Cyclamen

The genus Cyclamen includes 15 species, some of which occur naturally in the mountainous regions of the Alps and Apennines under the cover of trees and shrubs. The most well - known greenhouse-grown species and most suitable for the most unexpected uses, including as a houseplant, is the Persian cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), which grows up to 20 cm in height, although when grown in the open ground, it is not higher than 10 cm. The rounded and highly decorative leaves have color transitions from brilliant green to silver and ochre. This cyclamen has characteristic large flowers with five white, pink, red, lilac, cream or purple perianth lobes.

The genus Cyclamen includes 15 species, some of which occur naturally in the mountainous regions of the Alps and Apennines under the cover of trees and shrubs. The most well - known greenhouse-grown species and most suitable for the most unexpected uses, including as a houseplant, is the Persian cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), which grows up to 20 cm in height, although when grown in the open ground, it is not higher than 10 cm. The rounded and highly decorative leaves have color transitions from brilliant green to silver and ochre. This cyclamen has characteristic large flowers with five white, pink, red, lilac, cream or purple perianth lobes.

Cultivation

Cyclamen prefer well-drained soils enriched with organic substances (for example, riding peat). Tubers are planted in the soil to a depth of 3-5 cm, and in a pot-without falling asleep completely. Most cyclamen can't survive indoors for long. A non-sunny balcony is recommended as an ideal place for them. Resistant species thrive in the shade of other plants. Semi-resistant ones can be grown outdoors, in cold climates they are brought into the house for the winter, thereby protecting them from frost. At the end of the flowering period, the plants are placed go to a cooler place.

Location

Cyclamen love shading, so they need to be kept in a well-ventilated place and away from direct sunlight.

Temperature

Ideal temperature: 10-18 °C during the day and 6-8 °C at night. At higher temperatures, plants wilt very quickly, even if watered more intensively. Therefore, you should try to keep the plants away from heat sources.

Watering

To avoid rotting of the tuber due to excessive watering, the soil is moistened as follows: immerse the pot 2-3 cm above the bottom in water for several hours. At the end of the flowering period, water less often, and when new leaves appear (the plant's growing season resumes), they start frequent watering, constantly providing a cool and ventilated environment. Cyclamens are recommended to be fed periodically - add fertilizer to the water for irrigation.

Transplant

In summer, during the dormant period, cyclamens are usually not transplanted, but the soil is renewed by adding fresh nutrients.

Care

Cyclamens do not require special care. It is only necessary to periodically remove withered or dry leaves, cutting off the petioles at the tuber level - in order to avoid rotting of the remaining parts.

Reproduction

Propagate by dividing the old tuber (each new part must have an eye) during the dormant period, when the leaves and flowers have withered, and by seeds, such as cyclamen Persians. The latter is more difficult and is reserved for professionals.

Diseases

When infected with mites, the leaves and flowers are deformed; aphids cause the flowers to wither. In these cases, the plants are treated, respectively, with acaricides or preparations against aphids; both of them can easily be found on the market. In addition, the plant may suffer from excessive top dressing, causing burns or blackening of the roots, and with a large moisture capacity of peat, tubers may rot. In the first case, refrain from further fertilizing, in the second-transplant into humus with a lower peat content. Avoid excessive watering; protect the plant from direct sunlight. avoid direct sunlight to avoid damaging the leaves.

Acquisition

The best time to buy cyclamen is from October to May. And, as it is recommended for many other flowering plants, it is better to choose specimens with strong stems and still unopened buds hiding under the leaves.

Miniature Cyclamen By crossing different species and constantly working on hybrids, breeders managed to create new varieties of cyclamen, the so-called miniature cyclamen. The main thing that distinguishes this group is that they have all the characteristics inherent in cyclamen, but at the same time the plant height is within 10-15 cm. At the same time, low-growing cicadas are used and grown in the same way as ordinary ones. They are bred at home, on terraces, flower beds, in rocky gardens-in a partially shaded place. For cultivation, use pots with a diameter of 6 to 15 cm. Medium Cyclamen Medium cyclamen are varieties that develop to intermediate sizes of ordinary and miniature cyclamen. They can grow to a height of 15-20 cm. For cultivation, use pots with a diameter of 12-14 cm. The tuber in pots is not buried, it should remain above the ground surface for 1/4. If most of the tuber is on the surface, then the shoots are formed with difficulty and not very strong. If the tuber is buried too deep, then this, although it facilitates the formation of shoots, leaves and flowers, but contributes to the rapid infection with fungal infections. Selection of miniature and medium cyclamen Nowadays, it is possible to purchase many different types of cyclamen with a wide range of colors that satisfy every taste and are suitable for any purpose. Of course, the main color of cyclamen is red and all its shades, but there are also very beautiful pastel colors of flowers. The difference between the series is mainly in the size of the flowers, the timing of the flowering period and the palette of available colors. One of the most beautiful series of miniature cyclamen is the Othello series, bred in Italy. It is widely known for the "fiery flashes" of color in the flowers of these plants. Nowadays, it is easy to buy specimens with flowers of three colors: pink, purple and purplish-purple. In Holland, all miniature hybrids of the M series were obtained: subsequently, Italian breeders carried out work on their acclimatization in the Mediterranean climate. Miniature cyclamen of other famous series-Miracle and Dresden - have 5 colors. Among the series of medium cyclamen, the most popular are Intermezzo (plants with flowers of new colors are bred), Laser - 7 colors and Latinia - 5 colors.

Miniature Cyclamen

By crossing different species and constantly working on hybrids, breeders managed to create new varieties of cyclamen, the so-called miniature cyclamen. The main thing that distinguishes this group is that they have all the characteristics inherent in cyclamen, but at the same time the plant height is within 10-15 cm. At the same time, low-growing cicadas are used and grown in the same way as ordinary ones. They are bred at home, on terraces, flower beds, in rocky gardens-in a partially shaded place. For cultivation, use pots with a diameter of 6 to 15 cm.

Medium Cyclamen

Medium cyclamen are varieties that develop to intermediate sizes of ordinary and miniature cyclamen. They can grow to a height of 15-20 cm. For cultivation, use pots with a diameter of 12-14 cm. The tuber in pots is not buried, it should remain above the ground surface for 1/4. If most of the tuber is on the surface, then the shoots are formed with difficulty and not very strong. If the tuber is buried too deep, then this, although it facilitates the formation of shoots, leaves and flowers, but contributes to the rapid infection with fungal infections.

Selection of miniature and medium cyclamen

Nowadays, it is possible to purchase many different types of cyclamen with a wide range of colors that satisfy every taste and are suitable for any purpose. Of course, the main color of cyclamen is red and all its shades, but there are also very beautiful pastel colors of flowers. The difference between the series is mainly in the size of the flowers, the timing of the flowering period and the palette of available colors. One of the most beautiful series of miniature cyclamen is the Othello series, bred in Italy. It is widely known for the "fiery flashes" of color in the flowers of these plants.

Nowadays, it is easy to buy specimens with flowers of three colors: pink, purple and purplish-purple. In Holland, all miniature hybrids of the M series were obtained: subsequently, Italian breeders carried out work on their acclimatization in the Mediterranean climate.

Miniature cyclamen of other famous series-Miracle and Dresden - have 5 colors. Among the series of medium cyclamen, the most popular are Intermezzo (plants with flowers of new colors are bred), Laser - 7 colors and Latinia - 5 colors.