Characteristics of cyclamen

• Common name: Cyclamen
• Scientific name: Cyclamen
• Family: Primulaceae
• Origin: Eastern Mediterranean regions
• Location: Indoors and outdoors if protected from rain and frost
• Flowering: Autumn - Winter
• Light: From bright to very bright
• Temperature minimum: 0-2 ºC,
• Ideal temperature: 13-15 ºC
• Irrigation: Moderate
• Credit memo: Flowering fertilizer

Cyclamen, better known as cyclamen, is a tuber plant belonging to the primulaceae family. It is also called artanite and hog bread in some parts of the world.

As you know, most houseplants come from tropical areas. However, this plant comes from the Mediterranean area where winters are quite harsh and summers are very hot.

It is a plant that, therefore, appreciates the cool winters Excessive heat and sun are deadly for it.

In its natural environment takes advantage of the winter to bloom Why that time of the year? Because in the Mediterranean area it is the time when it rains and that is the best time for them to grow.

During the summer, with the first hot weather, the leaves of the cyclamen wither and the bulb lies dormant in the ground until the following autumn.

Cyclamen, indoor or outdoor?

The cyclamen is a perfect plant to fill your home with color during the winter season as well as for outdoor gardens. The important thing is to keep the temperature cool they need.

If during the winter time you are people who put the heating to much temperature, your varieties will not survive.

Different varieties of cyclamen

There are different varieties of cyclamen in size function that reach size. They can be small, larger, with leaves and flowers of various sizes.

The mini cyclamen: It develops very small flowers. Outdoors it works very well as it withstands frost and low temperatures. Indoors it is used as a decorative complement for small spaces.

_{Autumn flowers}

2. Medium cyclamen: The best option for this cyclamen are the gardeners (avoiding frosts that frosts will fall directly). They are perfect for the terrace and the balcony.

3. Large cyclamen: can be used as an indoor plant in very luminous places, and outdoors exclusively in Mediterranean climate zones.

Cyclamen care

In terms of basic care, the cyclamen can be in full bloom all winter long .

1. Light

Designate a place in your home very bright Excessive heat causes the plant to finish its cycle earlier and reduces its ornamental life.

Ideally, it should be placed next to a north-facing window so that it receives plenty of light but never direct sunlight.

If you notice that your leaves begin to turn more yellowish, may be due to a lack of light.

Temperature

Above 16ºC its flowering begins to wither quickly and your bush enters a resting period.

_{Cyclamen and other small plants for table centerpieces.}

If you want your cyclamen to last many months in bloom at home, avoid placing it in the hottest place in the house and, at dusk, take it outside, at the foot of an open window or on a balcony, where it is sheltered from possible frost or heavy rain.

If you do not want to do this on a daily basis, it will last longer if you leave it outdoors and bring it indoors on special occasions.

Irrigation

Irrigation is one of the most important key aspects in the maintenance of cyclamen.

This plant has a tuber similar to that of the potato but smaller, which is important to be kept dry It should not be moistened when watering.

Watering should be moderate, as excess can cause rotting and irreversible decay. If you notice that the lower leaves are more yellow, it may be because it is suffering from an excess.

If the soil is left to dry out, the cyclamen will be much more wilted due to dehydration. The ideal is to keep the substrate always moist, but removing excess water from the saucer after each watering. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

How to water cyclamen properly? The best method is immersion.

Take the plant with its pot and place it in a container. Water it in the container, not directly in the soil of the cyclamen and, little by little, it will absorb from the base what it needs. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.

Another factor to take into account is the irrigation water temperature It is important that it is between warm and hot because otherwise, the shock of the cold water will cause it to lose the flowers as well.

Once you remove the plant from the container with water, the place on a saucer with gravel What is achieved by this is that all the water that drains the plant remains in the pot and not in contact with the roots at the bottom.

Cyclamen planting

When it comes to planting cyclamen, depending on the variety, you can opt for different options.

1. Planting cyclamen in decorative containers

They can be placed in watertight containers that are decorative without the need to remove them from their pots. In this way, these containers can be kept indoors.

2. Planting cyclamen in outdoor pots

Another option is to plant them in a pot outdoors, in a protected area. If you use soil from a previous planting, do not forget to improve and enrich it. In this case, we have planted a large variety of cyclamen.

3. Planting cyclamen in planters

For planting in planters, we are going to use new substrate, Iñigo recommends using a hydrocontrol substrate.

As we have already mentioned, cyclamen should not be overwatered. Sometimes the substrate dries out, leaving the plant quite wilted, and when rehydrated again, it suffers.

To ensure that the substrate retains moisture for a long time, the hydrocontrol substrate is perfect. In fact, holds up to 40% more water available to plants.

The varieties chosen for planting in planters are of medium size, perfect for terraces and balconies. The effect is beautiful! But, of course, avoid direct frost about them.

Tips when buying cyclamen

When you go to buy some varieties of cyclamen, make sure that the leaves are in perfect condition and that there are many new flowers in the form of buds. In this way, you will ensure a prolonged flowering.

If you are interested in knowing more tips to make a good purchase and that your plants arrive at their destination in the best possible way, don't miss these tips.

How to prevent cyclamen from wilting when planting at home?

Once you have bought a cyclamen, it may happen that when you arrive at your home you notice that its substrate is completely dry and its flowers are a little drooping and leaning.

How can you recover them? You must moisturize the root ball before planting. In this way, you will observe how they return to their initial vertical position.