How to plant cyclamen seeds
This article focuses on the topics related to the cultivation of cyclamen, including how to plant cyclamen seeds and the sowing methods of cyclamen seeds. Next, the editor will introduce these topics.
【Common Questions】When to plant cyclamen seeds? How to plant cyclamen seeds?
【Expert Answers】
Image: Cyclamen sowing
(1) Cyclamen sowing substrate
Choose a yellow peat soil with loose texture, good ventilation, low salt content, and slightly acidic pH (5.8-6.2) as the sowing substrate. Mix 15% vermiculite into the substrate. To prevent the occurrence of ground flies and root nematodes, 1.5 kg of insecticide (Miral or furan dan) can be added to each cubic meter of the substrate. Generally, the sowing substrate only needs to be moderately moist when filling the tray to make it compact.
Image: Cyclamen
(2) Cyclamen seed treatment
The seed coat of cyclamen is relatively thick and usually needs to be soaked in warm water at about 40°C for 24 hours before sowing, then soaked in an 800-fold liquid fungicide for 1 hour, and the water is drained before sowing.
Image: Cyclamen
(3) Cyclamen sowing time
The sowing time depends on the genetic characteristics of the seeds, the climatic conditions of the planting area, and the time of the finished product's market release. Large-flowered varieties are generally sown from December to January of the following year; medium-flowered varieties can be sown 15-30 days later; mini varieties should be sown between January and March.
Image: Cyclamen
(4) Cyclamen sowing
Pre-wet the trays filled with substrate in the greenhouse and use a pressure plate to make a small pit 0.5 cm deep in the center of the tray holes. Hand-sow the treated cyclamen seeds in the middle of the small pit, then cover them with vermiculite with a diameter of 1.5-2.5 mm and water thoroughly with a fine喷头. The suitable germination temperature for cyclamen is 18°C, humidity should be controlled at around 95%, and kept in complete darkness. Generally, a small number of cyclamen seeds will emerge from the soil surface after 4 weeks. When the seedling emergence rate is between 50% and 60%, and the length of the cotyledons is between 1 and 3 cm, the temperature should be controlled between 15-25°C. After 9-10 weeks of sowing, the trays often show seedling congestion, and then the seedlings can be transplanted. The substrate should be a mixture of peat soil and 30% perlite, with a tray size of 72# or 50#. When lifting the seedlings, care should be taken not to damage the roots, but the moss soil on the cyclamen corm should be removed. When planting, the corm should be slightly pressed and 1/3-1/2 should be exposed above the soil surface. To ensure good root development for transplanting, water-saving root promotion cultivation should be carried out 2 weeks in advance. After transplanting, water thoroughly, shade for 7-10 days, and stop fertilizing for 10 days.
How to plant cyclamen seeds
Image: Cyclamen
(5) Potting cyclamen
When the leaves of the plug seedlings touch each other (about 16 weeks), potting should be done, otherwise the petioles will elongate. The size of the pot is determined by the variety and potting time, either clay or plastic pots can be used, with good drainage and 5 holes or feet for support. Clay pots should be treated to prevent moss or green algae from growing on the surface, which is not only unsightly but also affects the pot's breathability. Generally, a standard round multi-hole plastic pot with a diameter of 15-16 cm is used in production, and a standard pot with a diameter of 10-12 cm is used for mini varieties.
The substrate used for potting can be chosen based on the climate of the planting area, the type of greenhouse, and the supporting equipment. First, the substrate must be new and have good drainage, be loose, which is beneficial for rooting and early growth, as well as subsequent development and flowering, and can also prevent diseases and pests. Secondly, the substrate should also have good water retention, not losing water too fast or retaining it for too long, which could harm the young seedlings, especially when the temperature fluctuates. Watering can be controlled to adjust the temperature. In production, the potting substrate can be a mixture of peat soil and perlite at a ratio of 4:1, with a pH of 5.6-5.8. Organic compound fertilizer can be used as the base fertilizer, but the amount of fertilizer should depend on the size of the plants and the substrate used.
When potting, the root ball should be slightly dry and easy to remove from the tray. First, dig a hole in the center of the pot filled with cultivation substrate, gently place the corm in the center of the pot, and try to minimize mechanical damage to the cyclamen roots and leaves during this process, as it is prone to bacterial diseases. When potting, the corm should be exposed 1/3-1/2 above the soil surface, otherwise it will affect its normal growth, with half exposed for mini varieties. After potting, place the plants densely, water thoroughly, shade for 10 days, and stop fertilizing for 1 week.
Image: Cyclamen
【Summary by Green Plant Enthusiast Network Editor】
Cyclamen, also known as radish begonia, rabbit ear flower, rabbit flower, first-class crown, etc., is a common greenhouse flower in winter and spring. The propagation methods of cyclamen include sowing and vegetative propagation, but mainly through sowing. The editor of the Green Plant Enthusiast Network has introduced how to plant cyclamen seeds in this article, hoping it will be helpful to you.
The experience and knowledge shared above about how to plant cyclamen seeds and the sowing methods of cyclamen seeds are hoped to bring you some help after reading this article!