Cyclamen Care Basics
An in-depth explanation of cyclamen care and green plant flower introduction for netizens to understand the cultivation methods of cyclamen flowers, followed by a comprehensive introduction.
Cyclamen, also known as yipinjuan, rabbit ear flower, firewood flower, radish begonia, and primrose, is a perennial herbaceous cormous flower belonging to the cyclamen genus of the primrose family. Cyclamen has a sturdy plant shape, moderate height, abundant flowers and leaves, bright colors, long blooming period, unique flower shape, and some even have a sweet fragrance.
In recent years, it has emerged in the field of horticultural flower cultivation, becoming an excellent choice for decorating bedrooms, living rooms, and beautifying indoor spaces in early spring. The following is a detailed introduction on how to care for cyclamen:
1. Soil selection for cyclamen cultivation
The growing medium can be prepared with 3 parts humus, 2 parts forest leaf mold, 2 parts炉灰碴, 2 parts river sand (sandy garden soil), and 1 part decomposed manure, and appropriately supplemented with chemical fertilizers such as superphosphate. This type of soil is loose and fertile, suitable for cyclamen growth. When cultivating, the growing medium must be treated with fumigation and strictly disinfected at high temperatures. The size of the containers should be gradually increased according to the size of the corm, and large pots should not be used to cultivate small seedlings.
Cyclamen cultivation methods
2. Fertilization method for cyclamen cultivation
Cyclamen enjoys fertilizer but not excessive concentration. Besides applying some base fertilizer during potting, it is generally sufficient to fertilize once every ten to fifteen days, focusing on thin and frequent applications. After planting, during the long period of vegetative growth, organic liquid fertilizers with concentrations of 1:6, 1:8, or 1:10 can be applied, practicing the method of watering flowers with turbid water. After the summer solstice, if the temperature cannot be controlled, fertilization should be stopped.
Cyclamen care basics
3. Watering method for cyclamen cultivation
Cyclamen can tolerate drought. However, the soil should remain moist during the growing season, and water should not accumulate in the pot. Cyclamen does not like overly damp soil, so watering should be frequent but minimal. If it does not enter dormancy in the summer, normal watering can be maintained to keep the potting mix dry and moist. After the beginning of autumn, cyclamen enters the reproductive growth stage, at which time phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied. If plant lodging is observed, switch to applying superphosphate or wood ash extracts to control vegetative growth and promote bud differentiation and flowering.
4. Temperature requirements for cyclamen cultivation
The suitable growing temperature for cyclamen in winter is between 10-22°C, with a temperature difference of 8-10°C between day and night. If the night temperature is controlled at 7-8°C, it can still bloom, but the flowering period will be slightly delayed. However, if it drops below 6°C, normal flowering cannot occur.
5. Light requirements for cyclamen cultivation
Temperature and light both have an impact on the growth and development of cyclamen. Throughout the growing process, temperature control is mainly considered to extend the blooming period. By the end of April, when the number of flowers decreases, the potted plants should be moved from the greenhouse to a well-ventilated and cool place with scattered light for cultivation. Climate changes, suitable temperature, and light can cause cyclamen to produce more flower spikes and continue blooming. In the Yangtze River Valley and its southern regions, leaves begin to turn yellow in May, which is a reflection of the temperature rise. At this time, watering should be controlled. In the summer, cooling equipment should be used to lower the ambient temperature if conditions allow.
Cyclamen cultivation methods and precautions
Generally, during the day, the potted plants should be placed in a cool and well-ventilated indoor area and at night on the balcony for ventilation. If the temperature does not exceed 20°C, fertilizer and water management can continue, and cyclamen will grow slowly. During the hottest period in July when all leaves wither, the pots should be placed in a low-temperature and well-ventilated environment, and the soil should not be too dry, allowing it to enter a dormant state for a month. After August, cyclamen should be placed back in a suitable temperature and light environment, watered slightly to promote the复苏 of the corms, and cyclamen can germinate ahead of time. At the end of August, repotting and soil replacement should be carried out, removing the withered roots to allow the plant to grow vigorously in good ecological conditions.
6. Disease and pest control methods for cyclamen cultivation
Cyclamen is prone to damage from aphids, red spiders, and leaf-rolling insects during the growing season and should be prevented and treated accordingly. Additionally, the roots of cyclamen are susceptible to nematode diseases. For treatment, furadan and other pesticides can be used to disinfect the potting soil, with a dosage of 2-3 grams per pot (0.1% of the soil weight), mixed into the soil. Cyclamen is also susceptible to soft rot, leaf spot, fungal wilt, and anthracnose. When these diseases occur, effective treatment can be applied with a 0.01% concentration of toprazine solution or a 0.15-0.2% concentration of tinacin and bactroban solution.
7. Precautions for cyclamen cultivation
When the temperature exceeds 28°C in the summer, the cyclamen corms begin to enter dormancy, and poor management during this period can easily lead to the drying or rotting of the corms. Knowing how to safely survive the summer is a challenge in cyclamen cultivation.
The best method is to have strong seedlings survive the summer. One-year-old seedlings that have been sown grow vigorously and have a weak tendency to enter dormancy in the summer. Before the summer, it is essential to strengthen fertilization and watering to develop strong seedlings with thick, numerous, and lustrous leaves. Such seedlings have strong heat resistance, and measures should be taken to reduce temperature and humidity, such as using shade nets, increasing ventilation, applying thin and frequent fertilizers, and spraying water around the plants to cool down. After the end of August, when the summer is over, cyclamen enters the growing period, and fertilization and watering should be strengthened.
How to care for cyclamen
For older corms over two years old, they should also be moved to a shaded and rainy place in the summer, with water sprayed around them to cool down. Watering should be strictly controlled, keeping the potting mix on the drier side. Generally, every ten days or so, water 2-3 parts of the completely dry pot, and avoid excessive watering or getting caught in the rain, as the corms may rot. By early September, watering can be gradually resumed, and after two to three weeks, it can be moved to a sunny location and fertilized normally, allowing for flowering during the Spring Festival. After the leaves have completely fallen after the summer solstice, the corms can be dug up, the soil and dead leaves removed, and placed in a cool and well-ventilated room for storage. After the autumn, they can be repotted with appropriate fertilization and watering to restore vitality. Cyclamen can be artificially induced to break dormancy by creating a cool environment, such as placing it in an air-conditioned room. Maintain a temperature of 20-30°C, water normally, and cyclamen will continue to grow, produce new leaves, and bloom new flowers. Then, return to the original environment in the autumn.
The above sharing of cyclamen care basics and related explanations of cyclamen flower cultivation methods aim to bring a little help to your life!