Resistant and colorful, the cyclamen brings joy to the city even in the cold season, giving life to gardens and houses during the winter.
Cyclamen is one of the most popular plants among flower lovers. It belongs to the tuberoses, which are usually grown in the garden or on the terrace , where they produce splendid pink, white and red corollas at any time of the year.
This is the perfect plant for those who love colorful and particular flowers : thanks to their original shape and delicate shades, we can see them even in the most luxuriant flowerbeds during the winter. Cyclamen grow above all in the areas of Greece, France and Italy, since their natural habitat is that of the Mediterranean maquis , in which rocky areas alternate with vast broad-leaved woods.
Many species of this plant flower mainly from September to December while others are also born in spring. In this article you will be able to find out how to grow cyclamen and how to best take care of it.
Where the cyclamen grows
Cyclamen is one of the most loved flowers by those who love to be surrounded by perfume and colour. This is in fact one of the most resistant species in the world, which grows strongly even in soils poor in water and well drained, as well as in the shade and in areas that are not too sunny.
The so-called rustic cyclamens are even easier to cultivate, especially if they are planted in soils without large stagnations of water , which would be detrimental to their growth. For this reason, a first tip is to plant the cyclamen in a pot if the soil is too wet , alternatively, special flower beds can be created with well-drained soil.
Another of the peculiarities of this wonderful flower is that it grows very easily next to deciduous trees , which are usually found in cool and shady positions even in summer.
How many varieties exist
Before talking in detail about how to best grow this plant, let’s see how many types of cyclamen exist . The varieties are really many, just think that in the world there are 20 different species that differ between those typical of the Mediterranean, Asian and African areas. In Italy there are three most common species: the spring cyclamen , the alpine one and the Neapolitan one .
Only the alpine one among these mentioned tolerates frost , even if in general all cyclamen are able to grow even when the temperatures get colder. The most resistant is instead the Neapolitan one , with the scientific name of Cyclamen hederifolium , which reproduces in complete autonomy .
Its leaves vary in size and have triangular or heart- shaped shapes . These cyclamen grow very well under the shade of a tree, since in that case the soil is rich in organic substances which allow the plant to receive all the nutrients it needs.
This species is cultivated throughout Italy and its flowering begins at the end of August and continues uninterruptedly until the end of November . The color is one of the most popular, it varies from white to some shades of pink which sometimes become darker, taking on purplish hues.
How to cure it in pots and on the ground
One of the very few plants that grows well even in pots is the cyclamen . This saves time for its cultivation, since it is not always essential to repot it. Generally it is recommended to use a mixed composition soil , specific for flowering plants. The most important thing is to pay attention to drainage .
In fact, to ensure the good growth of this plant, it is necessary to place a layer of clay or gravel at the bottom of the pot. However, let us remember that one of the risks during the growth of cyclamen is that of mold formation , which is created when the environment is not sufficiently airy. Also pay attention to the temperature , which should never exceed 15°C and above all it should be placed away from the sun’s rays which could enter through the windows.
As far as land cultivation is concerned , the cyclamen must be positioned in an area that is not affected by the sun, such as under large trees or hedges, making sure to keep it away from gusts of wind and frost . In fact, their duration is greater if they are kept away from frost and rain, even if, as we have already mentioned, the most important aspect is the ground, which must be free from water stagnation . Also with regard to cultivation on the ground , it is therefore advisable to create special tanks or flower beds in order to plant the cyclamen in an ad hoc soil for its growth.
Pests and common problems
It is not frequent that this plant gets sick, since it is one of the most resistant, often used as a gift idea due to its ease of maintenance. It may happen, however, that excessive humidity can cause mold to grow which appears in the form of a spot on the flower petals. Even mites could hit a cyclamen, especially if it’s a young plant. In this case, specific products are needed to ward off the annoying red spider mites that arrive when the temperature is too high around the plant.
- Cyclamen: everything you need to know to take care of it (tuttogreen.it)
- Cyclamen: characteristics and cultivation (cure-naturali.it)
