September has arrived and with it one of the most popular beauties for the home and garden: the cyclamen. These pretty flowers not only decorate the outdoor beds, but also the windowsill in our four walls. But although care is relatively easy, not everyone manages to keep the plant alive for several months or to encourage new blooms. This is because many people don't know how exactly to care for the cyclamen - not only during flowering, but also afterwards. We summarize what needs to be taken into account.
Cyclamen in the apartment – this is how to properly care for the flower
The indoor cyclamen not only adorns with its beautifulFlowers in different colors(white, pink, purple, pink, red and bicolor), but also with its interesting leaves that are a little reminiscent of ivy (hence the name ivy-leaved cyclamen). But so that the flower can present all of this in all its glory and for a long time, proper cyclamen care is important. How do you care for cyclamen?
Caring for cyclamen – First find the right place
If the cyclamen doesn't like the location, no matter how much effort, love and time you put into the rest of the care, the plant simply won't be able to thrive. For this reason, you first find a nice place where you will care for the cyclamen. This should be as bright as possible, but free from direct sunlight and away from heating and heat. Sounds a bit difficult, right? In principle it should be a windowsillon the North– or the east side, under which there is no radiator. The ideal temperatures for long flowering are 15 to 18 degrees, but there are also varieties that can tolerate higher temperatures.
Notice: If the flowers hang downwards, this is a sign that it is too warm. As a result, the cyclamen can wither more quickly and sometimes even lose leaves.
Caring for cyclamen: correct watering
It is very important that you water the cyclamen correctly. Not only the amount of water is important, but also the way you water the flower. How do you water cyclamen correctly?
- First of all, the water should, if possible, be low in lime (For example, collect rainwater).
- Also make sure that it is neither too warm nor too cold. For this purpose, you can store it in bottles so that it is at room temperature.
- As long as the cyclamen is blooming, the substrate should always be moist.
- Waterlogging should be avoided. If you notice that water is building up in the substrate you are using and remains wet for a long time, replace it with something more permeable. But normal potting soil should be sufficient.
- Do not pour directly onto the substrate. Always fill the saucer (or planter) with water so that the plant can soak itself up with the necessary amount of water.
Fertilizer promotes growth and maintains flowers
The long flowering period takes a toll on the cyclamen's strength, which is why you should always provide it with nutrients during this time. The correct fertilizer doses are important when caring for a cyclamen. It is best to fertilize once every week, using liquid fertilizer, which may be weakly concentrated. Mix it with the irrigation water and administer by watering.
Caring for cyclamen: When and how to replace the old substrate
Your plant can easily remain in a pot and substrate for two years until it is time to replace it. The best time to plant them in fresh potting soil is September, before flowering begins. Pay attention in advance to how deep the tubers are and be sure to maintain the same depth in the new pot/substrate when repotting the cyclamen. Typically only two-thirds of the tuber is below the surface.
What do you do when the flower fades?
If you buy your cyclamen in September or later, it will be in full bloom. After all, that's the only way it caught your attention, right? The flowering period lasts until April - a quite long period in which, as described above,should care for the cyclamen. What about cyclamen care after flowering? In order for the plant to continue to bloom in the next season, it is particularly important to have a rest phase during which the care needs change:
- While the flower needs moderately moist soil during the flowering phase, watering is reduced in the summer after flowering. This encourages new blooms in September.
- As soon as the flowers have faded, stop fertilizing. One and a half to two months later, it's time to repot every two years, after which you start fertilizing again, but only every two to three weeks.
- During the summer months, when the flowering is over, you should move the cyclamen outside. Choose a partially shaded, bright location. The plant feels most comfortable outside from May until the first frost. Then bring the cyclamen back indoors in the fall, where you carry out the usual care for cyclamen in the apartment.
If you don't have a garden but still want to put the plant outdoors, you can continue to care for the cyclamen on the balcony under the conditions mentioned.
Are cyclamen hardy?
There are varieties that are hardy and can therefore be planted directly in the garden. For this reason, the cyclamen is also often used forGrave planting in autumnused. The winter-hardy varieties differ in their flowering time. Some bloom from February onwards, others in summer and then there are the autumn cyclamens. If you combine several varieties and also care for the cyclamen appropriately, you can enjoy the beautiful flowers all season long.
