Cyclamen bloom in a variety of colors

The cyclamen is a cool temperature plant typically available from Christmas until Easter. Growing from a tuber, an abundance of colorful flowers are borne above the heart-shaped leaves on six to eight inch stems in a succession that lasts for several weeks. The most suitable for house display is Cyclamen persicum but other species are available. Red, white, pink, and lavender flowering cultivars are available.

The cyclamen will bloom until April if given good lighting, a cool temperature, and adequate water. Filtered sun is best. Temperatures should be maintained between 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit at night and no higher than 60 degrees Fahrenheit by day. If the temperature is too high, leaves yellow and flowers wither. East and north facing windows are often more ideal for this plant as they are the cooler windows. Placing the plant close to the window glass also helps lower the plant's temperature.

To avoid crown rot, do not allow water to splash on the tuber when watering. Watering from beneath and dispose of any water not taken up after 1/2 hour. Do not allow the soil to dry out during the flowering period. Keep moderately moist. Never wet the foliage.

Fertilize every three weeks with a solution of one teaspoon house plant fertilizer diluted in one gallon of water. This fertilizer application should be applied only when the plant is blooming.

The plant will gradually stop flowering and the foliage will yellow and die. Continue watering, but reduce the frequency to twice a month, until the leaves come loose from the tuber. Store the nearly dry pot on its side in a cool, shady place until August then remove all dead foliage and some of the old soil from around the root ball. Repot in fresh soil (of equal parts garden loam, peat moss, and sand) in a pot slightly larger than the root ball. Provide good drainage. Be careful to keep the top of the tuber at or above the surface of the soil; if it is set lower, water may collect and crown rot develop. Keep at a 50 degree Fahrenheit night temperature and 60 degree Fahrenheit day temperature. Remove all flower buds that appear before October to ensure a profusion of blooms later.

This plant is difficult to keep healthy until the next blooming cycle. Many gardeners prefer to purchase new plants each year.

Additional Internet links on the Cyclamen include:
The Hardy Cyclamen
The Cyclamen Mite - University of Kentucky

References used:

Ball, V. (ed). 1998. Ball RedBook, 16th edition. Ball Publishing. Batavia, IL.
McDonald, E. 1993. The New Houseplant: Bringing the Garden Indoors. Macmillan Publishing.
McMahon, R.W. 1992. An Introduction to Greenhouse Production. Ohio Agricultural Education Curriculum Materials Service.
Whitehead, S.B. 1972. The Observer's Book of House Plants. Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.

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