How to care for cyclamen during the rest period?

Cyclamen, (lat. - Cýclamen), he is also an alpine violet, he also belongs to the family of primipers (lat. - Primulaceae). In ancient times, this flower was called "pork bread" because its tubers adored wild pigs. These tubers have a circle shape, almost perfect, from which its name went - "cyclos" - a circle.

The plant fell in love with all one pronounced feature - it blossoms its delicate, beautiful, bright flowers with the advent of cold weather, when all other plants are at rest. And, conversely, in summer the plant rests. For this amazing ability to “sleep” with the onset of heat, in Hellas they called cyclamen a “sleeping” flower.

Undoubtedly, he is one of the most beautiful pets in the room. Cyclamen inflorescences are very similar to butterflies, perched on beautiful leaves with silver streaks. Large, fragrant cyclamen flowers with a delicate, delicate and refined aroma amaze with a variety of colors. From red and orange to purple and white. And the shades of pink can not be counted: from soft coral, almost pastel, to bright and dark, saturated colors.

What it is?

During the dormant period, cyclamen ceases to bloom and drops leaves, vital processes are suspended and freeze. Your pet should have a good rest in order to please with plentiful and beautiful flowering (about the features of cyclamen flowering, as well as about the rules for caring for it before and after it has bloomed, read here).

There are two broad subgroups into which the entire large cyclamen family can be divided:

1. Cyclamen European: it is larger and hibernation is more smooth. It does not bloom, but does not shed leaves. The European cyclamen in Russia has a greater number of fans than the Persian.
2. Persian cyclamen: smaller than his brother and he enters a state of complete rest in the summer months (we talked about the features of caring for Persian cyclamen at home here).

When does it "fall asleep"?

After abundant flowering, the plant goes into a dormant phase. This usually occurs between May and July. Cyclamen completely discards the leaves, they will not begin to grow again until the end of July.

Do not forget that for good life of the flower, it is necessary to select the correct temperature of the content. The most optimal is 16-18 degrees.

With an increase in temperature, the plant may think that summer has come - to stop flowering and fall into a state of dormancy.

Helping prepare for hibernation

Going to rest, the "sleeping flower" ceases to form flower buds, but young leaves can still grow for some time. This is because the tuber needs to stock up nutrients for the next waking period.

The tuber actively stocks up “food” for future flowers and therefore cracks may appear on it. If you allow the overdrying of the soil, especially more than once - their appearance is greatly increased.

Such cracks will not do much harm to cyclamen, if you do not immediately pour them abundantly with water. Getting into the cracks, the water contributes to the rotting of the tuber, and the plant will suffer a much worse state of rest.

It is possible to deal with decay of cracks. It is enough to fill them with ashes or crushed coal. After this treatment, the wounds will tighten with a crust after a few days.

Dying, yellowing leaves and drying flowers are carefully removed. This should be done by cleaning along with peduncles and petioles of leaves, to the very surface of the tuber. Cyclamens rarely shed leaves completely. Gradually watering reduce and transfer the plant into place.

Is it necessary to forcibly send to the plant in such a state?

There is a false opinion that if it’s time for the cyclamen to rest, but he doesn’t want to bloom at all and continues to bloom, he must be forced to do it. Cutting leaves and twisting flower buds - you will not do better for your pet. Cyclamens forcibly sent to rest are ill and may even die.

In the case when the plant itself is not yet ready to retire, it is impossible to "put to sleep" it! Cyclamen should be helped and protected from direct sunlight. Put until in the shade, gradually the plant itself will go on rest.

An interesting fact is that young cyclamens may not even go to sleep at all. They continue to stay awake and bloom year-round. Over time, their regime will return to normal.

Preparing a place to relax

If possible, it is best to take your plant to a balcony or terrace. The loggia will do. In no case should direct sunlight be exposed to the cyclamen pot. It does not tolerate a "sleeping" flower and tobacco smoke, this also needs to be considered when choosing a place.

If you do not have a private terrace or loggia - do not worry. In summer, cyclamen normally tolerates elevated temperatures.

What home care does a flower need at this time?

Some novice growers think that once cyclamen is at rest, then watering is not necessary. How many gorgeous beauties were ruined thanks to such advice!

Cyclamen spends several months at rest and during this time not only the earthen lump will dry out very much, but the tuber itself. It will lose not only the nutrients accumulated during preparation for peace - the tuber can finally dry.

In the best case, the plant expects prolonged resuscitation, in the worst - it fails to save it and cyclamen dies. During rest, it is better to reduce watering, but not completely stop. Watering should be very moderate so that the tuber does not rot. (how to water cyclamen correctly can be found here).

At rest, cyclamens do not feed, but for the prevention of rot a little "Fitosporin" will not hurt. Add only a few drops, and the rotted flower is not terrible.

When and how to "wake up"?

Around September, the period of complete rest in cyclamens gradually ceases. The end of the "hibernation", when the plant wakes up, can be seen by the growth of new leaves and buds in the tuber.

1. The tuber is carefully examined - whether your handsome is alive, whether there are any injuries.
2. The plant is transplanted into fresh soil, the old one is too exhausted, and cyclamen will not bloom as plentifully and luxuriantly as we would like. The ground for the flower is chosen very nutritious, but loose and permeable.

   Excellent mixture in composition in the following proportions:

   • Humus - 1.
   • Peat - 1.
   • River sand - 1.
   • Sheet land - 3.

   The tuber is placed in a new pot and buried in the ground at 2/3 of the height (we talked about the beneficial properties of cyclamen tubers, as well as how to plant them properly).

   Important! The "golden rule" of gardeners says: the pot should be larger than the tuber by only 2-3 centimeters and no more! Want to have a gorgeous flowering cyclamen - follow this rule.
3. The plant is taken out to a permanent place, he will like the decrease in day and night temperatures in September. It will contribute to the abundant growth of cyclamen. And there is still enough sunlight - a lush and neat, compact sheet outlet will be formed.
4. Watering is gradually increasing, but the first month after planting it should be rare. When a handsome cyclamen takes root it needs to be watered more often. Every two weeks the plant is fed with weak solutions of mineral fertilizers. Fertilizers should not be carried away, otherwise your pet can build up a large leaf mass to the detriment of beautiful and delicate flowers.

Many novice lovers of this vibrant representative of the Primrose family are afraid to purchase it. They think that with such a luxurious flower a lot of fuss. But this is far from the case.

Observe all conditions, and the flower will be able to show everything that it can, that is, it will delight you all winter with lush, chic flowering.

There are not many important conditions for the well-being of the "sleeping pet": a cool room, humid air and the correct sending of the pet to rest!

Useful video

Watch a video about cyclamen and rest period:

Watch the video: How to Keep Cyclamen Blooming + Care Tips (April 2024).