Cyclamen is a perennial plant from the Primulaceae family. It can be grown in the ground to enhance your garden, or in pots to brighten up your interiors, balconies, or terraces. There are several species of cyclamen, but the most common is cyclamen persicum, also known as florist’s cyclamen. To brighten your balcony with this plant’s beautiful flowers all year round, find out how to propagate it.
Cultivated since ancient times, cyclamen is a plant that symbolizes true love. Its white, pink, purple, or red flowers are ideal for decorating interiors, balconies, and flowerbeds.
cyclamen
How to propagate cyclamen?
You can propagate your plant by sowing seeds or by dividing the tuber
Read also: How to propagate orchids from flower stems?
Sowing cyclamen seeds
Ideally, harvest cyclamen seeds during July, as this is when they reach maturity. To encourage seed germination, dry them and soak them in water for 12 to 24 hours. This will allow the seeds to absorb moisture from the water and germinate easily. Then plant the seeds in pots. You can plant up to 20 seeds per pot. Choose well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. To add acidity to your soil, you can add sphagnum peat moss. You can also cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost or gravel.
Division of cyclamen tubers
Cyclamen is a tuberous plant, meaning it has a tuber. This part of the underground stem not only allows it to reproduce, but also stores reserves for periods when the plant is dormant and loses its leaves. In the fall, remove the tuberous root from the soil and divide the stump into several pieces, using a knife. Each piece should have a bud. Then, dig a two-inch deep hole in the soil and plant the tuber pieces inside. Cover them with soil and press them down lightly. You can add a layer of mulch on the surface to retain heat. Roots should hopefully form before the arrival of winter.
Young cyclamen shoots
How to care for cyclamens?
To care for your cyclamen, water it whenever the soil feels dry. Push your thumb into the soil to check its moisture. However, avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot . After each watering, make sure to remove any standing water from the saucer or planter. Also, avoid watering the foliage , as this can cause it to rot. Feed your plant with a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during its growing season, and stop all fertilizer applications during its dormant period. You should also reduce the frequency of watering during this time. Note that florist’s cyclamen goes dormant in the summer. During this time, keep your plant in a cool, dimly lit location. Your cyclamen will regrow quickly in the fall and bloom in the winter. However, for this to happen, it will need partial shade during its growing season. Remember to repot your plant every two years. To do this, choose a slightly larger pot and change the soil to give your plant a new supply of nutrients.
Read also: How to propagate an orchid from a leaf?
potted cyclamen
What pests can damage cyclamen?
Pests that cyclamens fear are spider mites and aphids. You may find these pests on the stem or foliage of your plant. Cyclamen can also be affected by a fungal disease caused by a fungus called botrytis. It develops when the soil is very wet. Gray mold can then cover the foliage, causing it to turn yellow. To save your plant, cut off the leaves affected by the fungus. This will allow the foliage to better oxygenate again.
Thanks to these two propagation methods, you can reproduce your cyclamen to brighten up your balcony with its beautiful, colorful flowers.
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