What is Persian cyclamen and how to properly care for it?

Persian cyclamen grows on the rocky shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The plant has already adapted to harsh Russian conditions, but most often it can be found growing on window sills.

This perennial perfectly stores nutrients, which allows it to have a long flowering time, as well as incredible resistance. Another advantage of this plant is its flowering in the winter season, which is why cyclamen often becomes a great gift.

If you prefer to purchase such a plant or want to learn how to properly care for an existing flower, then you are advised to read this article in more detail.

Botanical Description and History

Persian cyclamen is a perennial. Refers to the type of grassy and tuberous. The height of the stems can reach 30 cm, and the tubers are round in shape, the diameter of which reaches 15 cm. The stems have one growth point. Leaves come straight from the root, very leathery to the touch, have a heart shape.

As for their color, depending on the climatic conditions of the growing zone, the leaves can have shades from light green to very dark leaves with silver inclusions. The diameter of the leaf reaches 14 cm, and they are located on reddish-brown petioles.

The flowers are bisexual, have five petals. The lower petal of such a plant is bent back. Peduncles reach a length of up to 20 cm. They resemble a butterfly. The petals themselves are pointed, slightly fringed, their length is about 5 cm.

The color scheme of the leaves varies from white to dark redincluding pink, purple, burgundy. There is a fruit, which is a small box with small small seeds.

The birthplace of this plant is Central Europe, namely the Mediterranean. Persian cyclamen can be seen in Asia Minor or Iran. Such a plant does not accidentally choose its location, because it prefers well-drained soils, which are enriched with organic substances.

When buying a plant, it is worth giving preference to one that has just begun its flowering. As a rule, such a cyclamen has several flowers open, and under the leaves you can find still unopened dense buds.

Leaves should not be yellow, tired. Be sure to look at the center of the plant for gray plaque. If it is, it means that the flower is affected by rot, and it was improperly taken care of.

The soil should be moderately moist.while not overfilled and not excessively dry. The tuber of a properly planted plant should partially protrude above the ground. If you buy a plant in the cold season, be sure to think about warm packaging.

There are other types of cyclamens. You can find out more about how to distinguish Persian cyclamen from European here, and in more detail about cyclamen mix in this material.

Photo

Next, you can see a photo of a Persian cyclamen:

Where and how to plant: rules and tips, instructions

How to care? It is worth giving preference to proper care of the plant at home.. After all, buying a Persian Cyclamen is very simple, but it’s enough for a couple of weeks not to properly water it or completely forget about such a thing as top dressing, how a flower will wither.

Lighting and location

The optimum temperature for planting such a plant is from 12 to 15 degrees during the day, and at night the temperature can drop to plus 10. In such conditions, the plant will feel best. If the temperature rises to 20 degrees, then the inhabitant of the windowsill will think that the dry season has come around him and will go into hibernation.

Also, at high temperatures, plants are vulnerable to ticks, which can lead to the death of the flower. Give preference to bright light, but diffused. Place the flower on the eastern windows.

In winter, with the flower moving around the apartment, you can play, most importantly, observe the desired temperature around. If the flower does not have enough light, it will definitely signal you about it with the help of yellowed leaves. If direct sunlight falls on the leaves, then burns will appear on them.

Pay attention to the air around the plant.. It would be a mistake to place such a flower next to the window where they constantly smoke or next to a gas stove. Also, refuse to place plants in drafts, next to ever-open windows or near heating appliances.

The optimum air humidity should be around 60%. In winter, for additional moisture, it is recommended to constantly spray air around the plant.

Soil requirements

The soil should be loose, preferably soft. If you do not have the opportunity to acquire ideal soil specifically for cyclamen, then in the store you can buy soil for any bulbous plants.

Do not forget about constant feeding and proper watering. The first layer of soil must be a dense expanded clay. Then loose soil.

When planting cyclamen, for starters, it is recommended that it moisturizes the earth well, wait a few days almost until it dries completely, moisten it again and then plant. Well, if you have the opportunity to place a moisture indicator in the soil.

How to care?

Even properly planted plants will never please you with their flowering if improper care is carried out. A full competent care begins with watering. It should be regular and at the same time moderate.

Watering is from abovetrying not to fall on leaves, flowers and tuber. Pay attention to water for irrigation. To do this, it is worthwhile to defend a bottle of water in advance until it reaches room temperature. If it is possible to let water through the filter, do it. The fluid should be soft.

Watering should not be done if the soil is not yet dry. If water collects in the pan, dispose of it immediately. Despite the fact that Cyclamen loves abundant watering, one should not allow excessive moisture or even the bay. But do not leave the plant dry for a long time, because this entails vulnerability to tick damage.

Top dressing is a prerequisite for those plants that delight you with their flowering. During the flowering period, you need to fertilize once a week, using half doses. After you have purchased the plant, it is worth feeding after a month.

You should not resort to such a procedure immediately, because there is a possibility that the flower is not used to a new place, it will experience a double shock. Get fertilizing without nitrogen or with its minimum content.

Cyclamen needs leaf cleaning. To do this, use a soft brush to paint. Also try to timely remove overgrown flowers, dried leaves, faded shoots. Remove unsuitable elements immediately with the peduncle, without leaving parts of the plant on the tuber.

Special attention should be paid to the care of Persian cyclamen after flowering. The plant goes into a dormant state, which means excess moisture can lead to its decay. Therefore, as soon as the flowers disappear on the plant, it is necessary to reduce the amount and frequency of watering.

As for transplanting such a plant, it is recommended to do this procedure every 4 years.

Cyclamen reacts poorly to a change in its habitat, may become sick or wither, so try to immediately transplant this plant into a pot with a reserve.

Common Diseases and Pests

Cyclamen is very often affected by gray rot. Often you can find a spider mite on the leaves. Both that and another disease can lead to the death of the plant, so it is worthwhile to detect the problem and treat it in time. So, gray rot occurs on the sheets, has a silver tint, and then gray.

As for the tick, the leaves and stems are painted in a bright yellow shade, then they begin to dry and serve.

Propagation Features

Cyclamen can propagate both by seed and by division. If the first method is painless for the plant, but it requires a lot of patience and time, then the second method is quite traumatic for the flower. That is why we advise you to use the methods of seed reproduction.

Try to use the seeds that you found on a living plant. Sometimes in stores you can find expired products for reproduction.

In order to get the seeds yourself at home, you need to have several copies of the plant. At the moment when both will bloom, you need to arm yourself with a soft brush and transfer the pollen from one flower to the stigma of a flower of another plant.

After carrying out the pollination procedure, the flower stalk should be twisted, and the box with seeds is transported closer to the ground. Watch the seed ripening process. It lasts about 5-7 months.

Conclusion

Cyclamen is a very beautiful flower, requiring special care, competent transplantation and reproduction. Unfortunately, many will unknowingly buy such a plant, not understanding how to properly care for it. Bringing this beauty home, first of all, be sure to visit thematic sites and get acquainted with the information that will devote you to the nuances of care, thereby helping you to decorate your windowsill with this plant.

Watch the video: Cyclamen Care Basics Step by Step (December 2024).