Cyclamen is a perennial flowering plant from the Primulaceae family. It can be grown in the ground to adorn your garden, or in a pot to brighten up your interior, balcony or terrace. There are several species of cyclamen, but the most common is cyclamen persicum, also called florists’ cyclamen. To decorate your balcony with the beautiful flowers of this plant all year round, find out how to propagate it.
Cultivated since Antiquity, cyclamen is a plant that symbolizes sincere love. Its white, pink, purple or red flowers are ideal for decorating interiors, but also balconies and flowerbeds.
How to propagate cyclamen?
You can propagate your plant by sowing seeds or dividing the tuber
- Sowing cyclamen seeds
Harvest cyclamen seeds ideally during the month of July, as this is when they reach maturity. To encourage seed germination, dry them and soak them in water for 12 to 24 hours. The seeds will thus absorb moisture from the water and will be able to germinate easily. Then plant the seeds in pots. You can plant up to 20 seeds per pot. Choose a drained potting soil, rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. To add acidity to your potting soil, you can add sphagnum peat moss. You can also cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost or gravel.
- Division of the cyclamen tuber
Cyclamen is a tuberous plant which means that it has a tuber. This portion of underground stem not only allows it to reproduce, but also to store reserves for periods when the plant is dormant and loses its leaves. In autumn, remove the tuberous root from the ground and divide the stump into several pieces, using a knife. Each piece must have a bud. Then, dig a hole in the potting soil about two inches deep, and plant the pieces of the tuber inside. Cover them with potting soil and tamp lightly. You can add a layer of mulch to the surface to retain heat. The roots should in principle form before winter arrives.
How to maintain cyclamen?
To take care of your cyclamen, water it every time the soil is dry . Stick your thumb in the soil to check its moisture. However, avoid excess water which can rot the roots . After each watering, be sure to remove any stagnant water in the saucer or planter. Also avoid watering the foliage , as this can cause it to rot. Fertilize your plant with a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season, and stop all fertilizer during its dormant period. You should also reduce the frequency of watering during this period. Note that florists’ cyclamen enters a period of vegetative rest in summer. During this period, keep your plant in a cool place with little light. Your cyclamen will grow back quickly in autumn and flower in winter. But for this, it will need partial shade exposure during its growth. Don’t forget to repot your plant every two years. To do this, choose a slightly larger pot , and change the potting soil to give your plant a new supply of nutrients.
What pests can ravage cyclamen?
The pests that cyclamen fear are mites and aphids. You can find these pests on the stem or foliage of your plant. Cyclamen can also be affected by cryptogamic disease, caused by a fungus called botrytis. This develops when the soil is very humid. Gray rot can then cover the foliage which turns yellow. To save your plant, cut off the leaves affected by the fungus. This will allow the foliage to oxygenate better again.
Thanks to these two propagation methods, you will be able to reproduce your cyclamen to brighten up your balcony with its beautiful colorful flowers.
