Cyclamen (aka "Dryakva")
Content:
Cyclamen - in other words, this plant is also called the alpine violet, the dryad is a perennial herb that today is very popular among gardeners and florists. The bush that has been cultivated has a very decorative and attractive shape, for which it is highly valued. The leaves have a deep green tint, and a slight grayish pattern can be seen on them. Many gardeners are wondering how and when a houseplant blooms. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the flowers look like butterflies, are located on rather long shoots, have a multi-colored color (everything here depends on the variety). Again, the cultivar influences exactly when flowering begins. For example, usually flowering begins either from mid-autumn, or already in winter, and can continue right up to the onset of spring. There are also varieties and species that bloom only in springtime, again they have their own characteristics and features, which should also be paid very close attention to, so as not to make any mistakes and not to confuse species and plant varieties with each other.
Description of cyclamen
It is difficult to say exactly which country is the homeland cyclamen, but some of the countries, including Iran and Central Europe, Greece and the countries of Asia Minor, believe that it was in their territories that this flower was first discovered. But now it is already very difficult to know for sure that he was the first to enjoy and cultivate this plant, so we will not delve into this issue too much.
Cyclamens can be just a wonderful gift, especially if the gardener does not know at all what to give a person. Houseplants are generally considered an excellent solution, because they always look very elegant, they can bloom even when all other crops are dormant. In addition, there are types that are completely undemanding and unpretentious in terms of caring procedures, so this is really very important. In addition, this is not just a very ornamental plant - cyclamens are also distinguished by their ability to exude an attractive and unobtrusive aroma that will definitely not leave anyone indifferent. True, when a gardener acquires planting materials - bulbs, he should pay attention to several rather significant aspects:
- the bulb must be visible from the soil, because this way it will be possible to evaluate its appearance and how fresh and viable it is
- healthy cyclamens are endowed with shoots that are located close enough to each other, so the bushes of cyclamens are always quite dense and interesting, saturated
- an indicator that the plant is healthy and viable are bright and elastic leaves, so we also pay a lot of attention to them when choosing a flower. In addition, you can buy already planted plants, and a lot will be clear by their external characteristics.
If suddenly in a store or nursery a person is offered a withered bush or flower, whose leaves are characterized by drooping and lethargy in general, then it is worth abandoning such a specimen. It is also worth paying attention to the general appearance of the plant - it should not have mold or plaque, mucous secretions, because this is a sign that the plant is sick with something, which means there is a great risk that very soon it will die altogether.It should also be remembered that if an infected shrub suddenly appeared from the house, then very soon the bacteria from it can move to other indoor crops, which will also be infected. So vigilance can not only save you from negative experience in breeding cyclamens, but also protect you from losing your own indoor plantings.
Varieties of cyclamen
Today, there are about fifteen popular varieties of cyclamen. Among them, some very popular cyclamens are especially distinguished by their external and other characteristics. Of course, now we will briefly talk about each of them, because this information is very interesting, it will help a person to better understand these cultures.
Let's start with Persian cyclamen - this variety appeared on the territory of the Eastern Mediterranean, but gradually spread to other regions and countries, becoming incredibly popular and in demand. The leaves of this cyclamen are shaped like a heart, they are painted in a very rich emerald hue, which can also be diluted with a slightly marbled, pleasant pattern, which adds zest and decorativeness to the cyclamen. The shoots of the plant are quite long, they have flowers that most of all resemble butterflies. There are flowers painted in pure white, but you can find varieties where the inflorescences will be decorated with red shades, which also looks quite attractive and remarkable. Flowering can be enjoyed for a fairly long time, from October to early March, the cyclamen will release about a hundred flowers, which will delight not only with their external characteristics, but also with a rather attractive aroma. From about May to June, it is best not to disturb the bush, as it will be dormant, and this time it needs to recover for the new season.
European cyclamen - otherwise it is called alpine violet in horticulture. Under natural conditions, this cyclamen is most often found in Europe, especially in South and Central. If you compare this cyclamen with Persian, you will notice that its leaves are much smaller in size. Depending on the shade in which the flowers of the cyclamen are painted, the aroma exuded will also be determined. There is one more difference between the European cyclamen and all the others, it lies in the fact that during hibernation the flower does not shed its deciduous part, remains as attractive and very decorative. Of course, this only goes to him as an advantage over other species and varieties.
Kosky cyclamen - this variety was first discovered on the island of Kos, and in honor of him the plant itself got its name. It differs from other varieties and species in that it has petals that taper significantly towards the base. Also, on the petals, you can notice characteristic spots that look quite decorative and attractive. The next variety that we will take a quick look at is the plushy Neapolitan cyclamen. The leaves have notched, slightly jagged edges, and the variety is very similar to ivy, which is why it got its name. Flowering begins around September, sometimes it can be transferred to the first days of November. Flowers form very quickly, and much faster than the deciduous part of this variety, which can in some way affect its decorative characteristics. But still, the variety has a lot of advantages, so let's not write it off so soon.
Caucasian variety of cyclamen - can grow both indoors and outdoors. The leaves are usually formed in the fall, and the bush in its original form can spend the whole winter right under the snow, which, by the way, does not affect it in any negative way.Leaves can be rounded, heart-shaped leaves are found, and sometimes they can be narrow and elongated. The color of the leaves can change - at first it is a rich emerald color, and then the shade changes to brown. The flowers are miniature, their circumference is usually no more than two centimeters. The color is pink; dark brown spots can be seen at the base. The tuber of this cyclamen is also colored dark brown, the root system is formed directly from the bottom, there can be a lot of roots, they should be handled extremely carefully, especially when transplanting a plant.
If we are talking about indoor breeding of cyclamens, then the Persian species is ideal for this, which includes a huge number of varieties and varieties. Each variety and variety has its own unique features and characteristics, the gardener will be able to choose exactly the one that suits his taste the most. There are standard varieties of cyclamens, whose height is from twenty to thirty centimeters, if they are medium-sized or undersized, almost dwarf varieties - the choice is very large. The most popular varieties are Charlie and Laura, Scarlet Moth, Vanessa, Delight (double, pink, lilac), Spring Moth, Aneli and many others. Any of these varieties can be found in ordinary apartments or in office premises, on window sills, balconies or loggias. Cyclamens have also come to be presented as gifts, and sometimes they are a really win-win option.
Cyclamen care
In general, cyclamen does not require any special attention or care. But nevertheless, if a florist dreams that the plant will delight him for a long time with its bright and rich, gorgeous inflorescences, and also if he wants the flower to be healthy, then it is best to follow a few very simple rules in order to achieve success. Among the rules, we will highlight the following:
- for a flower it is worth finding the most suitable place where it will feel as comfortable as possible. This place should be well ventilated, but should not be in a draft; the plant should not be exposed to annoying direct sunlight. Also, do not forget that the plant must necessarily be protected from drafts and sharp gusts of wind - this fact should not be neglected at all
- it is extremely important to observe the temperature regime. The plant takes root well and grows in rooms where there is no stuffiness and too much heat. The temperature comfortable for cyclamen is from 14 to 16 degrees, no more
- if on hot and dry days the grower does not have the opportunity to maintain a comfortable temperature for cyclamen, then the bush can be transferred to the basement, cellar or to any other room where the temperature is suitable. Do not forget about such a moment as lighting, because in the dark or in a lingering shade, the plant will not grow, and even more so it will be possible to forget about its flowering. Of course, you can leave the plant in a room where the temperature exceeds 25 degrees, but at the same time the growth of the plant will stop, and it will then take a sufficient amount of time to finally recover again.
- when the cold comes, it will be better to remove the pot away from the batteries or any appliances that will serve as heaters. Do not forget that the bush needs watering, and you should also pay attention to the level of humidity in the room where the plant is located - it must also be in the appropriate norm so that the flower does not dry out and even less die
- if the alpine violet is kept in a too cold room, and also if you suddenly give it too much moisture, then it will gradually start to rot, and soon the plant will die altogether, and it will be impossible to return it.So temperature and minor aspects are something to look out for when caring for cyclamen.
More experienced gardeners recommend necessarily replanting cyclamen if it initially grows in a peat bog. A home transplant requires that the grower has some skills and abilities, or at least has minimal experience, since this event is still very responsible and significant in the life of a plant. Before the tuber is placed in the new soil mixture, it must be thoroughly but very carefully rinsed in warm water. Peat that sticks to the bulbs must also be washed. When the plant is completely clean, then it is processed using the root for these purposes. Next, the flower is placed in a new pot, on the days of which a drainage layer is pre-laid, and then soil is poured, which is specially intended for cyclamens. Next time, the cyclamen is transplanted only if there is a really very serious need for it. As a rule, the reason here is that the root system has grown too much, and in the old container it has simply become very cramped. Also, sometimes the cyclamen needs to change the soil mixture, since the previous one has become very depleted. There are also only a few transplant rules, among which special attention should be paid to the following:
- it is worth waiting for the onset of the summer period, since it is at this time that the plant will be in a calm state, which means that the transplant will be less noticeable for it
- if suddenly very small leaves appear on the tubers, then this is also a real indicator that the cyclamen needs to be transplanted very urgently
- if the plant blooms, then during this period, transplanting it to another place or container is strictly prohibited!
- the pot or container must be correctly selected, since there must be a considerable distance from the bulb to the sides of the pot - at least three centimeters
- the root system is placed in a container, while it is not necessary to remove a clod of earth from it, since this can provoke growth even before transplantation, and this will not in the best way affect the general condition of the plant.
Before transplanting a cyclamen, it is worth keeping in mind all the features of its variety, since each species has its own specific features and needs within the framework of this procedure. For example, in the Persian type of cyclamen, the root system develops at the very bottom of the bulb, so the tuber should be planted in such a way that the entire upper part is located directly above the soil. If the root system entangles the entire diameter of the tuber, then it should be deepened into the ground as much as possible. In order for the plant to be safely transplanted to a new place or to a new container, it should be placed in a very cool room with diffused light, in the first days after transplanting, moderately water the flower, and then watering can be increased, but then again it all depends on how times on the characteristics of the variety and type of cyclamen.
Watering, features
Since initially the alpine violet is a plant that is excellent for moisture, do not forget to provide abundant and timely watering to the cyclamen in room conditions. Regardless of what time of the year watering is carried out, water should be poured not into the pot itself, but into its pan. In very extreme cases, you can move the leaves apart and pour water along the very edge of the pot. If suddenly water gets on the deciduous part or on the peduncles, and in general on the shrub itself, then this will certainly provoke the processes of decay. In general, the plant itself can give a signal that watering is not being carried out correctly. You can understand this by the following signs:
- the appearance of putrid, brown formations on the plant
- wilting of the shrub, which will ultimately lead to its death.
For irrigation, be sure to use only settled water at room temperature, or water that has been filtered. If suddenly the gardener did not have time to prepare the water, then he can use boiled water, but having previously cooled it down to a temperature comfortable for cyclamen. It is impossible for the water to stagnate in the sump, and if suddenly after watering a lot of water remains in the sump, then it must be poured out so that it does not provoke decay processes and does not provoke the development of various diseases and viral infections.
In order for the plant to feel normal, and the buds to develop in accordance with the norms, the cyclamen must be fed. As soon as the leaves begin to form on the plant, and until the peduncles appear, about once every 14 days, the plant must be fed with mineral supplements. Organic fertilizers can also be very beneficial for cyclamens. But you should still be very careful, especially with nitrogen-containing preparations and mixtures, since if the plant experiences an excess of nitrogen, the root system will begin to rot very actively and the plant will be impossible to save. If the leaves began to deform, turn yellow, then it is worth using iron-containing substances. The plant itself can be sprayed using an iron chelate. When it begins to bloom, then the same feed can be applied directly to the root part. Again, all this should be done in accordance with the schedule, and all solutions and fertilizing should be carried out in accordance with the instructions for use, because this way the plant will be protected and saved in case of negative influences.
Reproduction of cyclamen
At home, it is not at all easy to propagate cyclamens. But still there are several ways - dividing the bush or growing cyclamen by seed. Let's start with a description of seed reproduction, and immediately say that it is very difficult to do this at home. When a gardener purchases seed materials, he should be very careful, check the expiration dates, since only those seeds that have been stored before for no more than two years can sprout. If the grower already has his own flower, and he wants to get seeds from it, then he will have to carry out pollination with his own hands. To do this, you can use either a brush or a cotton swab to transfer pollen from one plant to another. To make sure that the plant has been pollinated, it is worth doing this procedure not once, but several times, and usually it is worth doing it in an early sunny morning, since this time is the most suitable. Before proceeding with sowing seeds, they should also be stored for at least two months, and storage is carried out by soaking the seeds in Zircon.
In order to create a suitable potting mix for sowing seeds, peat is needed, which is mixed with ingredients such as vermiculite and deciduous soil. Further, the seeds are laid out neatly right on the surface of the earth, sprinkled with silt on top with a thin layer of a substrate of the same composition. In order to increase the germination of seeds, in the room where the containers with seeds are located, the temperature should be set at twenty degrees. If the temperature is higher or lower, then the seeds will most likely go into a very long hibernation, or decay processes will begin, then you should not expect at all that the seeds will sprout even in a small, insignificant amount. Be sure to constantly look after the seeds, ventilate the room where the containers with seeds are located, so that the air does not stagnate, it is not too stuffy, and musty air does not appear, because it causes the development of various diseases.
The very first shoots may appear about four to six weeks after sowing.They are transferred to well-lit rooms, and the temperature in the room should be about 15-17 degrees. After the full-fledged bulbs are formed, and the third leaf appears on the surface, the seedlings can be transplanted into separate containers. After another seven days, it is necessary to feed the seedlings with a mineral mixture. But do not forget that the dosage should be reduced several times, since the lethal doses of fertilizer in the literal sense of the word will kill the planting. After a year or a year and a half, the plant will begin to form the first flowering, it is important to just be patient and understand that the plant needs a little more time in case of this sowing method.
Let's talk about the second way of reproduction of cyclamen - by dividing the bush. Cyclamen can be propagated by this method even when the plant is in a state of deep dormancy. The bulb is carefully removed from the ground, and then it is dried. Then they take a sharp and disinfected instrument and cut the bulb with it so that each part has its own roots, as well as a viable bud and leaves. Experienced gardeners say that the best individual in this case is the one that initially had a large number of viable buds. In order for the plant to not become infected with any diseases through the sections, the sections are immediately processed with charcoal, and the plant is also given time for the processed sections to dry out a little. After a few years, the delenki can be planted in containers.
When the flowering of cyclamen ends, the leaves begin to turn yellow very actively, and then completely fall off. This is just an indicator that the plant is finally going to rest. At this point, he should also provide suitable care, since the plant should not be forgotten at this time. All dry leaves and flowers from the bush are very quickly removed, those leaves that have not yet had time to turn yellow are cut off closer to the very base of the bush. The procedure is carried out using a very sharp knife that has been disinfected, otherwise there is a high risk of infection. It is not worth watering the plant too often, but use a small amount of liquid for this. The pot with the plant is placed in a cool room, a shadow should fall on the area. It is worth remembering that the vital activity of the entire plant is ensured precisely due to the health of the bulb. In general, cyclamen is an ideal plant that is great for decorating your plot, your home, or just giving as a gift. The plant is quite capricious, but nevertheless, if you follow all the caring procedures, then the florist will definitely not be disappointed with the result.