The author of the text is MSc. Barbara Bogacz
Cyclamens belong to the primrose family. This genus includes about 20 species from the mountain forests of the Caucasus, the Alps and the Balkans.They produce underground tubers that arise from the leafy part of the shoot.They create profusely flowering colorful carpets. This family also includes the well-known home-grown Persian cyclamen, commonly known as alpine violet.
In contrast to it, garden cyclamens are small plants with small flowers, reaching several centimeters in height. Their leaves are evergreen and heart-shaped, fade in spring to reappear in late summer.Cyclamen coum Cyclamen coum blooms in March and April, and the ivy Cyclamen hederifolium and purple in late summer and until to frost. Attention, they contain poisonous glycoside!
Cyclamens require a semi-shaded, slightly moist and humus substrate with a neutral to alkaline reaction. They feel great between ferns and the black hellebore, under shrubs and trees, on shaded rockeries, where water does not accumulate.In winter, they need protection against excessive moisture with a thick layer of dry leaves on which we put spruce branches.
Spring-flowering cyclamens are planted quite shallow, 3-6 centimeters below the surface. Their bulbs root from the bottom, while autumn cyclamens form roots on all sides and take root more easily when planted a little deeper. We plant them in groups from May (autumn species) to August (spring species) so that they form dense carpets.Crocuses, snowdrops, snowstorms and squabs are good company for early flowering cyclamen. Autumn cyclamen can be accompanied by autumn crocuses and winter crocuses.
Persian cyclamen from A to Z
Cyclamens can also be planted in containers - they will be a perfect decoration for shaded terraces or balconies. Before summer emergence, cyclamens should be fed with fertilizers with an increased amount of phosphorus, thanks to which the plants bloom profusely and for a long time.
Breeding cyclamen is quite difficult. The seeds require low temperature stratification, they germinate after 20-25 days, and young plants grow long and must have a constant temperature of 10-15˚C.They are produced by gardeners in many varieties with flowers of various shades of pink to white and green leaves with silvery patterns.When buying cyclamen tubers, pay attention to their quality - they should be firm and firm, without any signs of damage or stains.
