Rules for growing and caring for cyclamen at home
The cyclamen is one of those varieties of flowers that are easy to care for at home. That is why many flower growers plant it on the windowsills of their apartments. Thanks to breeding work, many varieties of this plant have been bred to date. The most important requirement that cyclamen makes to the conditions of detention is a cool room. The rest of the culture is picky and quite profitable.
Description and particularities of the different varieties
It is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the primrose family. Most often, in natural conditions, it is found in Central Europe and Asia Minor. The root of the cyclamen is tuberous and very thick. At one time he throws high peduncles decorated with drooping flowers.There is a silver pattern on the plates of green leaves growing from the very root, but this feature is not inherent in all types of cyclamen.
Among the varieties of cyclamen there are those that most often become inhabitants of apartments and private houses. Each of them has its own characteristics and characteristics.
Persian
It comes from the Mediterranean region, also occurs naturally in North Africa. For this reason, the plant rests in summer, and in winter it is covered with amazing flowers, and this period can also fall in autumn. In summer, the plant loses all its leaves and gains strength for the next growing season. For this, it stores nutrients in the tuber. Persian cyclamen has many varieties and hybrids, so the grower will not have the problem of choosing a florist.
European
This variety is better known as the purple cyclamen. It is found almost throughout Europe, both in the wild and in gardens. However, in the harsh climate of our regions, it is possible to get a flowering plant only at home.
A distinctive feature of this variety is the absence of a pronounced dormant period, since the flower does not shed its leaves.
And its flowering goes from winter to summer. Another characteristic of the European species is the anthocyanin coloration of the underside of the leaf plate, while in the Persian cyclamen it is green. Many varieties of this strain exude a subtle aroma.
African
Judging by the name, it can be assumed that the natural habitat of this species is Africa. The characteristics of this cyclamen include flowers of lilac and pink hues, bright green, hard leaf patches and the period of flowering, which takes place in autumn.
Alpine
It is not a distinct flower species; cyclamen is sometimes simply called alpine violet.
Colchis
This variety is also called Pontic cyclamen. Due to the threat of extinction in the natural environment, the species is listed in the Red Book. Its distinctive feature is year-round seed ripening and slow growth. Flowers of pink color exude a strong pleasant aroma, and the flowering period itself falls on the middle of summer and lasts until September. Sometimes a silvery pattern appears on the surface of the leaf plates.
Greek
This perennial plant has heart-shaped leaves. Its flowers are pink.
Most often, this representative of the family is found in Greece and Turkey.
Kosky
In its natural habitat, it grows in southern Russia, Georgia, the Balkans and Azerbaijan. The color palette of this variety is very rich, there are both white and carmine-red specimens. The flowering period of the Kos cyclamen falls on February-March and lasts about a month. The leaf plates of the flower are green in color with barely noticeable silver patterns.
Cypriot
This plant is endemic to Cyprus. The height of this perennial is 7-15 cm. The flowers have a pleasant aroma of white or pale pink tones. The flowering period begins at the end of September and can last until March with proper care.
Ivy
The main decoration of this alpine violet is delicate flowers, which in shape resemble the silhouette of a sleeping swan. A characteristic feature of this variety is that the buds appear first, and only after them the leaves. The flowering period of cyclamen ivy falls on September and October. The petals of the flowers, up to 3 cm long, are pale pink or white.
Conditions of detention
The duration of the flowering period and the fact that the plant is not exposed to diseases and attacks of harmful insects depends on well-created conditions of detention.
Lighting
Light for growing alpine violets is bright but diffused. Direct rays of the scorching sun will lead to loss of decoration of the flower and burns to the leaf plates.
Temperature regime
Alpine violet does not like high temperature indicators. In summer, 20-24 degrees are enough for him, for winter these values are reduced to 10-14 degrees.
air humidity
One of the main parameters that should be paid attention to when growing cyclamen at home. The flower is very fond of high humidity, therefore, before the appearance of buds, it is regularly sprayed from a spray bottle, and during flowering, a container with a plant is placed in a tray where there are wet stones.
Priming
The soil mixture for a flower should consist of leafy earth (2 parts), sand, peat, humus (1 part each). Be sure to lay a drainage layer on the bottom to prevent root rot.
top dresser
Fertilization depends on the growing season of the cyclamen. During the flowering period, the alpine violet is fed once a month with compositions for flowering houseplants, before the formation of buds they are used to fertilize fertilizers for decorative deciduous plants. They are also brought in once a month.
Dormant period
As a rule, this period falls on the period from May to June, but the time may vary depending on the type of cyclamen.
Features of care during and after flowering
During the period of bud formation and active flowering, the plant receives maximum attention. Provide regular watering and spraying of the foliage, introduce nutritional complexes. As soon as the leaves of the cyclamen begin to turn yellow, this indicates that it has begun to prepare for the dormant period. The pot with the plant is transferred to a dark place, and watering is minimized.
How to grow from seed
If you want to have a beautiful, fragrant flower at home, it is grown from seed.
Selection or collection of planting material
There are two ways to get seeds to grow alpine violets on a windowsill:
- Purchase seeds from a florist. Such material from well-known manufacturers has an increased germination rate (about 80%).
- Self-collection from plants. To do this, artificial pollination is first carried out. Using a brush, gently move the pollen from one flower to another. To increase the likelihood of pollination, do this multiple times. The best time for the procedure is early in the morning. After the pods appear on the flower, they are picked without waiting for them to crack. They are wrapped in dry towels and wait for the boll to crack and the seed material to appear.
Recommendations for choosing the time of boarding
It is best to do this in early spring, when it is not hot.
The plant loves a cool microclimate, and in such conditions seed germination will occur much faster.
Tank and soil preparation
For sowing the material, a store-bought light substrate is preferable, it should consist of vermiculite, leafy earth and peat. If desired, it is prepared at home, in a ratio of 1: 1: 1.At the bottom of a small plastic container, a drainage layer of foam or expanded clay should be laid. Also, the jar should have holes for the outflow of excess liquid.
Landing scheme
Before planting seeds of alpine violet, they are soaked for three days in cold water, which is changed daily. The seed container is kept in a cool place. Next, the seeds of cyclamen are laid out on the surface of the prepared substrate and sprinkled with a layer of soil no higher than 2 cm. A distance of 2-3 cm is maintained between the seeds themselves. After that, the container is covered with plastic wrap and taken out to a room where the temperature does not exceed 20 degrees.
How to transplant after purchase
As a rule, alpine violets are purchased during the flowering period, and not dormant, when there is only one bulb in the ground. Currently, it is impossible to transplant cyclamen. They are waiting for the end of the flowering period, and only after that they begin the procedure. This is only recommended when the plant is cramped in the old pot. The transplant is not performed without special necessity.
Possible problems
When growing alpine violets in a house, growers sometimes face problems, these are diseases and pests that affect cyclamen.
yellowing of leaves
It is a natural process. The leaves turn yellow and wilt as the alpine violet prepares for its dormant period. However, it sometimes indicates that the plant is too hydrated when its roots begin to rot.
Wet rot
The nature of this disease is bacterial. Signs of damage include a sudden wilting of foliage and a rotting odor. Unfortunately, in this case it will not be possible to save the alpine violet. The flower is destroyed immediately so that it does not infect other plants.
Fly above the foliage
Cyclamen leaf plates fall off when there is insufficient air humidity and high temperature indicators. It is necessary to adjust these parameters to those required.
gray rot
If a silvery coating appears on the leaf plates, this is a sign that the cyclamen has been affected by gray rot. The cause of this pathology is a fungus, which develops rapidly when the soil is over-moistened and the room containing the plant is too cold. The affected parts of the flower are carefully removed with a sharp disinfected knife, and all sections are treated with a fungicide preparation.
cyclamen mite
The main problem is that the pest is not easy to detect in the early stages of infection due to its translucent appearance. It attacks cyclamen by sucking the cell sap. The cause of the appearance of the pest is increased air humidity and high temperatures. In the first stages, they get rid of it by treating the plants with hot water. If there are a lot of pests, acaricidal preparations are used - "Sunmayt", "Omayta", "Neoron". Cyclamen processing is carried out three times. It is advisable to use a different remedy each time.
vine weevil
These parasites are omnivorous, they feed on seeds, roots and plant buds. To combat them, any systemic insecticide is used.
Shield
One of the most dangerous pests of alpine violets, because it absolutely does not lend itself to the effects of chemicals. It is possible to get rid of the scabbard only mechanically.Wipe the affected areas with a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution, then manually tear the insect off the cyclamen leaves.
Fusarium
It is fungal in nature. The leaves of the alpine violet first turn yellow on one side, then the Fusarium wilt spreads to the entire leaf plate and dies. The affected parts of the cyclamen are removed, and the sections are treated with any fungicidal preparation, for example, "Fundazol".
Aphid
Deformed and twisted leaves are the result of the influence of colonies of aphids, which drink all the juices of the plant. To destroy the pest, a solution of household or green soap is used, as well as the chemical "Fitoverm".
Thrips
The appearance of white dots on the foliage, gradually merging into silver spots, indicates the presence of thrips on the plant. It is possible to destroy the pest only at an early stage of infection. To do this, use chemicals - "Aktara" or "Fitoverm".
Additional tips and tricks
To get a flowering plant, you need to properly care for it. The main recommendations of experienced florists are:
- Do not flood the flower and be sure to create a drainage system.
- Do not expose the alpine violet to the hot sun.
- Fertilize regularly depending on the stage of the growing season.
- Carry out preventive treatments against diseases and pests.