garden and balcony with its many different varieties, the different leaves and flower shapes.