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There are over 20 species of cyclamen, but the one that grows best as an indoor houseplant
is the cyclamen persicum. This table plant produces
lovely butterfly like flowers in red, white, pink, and lavender atop tall upright stems.
The leaves of a cyclamen are heart shaped and marked with a silver design. A cyclamen
is a relatively small plant growing to only 8”-10” in height. Cyclamen are usually given as gifts for Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. Although many people throw them out when they finish blooming, cyclamen can grow and
bloom as an indoor houseplant year after year with proper care.
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CARE OF CYCLAMEN
Light: While growing in the fall and winter, indoor cyclamen need bright indirect light. Once they have become dormant in
the spring, place them in a dark area until they begin to produce new leaves in the fall.
Water: Always allow your cyclamen to dry out before watering it. This is a plant that needs to be watered from
the bottom. Place it in a saucer of water for 10 minutes so it can absorb the water it needs; then allow it to drain before
returning it to its decorative container. This is a tuberous plant; once all of the leaves and flowers have fallen off, stop
watering it for 2-3 months until new leaves start to appear around September. Try not to get water on the leaves.
Temperature: This is a plant that grows faster and blooms more in cool temperatures,
55-65 degrees is ideal. During its dormant phase, which is during the spring and summer, place the cyclamen in an area away
from the heat. It does not do well in temperatures below 50 and above 70 degrees.
Fertilizer:
Feed a cyclamen every three to four weeks while it is growing in the fall and winter.
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| Copyright Felinda |
CYCLAMEN FAQ’S
1. I just got a beautiful cyclamen as a gift and the leaves are starting to turn yellow. Does it need more or less water?
Unless your plant is very droopy, I would say you are over watering it. Allow the soil to dry out and then water it from
the bottom.
2. Should I cut off the flowers and leaves as they die?
Cyclamen
do better if you gently pull off dead flowers and leaves. Never use a scissors.
3.
My cyclamen has beautiful leaves but no flowers. What can I do to get it to bloom?
Many plants like peace lilies
and lipstick plants bloom more when they are stressed. Move your cyclamen to a brighter but cool location and allow it to
really dry out before watering it.
4. Where should I store my cyclamen when it
becomes dormant?
You can store it in any low light very cool area, 50-55 degrees. If you put it in the garage
or basement, be sure it doesn’t get too hot there.
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