How to Sow Cyclamen Seeds
This article provides an introduction to how to sow cyclamen seeds and the planting methods and techniques for cyclamen seed cultivation. Here is the detailed content to follow.
Cyclamen is a perennial bulbous flower of the Primulaceae family, also known as the cyclamen genus. It is also called萝卜 crabapple (radish begonia), 兔耳花 (rabbit ear flower), 兔子花 (rabbit flower), 一品冠 (first-class crown), 篝火花 (lantern fire flower), 翻瓣莲 (turned petal lotus), among other names. Cyclamen is a commonly planted flower, suitable for potting indoors, and requires greenhouse planting in winter. Due to its unique plant shape, deep green leaves, and beautiful flowers, it is loved by many and is considered an elegant indoor potted flower for winter. How should cyclamen be cultivated and managed?
I. The ecological conditions required by cyclamen: Cyclamen prefers a climate with plenty of sunlight, warm winters, and cool and humid summers. Autumn, winter, and spring are the growing seasons for cyclamen. The optimal temperature for growth and development is between 18-20°C. The indoor temperature in winter must be kept above 10°C and should not fall below 5°C. Cyclamen does not tolerate high temperatures; it enters a dormant period when the temperature reaches 30°C, and the plant will rot and die if the temperature exceeds 35°C. It is afraid of drought and flooding, prefers fertile, loose, well-drained, and moist sandy loam soil with a pH value between 6-7.
II. Propagation methods of cyclamen: The main method of propagating cyclamen is by seed sowing, and division of corms can also be used for propagation.
Seed propagation: It is usually sown in September. If sown too early, the bulbs will be small and flowering will affect the quality of the flowers. If sown too late, the low temperature will affect the germination rate and result in uneven seedlings. Before sowing, the seeds are soaked in 30°C warm water for 12 hours and then wrapped in wet cloth to induce germination, maintaining a temperature of 25°C for about 2 days. As soon as the seeds slightly germinate, they can be sown. The seedbed soil is mixed with decomposed leaf soil, garden soil, and river sand in equal parts, and the seeds are sown in the seedbed or shallow flowerpots, shallow wooden boxes at a spacing of 1.5-2 centimeters, covered with 0.5 centimeters of soil. After sowing, the seedbed is covered with plastic film, and shallow flowerpots or shallow wooden boxes are covered with glass. The seedbed is watered from the bottom to keep it moist and placed in a well-ventilated, slightly shaded area. When the seedlings have grown the first true leaf, they are thinned for the first time with a spacing of 3 centimeters.
Corm division propagation: In August and September, when the old corms begin to germinate after the dormancy period, the larger old corms can be longitudinally cut into several pieces based on the condition of the buds at the top of the corm. Each small piece must have at least one healthy bud. The cut surface of the small pieces is treated with wood ash and slightly dried before being planted in separate flowerpots. Initially, care should be taken not to water too much to prevent rotting of the cut surface. When more than 10 leaves have grown, they are transplanted into pots.
III. Cultivation: Usually, when the cyclamen seedlings have grown 4-5 true leaves, they are potted in a 10 cm diameter pot. When larger, they are transferred to a pot with a diameter of 17-20 cm.碎瓦片 (broken tiles) are placed at the bottom of the pot, then the culture soil is added, and the cyclamen plant is placed in the center of the pot, ensuring the roots are spread out. When covering the soil, the top of the bulb must be left exposed. After planting, water thoroughly, then keep in a shaded environment for a week before moving to a sunny location.
IV. Fertilization and water management: After the seedlings are potted and have recovered for half a month, fertilize every week. When fertilizing, care should be taken not to let the fertilizer touch the leaves of cyclamen to avoid rot. During the growing period, apply decomposed cake fertilizer water every 10 days, and when the flower stems emerge, apply more bone meal or superphosphate. In the early stages after potting, water should be limited, and during the seedling stage, avoid excessive watering to prevent bulb rot. During flowering, control watering, especially on rainy or snowy days, and avoid watering the flower buds and young leaves to prevent rot. Stop watering after flowering.
V. Daily management: Avoid intense sunlight and high temperatures during the growing period, and the potting soil should not be too wet. After May, provide shading, ventilation, and cooling, keeping the temperature below 28°C. In autumn, still shade from the midday sun. Move indoors in late autumn, and if the midday temperature is high, pay attention to ventilation and cooling. The optimal indoor temperature in winter is between 10-18°C with plenty of sunlight. After flowering, the cyclamen plant enters a dormant period, and the corm can be removed and stored in sand or left in the original pot. By mid-to-late August, when the dormant period ends and new buds begin to germinate, the corms can be removed and planted in new culture soil.
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