How to care for and grow alpine violet at home. Cyclamen - delicate “Alpine violet” Alpine violet from primroses

Very beautiful flower! I tried to grow it, but my first experience was unsuccessful - the cyclamen disappeared. How difficult is home care? Is it possible to get it to bloom all year round? One of my good friends is interested in cyclamen. I really love visiting her at home. All the window sills are filled with these flowers. Moreover, they bloom almost all year round. Some stop blooming, others begin. By the way, this flower has another name - cyclomenia.

Cyclamen (cyclomenia) on the windowsill

Among its neighbors on the windowsill, this plant stands out for its bright beauty and abundant flowering. How to grow cyclamen, how to replant it, what is behind it - let's look at it in detail. This representative is notable for the fact that it blooms in autumn and winter. If you are interested in the process of growing cyclamen yourself, you can buy seeds. It is also quite possible to obtain new plants by dividing the root. It should be borne in mind that the process of growing this flower from seeds is quite long; it can take a long time for it to grow a tuber and bloom.

Cyclamen (cyclomenia), photo:

The flowering process of a houseplant begins around November and ends by March. The five-petalled cyclomenia flowers on an elegant thin stalk are very beautiful - of an unusual shape with bent petals. The leaves are also very decorative - somewhat similar to a heart, an openwork white (or silver) pattern adorns the dark green “canvas”. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, hybrids of this flower are periodically born, which differ in shades and patterns on the leaves.

Photo of cyclamen flowers:

Features of cyclamens, varieties

The most remarkable quality of hybrids is the ability year-round flowering. Certain varieties can be planted in open ground, use as garden flowers. There are approximately 20 varieties of this plant, but the Persian, European, and Neapolitan (ivy-leaved) varieties are most often used for home cultivation.

The most common and popular representative is the Persian cyclamen. Flowers of this species can be of various shades: white, pink, dark red, lilac. The plant usually reaches 30 cm in height, has a large tuber with a diameter of 10-15 cm. The Persian variety can be grown both at home and in garden plots. If you want to plant it in your dacha, then choose one protected from wind and direct sun rays place, for example, near trees or bushes.

Persian cyclamen, photo:

The purple variety has characteristic, distinguishing it from its counterparts - the color of the leaf below has purple shade. Also, in this species, the tuber does not protrude above the soil; upon closer examination, it is completely covered with roots. Purple cyclamen retains its leaves all year round (there is no dormant period). The color of the flowers varies from white to all shades of red, the leaves have jagged edges. The plant produces color mainly in summer (June/early October); its other name is European cyclamen. The flowers of this variety have a very pleasant aroma.

European cyclamen (purple):

Cyclamen neapolitanis (ivy leaf):

Among the varieties of cyclamen you can even find those that grow on mossy tree trunks. In this case, the tree does not suffer, since the root system of the plant is not buried under the bark. In summer, wild cyclamen blooms and smells (the aroma is somewhat reminiscent of lilies of the valley), and with the onset of autumn it “falls asleep.” The height of wild-growing representatives does not exceed 10 cm; they reproduce by seeds, and insects help them. Caucasian cyclamen grows wild, can be grown at home, and is propagated by seeds and by dividing tubers. It can also be planted in a summer cottage.

Wild cyclamen, photo:

We decided to buy cyclamen - what to look for in the store

It’s hard to resist the charm of cyclamen and not buy a flowering specimen! Even if it does not bloom, the cap of leaves with gray-blue spots looks very decorative.

The question arises: where and when is it better to purchase this plant? I would like to note that the most common type of cyclamen - Persian - begins to be sold in late autumn.

When choosing, I advise you to pay attention to those plants that have more unopened buds– the more of these, the better. Naturally, your new flower should not have damaged leaves. They should be located low relative to the peduncles. It’s also worth paying attention to the tuber. A correctly positioned tuber should be halfway out of the ground. This is important, since it will determine how your cyclamen will develop further.

When purchasing, pay attention to the soil. Typically, plants from a flower shop are sold in a poor peat substrate, unsuitable for normal cultivation over a long period. Such plants should be replanted immediately, but only after the end of the flowering period.

For this:

carefully remove the plant from the pot, holding it close to the root by the leaves;
shake off the peat from the roots of the flower;
we check what condition they are in - if we see rotten ones, we boldly cut them off to healthy tissue;
soak the roots for 10-15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate - this procedure will disinfect root system cyclamen;
after disinfection, sprinkle the cut areas of the roots with activated carbon powder;
Before planting, be sure to pour a small layer of expanded clay onto the bottom of a clean pot;
Any universal soil for indoor or flowering plants is suitable as a substrate.

An experienced friend always tells me that cyclamen (cyclomenia) unpretentious flower, but you need to know some secrets.

Firstly, cyclamens do not like large containers. They prefer the corms to be cramped rather than spacious. That is, the distance between the nodules and the walls of the pot should be no more than 2-3 cm.
Secondly, cyclamen is a plant that periodically “hibernates,” that is, it requires a period of rest that lasts about three months. At this time, the pot with the fallen cyclamen is placed in a cool place. This could be, for example, some kind of storage room, toilet room, even the bottom shelf of the refrigerator is suitable if the temperature there does not rise above 11°C. During the dormant period, cyclamen is not watered, unless the soil in the pot is completely dry. One tablespoon of water per week will be more than enough.
Thirdly, this is perhaps one of the few plants that does not like bright sunlight. Be sure to shade the pot with cyclamen, or better yet, keep it on a north window.

How to grow cyclamen at home, caring for it

So that this bright flower makes you happy lush flowering, you must adhere to certain rules. The plant should feel comfortable: acceptable air temperature, absence of drafts, correct lighting, timely watering - all these requirements must be observed.

How to care for cyclamen at home:

The ambient temperature should not be higher than +12..15°C; if the mercury column rises above +20°C or falls below +10°C, the plant will not like it. There should be no drafts where the flower pot will be located. The presence of a heating radiator (or radiator) near flowers is also extremely undesirable.
This flower requires diffused light and light shade, since direct sunlight on the leaves can cause burns. The plant needs bright light only when it blooms; the flower reacts to excessive lighting by wilting leaves and the appearance of brown spots on them.
How to water cyclamen? Water this plant you only need through the pallet! You cannot pour water from above; it should not get on the tuber, flowers, foliage and other parts. It is recommended to fill the tray or saucer on which the pot stands with drainage expanded clay (a thin layer).
This plant prefers wet air. Here, again, expanded clay or small pebbles poured into a tray will help you. Do not irrigate the flower with water from a spray bottle. With the onset of the dormant period, it needs to be watered, but not as often as during active growth and flowering. If you notice that the leaves of a plant are turning yellow, this may also be an indicator of excessive dry air.
The soil for the flower should consist of equal parts of rotted leaves (leaf humus), peat, turf soil, coarse sand, vermiculite and clay. You can also buy a ready-made substrate for cyclamen (the option for cacti is also suitable).

Cyclamen - how to replant

It is best to replant in the summer. Late spring the plant stops blooming, a dormant period begins, at this time they stop watering it, and the pot itself is laid on its side. Around July, slowly, in small doses, watering begins again; when the first leaves appear, you can begin to replant the flower.

It has already been said that the peculiarity of cyclamen is the minimum amount of soil in the pot! But it would not be amiss to repeat that the tuber should be a little cramped; it should be buried only partially - about a third of the tuber should rise above the soil level in the pot. After replanting cyclamen, you should not overfill the flower with water; the soil should only be slightly moistened. Only when the plant comes to life, actively puts out leaves, and adapts to a new place, can you move on to normal watering and fertilizing.

How to grow cyclamen from seeds

If buying a ready-made potted flower does not appeal to you, and you are interested in going through this whole process yourself, then try to purchase high-quality seeds. Of course, you can select planting material from existing flowers, but you will have to first carry out the pollination process (using a brush or cotton swab). Pollination must be done repeatedly, from flower to flower, and the presence of different varieties is welcome. When the plant has finished blooming and the seed pods are ripe, pick them before they crack. Wrap the boxes in a clean cloth or paper; when they dry, they will open on their own, thus preserving the seeds.

Seed pod, photo:

To sow seeds, you should choose suitable soil. Substrates sold in flower shops are also suitable. Such soil most often contains peat, leaf soil, and vermiculite. If you want to make such a substrate yourself, then you will only have to mix equal proportional parts of these components. Do not forget about drainage (large polystyrene foam balls or small crushed stone); there must be holes at the bottom of the container.

The two most commonly used methods for sowing seeds are:

The seed is pre-soaked cold water(for two or three days), to which a couple of drops should be added every day detergent for dishes. This water should be changed daily and its temperature should be quite low.
The second option is more familiar to flower growers and gardeners - pre-treatment (soaking) with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate or Epin (2 drops per 200 ml of water). For seeds, 15 hours of such a “bath” is enough; after such treatment, even old seed gets a “shake-up” and sprouts.

You can try these two methods at the same time, and then choose the one that is more effective and convenient for you.

Next, to grow cyclamen from seeds, prepare a container with holes in the bottom, lay a layer of drainage, and pour soil on top. Make grooves in the soil, place the seeds there, or moisten the soil, spread the seed on top, and sprinkle a 2-3 cm layer of soil on top. Please note that there should be approximately 3 cm of free space between the seeds.

Further care of the crops - cover the containers plastic film, place them in a cool place. As mentioned above, the air temperature should not exceed +20°C.

Compliance with the temperature regime is extremely important for cyclamen, since when the temperature rises, the transition to a dormant period is triggered, and when it drops, the seed may simply rot.

Every day you should briefly lift the film to ventilate the seedlings; if you follow these simple rules, you will be able to see the seedlings approximately - it depends on the variety. After the pinkish sprouts appear, the temperature should be reduced to +8..15°C. From the moment of germination, the growth of young stock seems to slow down, this is due to the fact that the plants are actively growing roots. After about 4 months, you can begin to plant them in separate containers; by this time, each seedling should have 2 or 3 leaves.

Subsequent transplantation of cyclamen to permanent place residence is carried out by transshipment along with a lump of earth. Pot with drainage holes, drainage material, appropriate soil - everything must be according to the rules. Young tubers need to be completely buried; adult representatives, as mentioned above, should rise above the ground by half or a third.

You can start feeding after 6 months, complex compositions for flowering indoor plants are optimal for this. Do not forget about high-quality regular watering of cyclamen.

Reproduction of cyclamen

The most convenient and uncomplicated method of propagation is dividing the tubers during transplantation. It’s good if your flower has already grown a daughter tuber by this time. With the onset of the dormant period, you can cut such a tuber into pieces yourself, the main thing is that each fragment contains roots + a bud. The surfaces of the cuts should be treated with green paint or thoroughly powdered with crushed activated carbon. The tuber division method really works, try it and see. Another method of propagating a plant by seeds is described above.

If you notice that your cyclamen is starting to fade and the leaves are turning yellow, what should you do? Most likely the cause is excessive lighting. Move the container with the flower to a shady place or hang thick curtains on the window. Heat and dry air can also cause yellowing of foliage.

A lack of iron can also affect the well-being of the plant: the leaves turn yellow in the same way and begin to droop. This phenomenon is called chlorosis, but adding the drug “Microvit K-1” (iron chelate) to the water for irrigation helps to cope with the problem.

Sometimes yellowing of the foliage can be a consequence of the appearance of spider mites - it is recommended to irrigate the flower with an insecticide. Make sure that the soil is moderately moist; too dry or too wet soil also leads to yellowing of the plant leaves.

Cyclamen has faded - what to do next?

With the onset of the dormant phase, the plant's foliage withers and dries out. Remaining leaves and flowers should be trimmed or torn off by hand, making sure that the tuber is not damaged. By this time, as mentioned above, watering should be kept to a minimum, but the earthen ball near the tuber should not be too dry. If you have the opportunity to bring a flower to Fresh air, do it. The plant should always be in a cool, shaded place; if you notice new leaves sprouting, this will mean that the dormant period has ended.

The beginning of the dormant period, photo:

Sometimes the flower along with the pot is buried in a shady place on the site; replanting is done when the plant “wakes up” from hibernation. In this case, the soil and earthen ball are completely replaced, the tuber is inspected, spoiled fragments are removed, and a month after transplantation, fertilizing begins to be introduced during watering. You can buy a ready-made earthen mixture for cyclamens.

Another option for preserving tubers is described above - laying the pot on its side, replanting in July or August.

Why doesn't cyclamen bloom? You can sometimes see a similar question on the relevant forums. The answer to this is proper care, following the rules when sowing seeds, replanting, and dividing tubers. It is very important to provide the plant with the required temperature regime and acceptable air humidity. Proper watering of cyclamen and timely application of fertilizers are the basic needs of the plant, the key to its future lush flowering.

Separate mention should be made of diseases and pests that threaten the plant and can affect its flowering. Timely treatment with insecticides and maintenance products is very important. Regularly inspect the flower from all sides, take action at the slightest suspicion of the presence of uninvited guests or deterioration in appearance.

Cyclamen drops

It is worth mentioning one interesting and healing feature of this decorative flower- he is medicinal plant, whose anti-inflammatory effect was already known to Hippocrates. Today, with its help, sinusitis is successfully treated, drops, ointments, and tinctures are made. Like any other plant gifts of nature, cyclamen should be treated with caution and not be too zealous with doses and frequency of treatment.

Cyclamen root, also known as a tuber, contains biologically active cyclamine (a substance from the saponid group), which provokes increased secretion of the mucous membranes and thereby helps the natural cleansing of inflamed (“clogged”) sinuses. To prepare medicinal homemade drops based on the root of the plant, you need to take part of the tuber, grate it on a fine grater (or squeeze by hand press for garlic). The resulting pulp should be strained through a layer of clean cloth, and the resulting juice should be diluted with boiled (or distilled) water 1:4. Thus, you will receive a natural cure for sinusitis and runny nose; instill it daily, 2 drops in each nostril for 7-10 days.

You can also grind 2 g of root, pour 100 ml of boiling water over it, leave for about 1 hour, then dilute one teaspoon of infusion per liter boiled water, drip into the nose.

An oil extract based on the root helps very well with dry nasal mucosa. The squeezed tuber juice is mixed with the same amount of olive or sunflower oil, left for about a day, and then 3 drops are dripped into the nose for 7 days.

Taking into account all the information, now you will know how to care for cyclamen, how to grow flowers from seeds, how to replant the plant and propagate it by dividing the roots.

Its flowers resemble bright summer butterflies perched on a thin stem, but the most amazing and valuable thing is that we can enjoy this splendor during winter snowstorms and cold weather.

For cyclamen to bloom in winter, care for it at home should include high-quality summer rest. The root should not waste energy and nutrients on growing foliage. Despite the fact that this flower requires the same approach as most indoor plants, it is considered capricious, but the result fully justifies the investment of time and effort.

Plant cyclamen (lat. Cyclamen) belongs to the genus of herbaceous perennials of the Myrsinaceae family, although some scientists classify it as a member of the Primrose family. The plant's name comes from a Latin root meaning "round", like the shape of cyclamen tubers. The genus has about 20 species. In nature, the cyclamen flower is widespread in the Mediterranean, Iran and North-East Africa, but most of all in Turkey. Some types of cyclamen are successfully grown as indoor plants. Diluted cyclamen juice is used to treat sinusitis, but care should be taken as it can burn the mucous membrane.

Listen to the article

Planting and caring for cyclamen (in brief)

Bloom: early spring, autumn, sometimes all year round.
Lighting: bright diffused light, light partial shade.
Temperature: 6-12˚C.
Watering: during the period of active growth, regular, moderate, bottom watering.
Air humidity: higher than usual.
Feeding: once every two weeks with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer for flowering indoor plants in a weak concentration.
Rest period: within 2-2.5 months after flowering.
Transfer: once every two years at the end of the dormant period.
Reproduction: seeds and dividing the tuber if it has more than one growth point.
Pests: spider mites, aphids, thrips, cyclamen mites.
Diseases: gray mold, rhizoctonia, late blight, fusarium wilt.

Homemade cyclamen - growing features

The cyclamen root is a flattened round corm up to 15 cm in diameter with a single growing point. Damage it and destroy the bulb. Cyclamen leaves are basal, leathery, heart-shaped, growing on petioles up to 30 cm long, dark green with a grayish-silver pattern. Original form the flowers look like strange butterflies - the petals are bent and pointed, sometimes have a fringed shape, and color palette incredibly wide - boiling white, pink, all shades of red, burgundy and purple. Cyclamen blooms for longer than three months.

There is an opinion that indoor cyclamen - capricious plant. Don't believe it! Cyclamen is unpretentious, it’s just that its agricultural technology, like the agricultural technology of any other plant, has certain requirements, the obligatory fulfillment of which will allow you to easily cope with its cultivation. So:

Do not under any circumstances store faded cyclamen tubers in the refrigerator - after such storage the bulb will not wake up;
the cyclamen flower does not tolerate heat and stuffiness, but lives well in a cool room at a temperature that is uncomfortable for humans - only 6-12 ºC;
direct sunlight can cause burns on beautiful leaves cyclamen;
do not bury the cyclamen tuber in the ground: at least a third of the bulb should remain on the surface;
cyclamen does not tolerate excess mineral salts in the soil, so be careful with fertilizers;
The pot for cyclamen needs to be small, so that from the bulb to the wall of the pot there is a layer of soil no thicker than 2-3 cm.

They also often look for cyclamen instead of cyclamen. It's nothing. We will tell you how to grow both flowers.

In the photo: White cyclamens in a pot

Growing cyclamen from seeds

How to grow cyclamen

A species such as Persian cyclamen reproduces by seeds. Cyclamen seeds are sown in February or March, although cyclamen grown at home can be propagated at any time of the year. On the eve of planting, soak the seeds for 12 hours in a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate or in preparations Epin or Zircon, prepared according to the instructions. After this, sow the seeds in an earthen mixture for cyclamen, consisting of two parts of pre-steamed soil, one part of a soil mixture such as “tulip” or “terra vita” and half of river sand to loosen the soil.

It will be better if you make a groove 1 cm deep in the soil, pour it well with water and place the seeds in it 2-3 cm apart. Sprinkle the seeds with a layer of soil on top and cover the container with glass or film.

At a temperature of 18-20 ºC, seeds germinate in 30-60 days, although there are slow-growing varieties that germinate in five or more months!

Planting cyclamen

When sprouts appear, remove the cover and move the container with them to a more illuminated place, but away from direct sunlight! When two true leaves appear, the seedlings sprout 2-3 seedlings into one pot, completely covering the nodules with soil. The soil should be loose, such as a “tulip” mixture or the same mixture in which you sowed the seeds. After 6-7 months, you can transplant the grown cyclamen into pots with a diameter of 6-7 cm with the same soil mixture. Planting cyclamen in this case requires deepening the corm no more than two-thirds of its size so that the growing point rises above the soil surface. If caring for cyclamen at home is correct, you will be able to see it bloom a year and a half after sowing the seeds.

In the photo: Growing cyclamen outdoors

Caring for home cyclamen

How to care for cyclamen at home

Cyclamen is a flower that requires bright, indirect light and cool (6-12 ºC) temperatures. In addition, you will have to ventilate the room often, but Do not create drafts in it under any circumstances– this is unacceptable for cyclamen. Frequent spraying will make the air humidity in the room higher, which cyclamen really likes; in addition, it can reduce the temperature in the room by a couple of degrees. summer heat. The plant also needs fertilizing with complex fertilizer for flowering plants, but be careful with the consistency - this plant It is better to underfeed than to overfeed.

How to water cyclamen

During the period of active growth, cyclamen requires regular watering, but try to avoid fanaticism in this matter: watering should be sufficient, but not excessive.

To be sure that the plant has enough moisture, use the bottom watering method - place the pot with cyclamen in a container of water and keep it in it until the top layer of soil gets wet, then remove the pot from the water and allow the excess to drain . This method, by the way, will not allow moisture to get to the top of the tuber, where the growth point is located, thereby minimizing the risk of plant rotting.

Reproduction of cyclamen

Cyclamen reproduce by seed, which we described in detail in the previous section, and by vegetative means by dividing the tuber. But only those corms that have more than one growing point can be divided, and this happens very rarely. In addition, the process of dividing and rooting part of a tuber for an amateur often ends in failure, so we can assume that The seed method of propagation of cyclamen is the only possible one.

In the photo: Cyclamen in a pot outdoors

Cyclamen after purchase

How to care for cyclamen immediately after purchase? Sometimes the next day after you bring the purchased cyclamen home, it drops flowers and even leaves. Don't panic - this is completely natural behavior for cyclamen. He needs to get used to your environment, and you try to create for him the conditions in which he will be comfortable. The cyclamen flower should occupy the brightest and coolest place in the house.

Check the substrate, and if it is dry, give the plant a drink using bottom watering or watering in a pan - in these cases, the plant will receive exactly as much moisture as it needs. Be sure to spray the plant. Do not feed cyclamen for two to three months after purchase - plants that go on sale are well and long-term fertilized.

Cyclamen flowering

Cyclamen blooms either in summer or winter, and the time, that is, the duration of the plant’s flowering, directly depends on how you follow the rules for caring for cyclamen. Let us recall that the optimal conditions under which cyclamen will bloom long and profusely are as follows: a lot of light, but without direct sunlight; The optimal temperature for flowering is not lower than 10 ºC and not higher than 20 ºC. Water either from the bottom or in a tray so that moisture does not get on either the growing point or the leaves with flowers. Trim faded flowers.

Replanting cyclamen

How to transplant cyclamen

Cyclamen is replanted into a new substrate about once every two years if the pot has become too small for the bulb. This should be done at the end of the dormant period before the start of active growing season.

But remember that cyclamen does not need a spacious pot; it blooms well only in a cramped one, when the layer of earth from the bulb to the wall of the pot is no thicker than 2-3 cm. For example, for a bulb 1-1.5 years old, a pot with a diameter of 7-8 cm is suitable , and for a two to three year old bulb – with a diameter of 14-15 cm.

IN new pot Place expanded clay for drainage, a layer of fresh substrate, then the bulb along with an earthen lump and roots and add enough substrate so that the tuber is two-thirds immersed in it. Compact the soil well. The transplanted cyclamen will need fertilizer no earlier than in a month.

In the photo: Cyclamen flowering

Replanting cyclamen after purchase

After purchase, cyclamen is replanted only if it is in a dormant period, which in itself is strange - who buys a bulb buried in the soil? If you bought a flowering cyclamen, wait for it to bloom and rest, and then, at the very beginning of the growing season, if the bulb is cramped or you want to change the technical plastic pot to a beautiful one, replant the cyclamen in the manner described. Or, if the plant is doing well in an old pot, it is better to place the ugly pot of cyclamen in a beautiful planter.

Pests and diseases of cyclamen

Enemies of cyclamen

If you follow the rules for caring for cyclamen, neither insects nor viral or bacterial diseases threaten your flower, but improper care of cyclamen at home can lead to rotting of the bulb due to chronic waterlogging of the soil or to the appearance of spider mites due to insufficient watering. Correct your mistakes as quickly as possible and do not make them again, and then neither the cyclamen nor you will have problems with it.

Cyclamen turns yellow

If you follow the rules for watering the plant, but the cyclamen flower still turns yellow, it means it may simply be too hot. Spray it as often as possible and, if possible, find a cooler place for it, otherwise the cyclamen flowers may begin to dry out from the heat.

If the leaves begin to turn yellow after the cyclamen has bloomed, it means that it is simply preparing for a dormant period, and your concern is in vain.

In the photo: Blooming cyclamens in open ground

Cyclamen does not bloom

If the cyclamen receives little moisture when watering or if you do not take care of the required level of indoor air humidity, you are unlikely to see the cyclamen bloom. Cyclamen does not bloom in too warm a room, especially if it is not used to such a temperature. Sometimes, over time, the plant gets used to high temperature in the home and, if all other conditions are met, the cyclamen eventually begins to bloom.

Cyclamen after flowering

When flowering ends, the leaves of the cyclamen gradually turn yellow, indicating that it is preparing for a period of dormancy. Yellow leaves It is better to remove, but not cut, but twist until they separate from the bulb. Watering is gradually reduced and the tuber resting in the ground is watered only occasionally, moving the plant to a shaded place until the cyclamen again shows signs of life.

Types of cyclamen

Mainly two types of cyclamen are grown in culture - Persian and European, as well as their derivatives.

European cyclamen, or alpine violet

This is a tuberous plant with medium-sized leaves and fragrant pink-lilac flowers, but it has varieties of white, carmine and other colors. In culture since 1607. European cyclamen is much more tolerant of normal home temperatures than other species, but also prefers cool air to stuffiness. This species does not have a pronounced dormant period; in addition, its tubers sometimes grow daughter bulbs that can be used for propagation. European cyclamen blooms from late spring until almost winter; it feels great in the summer on the balcony or in the garden, but under mandatory protection from sunlight and from penetration of slugs and earthworms into the pot, for which purpose the pot is covered with an ordinary nylon stocking.

In the photo: European cyclamen, or alpine violet

Persian cyclamen, or dryweed

It is more popular in culture than all other species due to the incredible beauty of its flowers, which, when they bloom, seem to turn inside out and grow with their petals down until the plant sheds them without any traces of wilting. The color of the flowers is pink, dark purple, lilac, white, hot pink, and in most cases the flower throat is a different shade. The leaves of the Persian cyclamen are larger and more beautiful than the European ones; they are not inferior to the decorative flowers. Recently they have become very popular dwarf varieties Persian cyclamen, which are much better tolerated room temperature than instances large varieties. Persian cyclamen blooms from late autumn to early spring, and then there is a 9-month dormant period. In culture since 1731.

After this article they usually read

Cyclamen is very popular because of its bright, unique flowering in winter period. It blooms its beautiful delicate flowers when it snows outside and is very cold. It is a fairly compact plant with gorgeous large green leaves with silver tints. However, growing large and healthy cyclamen at home is not so easy.

This does not mean that the flower is so capricious that only professional flower growers can care for it. This is a deep misconception! With good proper care, you will get yourself a constantly blooming beautiful flower for the winter. There are varieties of cyclamen that can bloom every season.

Cyclamen is considered a perennial plant and is distributed in areas such as Spain, northern Africa, the Mediterranean, etc. Extracts of this flower are present in many medicines, they are very useful and are used to treat a disease such as sinusitis.

The plant reproduces mainly by tubers. At home, two main types of this flower are usually considered popular: Persian and European.

In Russia, the first type is most often found. The flowers of this plant are very colorful and bright.

There are cyclamens that are soft pink, almost scarlet, dark purple and even multicolored. The main flowering period of cyclamen lasts from the beginning of October and ends by the end of March.

The Persian variety of the plant has a large tuber round shape, which rises above the ground. The leaves of this variety are large, fleshy, have a bright or, on the contrary, faded, even pastel color.

The European variety, which is also valued in Russia, has another name: alpine violet. This species differs from the Persian one in that the flowers have European cyclamen smaller, grow up to 4 centimeters in diameter and smell very pleasant. This variety has lateral tubers that grow very quickly, which means that the flower, like the flower, can be propagated quite easily.

Do you want to buy this beautiful flower? Then pay attention to the flower before purchasing. First, carefully examine the entire flower from top to bottom. The leaves on it should not hang, they should be raised, and they should be elastic and dense to the touch.

In the Persian type of cyclamen, the tubers are located on the surface of the ground and should not be wrinkled or dry. It is best to buy yourself a “blooming friend” during the period when it pleases everyone with its unsurpassed flowering.

This means that it is best to make a purchase in early October or November. Buy a flower with still closed buds and the flower will delight you with its wonderful color more than once.

Cyclamen - care and reproduction

The plant should be placed where there is a lot of bright color. But avoid direct exposure of leaves and flowers to bright sunlight. It is best if the light is soft and diffused, otherwise sunburn may appear on the plant.

For cyclamen, windows and loggias that will face the north side of the house are better suited.

First of all, you need to take care of its proper watering. This plant loves water very much, so it needs to be watered well and quite often. During the period when the cyclamen is gaining color and is ready to open its buds, water it more often and more abundantly, then it will delight you with its flowers even longer.

An ordinary cyclamen, which blooms throughout the year, needs to be watered usually, without flooding, but also without letting the flower dry out. You need to water the plant with pre-prepared, settled water.

Water it evenly, carefully, and most importantly, regularly. Do not pour water on the buds and blossoming flowers themselves, this can disrupt flowering and harm the “well-being” of your green pet.

You can water the plant either from a watering can or using a special immersion method. This special technique consists in placing almost the entire pot in a bowl of water (settled in advance). And then just watch the plant.

As soon as the soil in the pot begins to become moist and glistens in the light, it is time to remove the drunken cyclamen from the water. Now let the plant sit, the excess liquid will drain from it, then you can return it to its place.

Of course, this is not all the features of caring for this miracle flower. Also monitor the air humidity in the room where the cyclamen “lives”. If you are growing a plant at home, try to spray the air around the flower with a spray bottle more often. Before you start humidifying the air, make sure that moisture does not get on the flowers themselves.

In general, this plant loves cool weather, so summer time Various diseases often appear on it. The best optimal temperature for cyclamen is no more than 16 degrees Celsius.

Cyclamen, like many other indoor plants that live, one might say, in artificial conditions, really needs additional feeding.

You can feed the flower 30 days after you first brought it to your home. And if you grew it from tubers yourself, then the first fertilizing is best done as soon as you notice the first sprouted shoots.

This process must be carried out exclusively on well-moistened soil and with the use of various mineral complexes.

They have bloomed a long time ago...or how to care for cyclamen after the flowering period.

After the plant has flowered, a new period begins for it - a dormant period. Without knowing this, inexperienced gardeners get rid of the flower, thinking that it is a “disposable plant”, unable to bloom annually.

After the plant has dropped its last flowers, prune the faded buds and cut off the old, dried leaves. This also reduces watering, but do not forget to still humidify the air.

In spring, the flower is arranged in a cool place damp place and for a short time they completely stop watering. This is the state the flower will remain in until about the end of the summer.

When replanting, the soil is completely replaced. At the same time, old dried roots are removed very carefully. Choose a “new house” for the plant very carefully. Diameter good pot should not be less than 15 centimeters.

The soil is prepared in advance, sifted, and moistened. When planting the flower itself in the ground, do not compact it too much, and handle the young roots very carefully.

Many inexperienced gardeners think that propagating cyclamen at home is almost impossible. Very much in vain! Regardless of the type of flower, you can carry out the propagation procedure of this plant yourself. And there are two main methods that you can easily learn at home:

Tubers;
sowing seeds.

The first named method is the most famous and probably the most productive. You can expect the first flowering after such propagation within six months. When propagated through seeds, you will be able to see the first flowers only after a year, or even more.

The most important condition for successful reproduction is right choice soil for planting a flower. Good soil, fertilized with minerals, useful compounds and mixtures, will be very useful for a young plant.

The soil for the plant should be moist and loose to the touch. It should contain peat, humus and many natural minerals.

If, to plant cyclamen, you use purchased soil, which usually contains all the necessary nutrients, then it is best to stir the entire mixture of soil with ordinary garden or vegetable soil, pre-steamed with boiling water.

Also add a little sand to the plant bud. This will help the cyclamen to quickly absorb water, and the soil will not be too dense. Place drainage at the very bottom of the pot where the cyclamen will grow; this will help the roots receive more oxygen and also help remove excess moisture.

Propagation using tubers is best done after the flower has stopped blooming. This usually falls in the spring. The tubers are carefully removed from the ground, and then with careful movements they are divided into several parts. The main thing is that each cut part has all its roots intact.

After you have removed the tubers, treat them to protect the flower activated carbon. Then dry it a little. When planting, try not to completely immerse the tubers in the ground. Let part of the tuber remain on the surface.

After planting is complete, be sure to water the plant a little; after a couple of weeks you can start fertilizing it. And in six to eighteen months, you will see beautiful, delicate and very fragrant flowers that will delight you for many more seasons.

If you water, fertilize and carefully monitor your beloved “pet” on time, it will repay you with beautiful annual blooms.

About diseases and pests of cyclamen

The plant may also become infected with the cyclamen mite. This disease causes the plant to begin to shed leaves abundantly, and if this does not happen, the leaves simply become limp and gray.

Among the countless varieties and hybrids of sweet peppers, there are those, such as the Ramiro pepper, whose popularity is literally worldwide. And if most vegetables on supermarket shelves are nameless, and it is almost impossible to find out about their variety, then the name of this pepper “Ramiro” will certainly be on the packaging. And, as my experience has shown, this pepper is worth letting other gardeners know about it. In connection with which this article was written.

Autumn is the most mushroom time. It is no longer hot, and heavy dew falls in the mornings. Since the earth is still warm, and foliage has already attacked from above, creating a completely special microclimate in the ground layer, the mushrooms are very comfortable. Mushroom pickers are also comfortable at this time, especially in the mornings when it is cooler. It's time for both to meet. And, if you haven’t introduced yourself to each other, get to know each other. In this article I will introduce you to exotic, little-known and not always edible mushrooms, similar to corals.

If you are a busy person, but at the same time not devoid of romance, if you have your own plot and are endowed with aesthetic taste, then explore the opportunity to purchase this wonderful ornamental shrub– karyopteris, or Nutwing. He is also “wing-hazel”, “blue fog” and “blue beard”. It truly fully combines unpretentiousness and beauty. Karyopteris reaches its peak of decorativeness in late summer and autumn. It is at this time that it blooms.

Pepper ajvar - vegetable caviar or thick vegetable sauce made from bell peppers with eggplants. The peppers for this recipe are baked for quite a long time, then they are also stewed. Add to ajvar onion, tomatoes, eggplants. To store eggs for the winter, they are sterilized. This Balkan recipe is not for those who like to make preparations quickly, undercooked and underbaked - not about ajvar. In general, we approach the matter in detail. For the sauce, we choose the ripest and meatiest vegetables on the market.

Despite the simple names (“sticky” or “indoor maple”) and the status of a modern substitute indoor hibiscus, abutilons are far from the simplest plants. They grow well, bloom profusely and delight with a healthy look of greenery only in optimal conditions. On thin leaves, any deviations from comfortable lighting or temperatures and disturbances in care. To reveal the beauty of abutilons in rooms, it is worth finding the ideal place for them.

Zucchini fritters with Parmesan and mushrooms - a delicious recipe with photos of available products. Ordinary zucchini pancakes can be easily turned into a non-boring dish by adding a few savory ingredients to the dough. During the squash season, pamper your family with vegetable pancakes with wild mushrooms; it is not only very tasty, but also filling. Zucchini is a universal vegetable, it is suitable for stuffing, for preparations, for main courses, and even for sweets. delicious recipes- compotes and jam are made from zucchini.

The idea of growing vegetables on the grass, under the grass and in the grass is scary at first, until you become imbued with the naturalness of the process: in nature, this is exactly how everything happens. With the obligatory participation of all soil living creatures: from bacteria and fungi to moles and toads. Each of them contributes. Traditional tillage with digging, loosening, fertilizing, and fighting all those we consider pests destroys the biocenoses that have been created over centuries. In addition, it requires a lot of labor and resources.

What to do instead of a lawn? So that all this beauty does not turn yellow, does not get sick and at the same time looks like a lawn... I hope that the smart and quick-witted reader is already smiling. After all, the answer suggests itself - if you do nothing, nothing will happen. Of course, there are several solutions that can be used, and with their help, you can reduce the area of the lawn, and therefore reduce the labor intensity of caring for it. I suggest you consider alternative options and discuss their pros and cons.

Tomato sauce with onions and sweet peppers - thick, aromatic, with pieces of vegetables. The sauce cooks quickly and is thick because this recipe contains pectin. Make such preparations at the end of summer or autumn, when the vegetables have ripened in the sun in the garden beds. Bright, red tomatoes will make equally bright homemade ketchup. This sauce is a ready-made dressing for spaghetti, and you can also simply spread it on bread - very tasty. For better preservation, you can add a little vinegar.

This year I often observed a picture: among the luxurious green crown of trees and shrubs, here and there, like candles, the bleached tops of shoots “burn.” This is chlorosis. Most of us know about chlorosis from school biology lessons. I remember that this is a lack of iron... But chlorosis is an ambiguous concept. And lightening of foliage does not always mean a lack of iron. What is chlorosis, what our plants lack during chlorosis and how to help them, we will tell you in the article.

Korean vegetables for the winter - delicious Korean salad with tomatoes and cucumbers. The salad is sweet and sour, spicy and slightly spicy because it is prepared with Korean carrot seasoning. Be sure to prepare a few jars for the winter; in cold winter, this healthy and aromatic snack will come in handy. You can use overripe cucumbers for the recipe; it is better to harvest vegetables in late summer or early autumn, when they are ripe in the open ground under the sun.

Autumn for me means dahlias. Mine begin to bloom as early as June, and all summer the neighbors peek at me over the fence, reminding them that I promised them a few tubers or seeds by the fall. In September, a tart note appears in the aroma of these flowers, hinting at the approaching cold. This means it’s time to start preparing the plants for the long, cold winter. In this article I will share my secrets autumn care for perennial dahlias and preparing them for winter storage.

To date, through the efforts of breeders, according to various sources, from seven to ten thousand (!) varieties of cultivated apple trees have been bred. But despite their enormous diversity, in private gardens, as a rule, only a couple of popular and beloved varieties grow. Apple trees are large trees with a spreading crown, and you cannot grow many of them in one area. What if you try to grow columnar varieties of this crop? In this article I will tell you exactly about these varieties of apple trees.

Pinjur - Balkan-style eggplant caviar with sweet peppers, onions and tomatoes. A distinctive feature of the dish is that the eggplants and peppers are first baked, then peeled and simmered for a long time in a roasting pan or in a thick-bottomed pan, adding the rest of the vegetables specified in the recipe. The caviar turns out to be very thick, with a bright, rich taste. In my opinion, this cooking method is the best known. Although it is more troublesome, the result compensates for the labor costs.

Cyclamen – herbaceous perennial with exotic fragrant flowers. In nature, they are found in countries with a mild, hot climate: the Mediterranean. Türkiye, Iran. The plant does well when grown in pots. Caring for cyclamen at home has its own specifics. Violation of maintenance rules leads to the death of flowers. Particular care is taken with purchased imported specimens, which find it difficult to adapt to new conditions.

Cyclamens: types and features

The cyclamen genus includes about 50 species, 20 of which are grown at home. The plant tuber is a round, flattened bulb with a growing point. Depending on the species, it grows up to 10-15 cm in diameter. Leaves are basal with long petioles. Their distinctive feature– gray or silver pattern with outside leaf plate. The flowers have elongated, strong peduncles. The petals are 2-3 cm long and slightly bent back. The color scheme is varied, it includes all shades of pink, red, lilac, white. The number of buds on one adult plant reaches 60 pieces.

Information. Cyclamen root juice is used to treat sinusitis.

There are two main types of cyclamen used for growing at home.

Persian cyclamen

The homeland of the Persian species is Asia Minor, northern Africa and the Mediterranean. The perennial is distinguished by its large diameter flowers and tall peduncles. The core-shaped leaves can reach 14 cm. They are dark green in color and covered with a marbled silver pattern. Breeders have created many varieties of Persian cyclamen. It gained such popularity due to its long flowering and magnificent decorative appearance.

The flowering period lasts from autumn to early spring. The height of the peduncles is 30 cm, they produce flowers with a diameter of 5 cm. The tips of the petals are pointed or fringed, bent back. Then the plant needs rest and rest. In May-June it sheds its leaves and freezes for several months. At this time, watering is reduced to a minimum. Withered peduncles and leaves are removed. In August, the plant is transplanted into a new pot and watered regularly. The tuber grows up to 15 cm, its root system is located in the lower part. When transplanting, the tuber is not completely buried; 1/3 should be above the soil surface. Reproduces only by seeds.

Alpine violet or European cyclamen

European type of cyclamen for its delicate smell and small bright flowers called alpine violet. IN natural conditions they are found in the center of Europe, Crimea, Italy. The tuber of an adult perennial has a diameter of 10 cm. The roots grow from its entire surface, therefore, unlike the Persian type, the tuber is buried completely in the ground. The basal leathery leaves on the outside along the edge are covered with a silvery pattern. Their back side and the petioles have a purple tint.

Thin, strong peduncles grow up to 15 cm, flower diameter is 2-3 cm. Flowering time occurs in the warm season - from spring to autumn. Range of colors from pink to purple. After flowering, a fruit is formed - a box with seeds. The plant is not demanding on living conditions. It does not shed its leaves for the winter and does not have a clear dormant period. Reproduction of European cyclamen is possible by dividing the tuber and seeds.

Plant care rules

In order for the plant to delight with a cap of bright flowers, it is necessary to provide it with comfortable conditions. How to care for cyclamen at home? Beginners in keeping this plant should pay attention to several main points:

priming;
room temperature;
watering;
lighting;
feeding

Secrets of watering

One of the first questions when purchasing a plant is how to properly water cyclamen. Incorrect agricultural technology - common reason plant death. It is recommended to water cyclamen through a tray. This method allows you to avoid moisture getting on the tuber and growing point. But it is worth considering the hardness of the water. A large amount of salts negatively affects the root system. Hard water must be left to stand for several days or filtered. When watering through a tray, the water is left to soak into the ground for an hour. Then the remaining liquid is drained. It is better to carry out the procedure in the morning; during the day the soil dries out slightly.

Advice. A solution of succinic acid (1 tablet per 1 liter of water) helps to dissolve and wash away excess salts from the soil. Use once a month. Instead of succinic acid, you can take aspirin.

It is permissible to water the plants from above; the moisture flows carefully along the edge of the pot. Cyclamen loves cool weather, so some gardeners replace watering with ice cubes or snow. This procedure is desirable in the summer heat. The recommended water temperature for irrigation is 2-3° lower than the room temperature.

Choosing a pot and soil

The substrate for planting the plant can be purchased at the store. Suitable universal soil for flowers, soil for violets or geraniums. Adding sand and perlite will help make it looser and more moisture-absorbing. The soil for cyclamen should be slightly acidic or neutral. You can cook it yourself. Required:

leaf soil - 3 parts;
humus – 1 part;
peat – 1 part;
sand - 1 part.

The soil taken for the mixture on the street must be disinfected - heated in the microwave or spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate. There must be drainage at the bottom of the pot. Expanded clay, small pebbles, and gravel are used as materials. And foam balls, which are recommended for other indoor plants, are not suitable in this case.

For cyclamen, plastic and ceramic pots with drainage holes are used. It is better to choose a design designed for bottom watering. You should not look for a large container; for adult plants the optimal diameter is 14-15 cm, and for young plants it should be smaller. You should choose a pot for cyclamen according to the dimensions of its tuber. There should be 2-3 cm from the edge of the bulb to the edge of the pot. In this case indoor flower It develops correctly and blooms on time. Large capacity provokes high humidity and root rotting.

All types of cyclamen love coolness, comfortable temperature V summer period 18-22°, and in winter – 12-14°. Increased temperatures should be avoided, especially for purchased plants. Otherwise, they may go into a dormant state. Flowers need diffused light; direct rays are destructive. The room must be ventilated frequently, but cyclamens should not be exposed to drafts.

West and east sides are recommended for placing flowers. They love humidity; if the air is too dry, the leaves are carefully sprayed. But with the appearance of buds, they switch to another way to increase humidity. The pot is placed in a tray with wet moss or expanded clay. For feeding, liquid complex fertilizers are recommended, which are applied along with watering. The plant needs additional nutrition during the period of active growing season and bud formation.

Attention. For cyclamens, use half the dosage recommended by fertilizer manufacturers.

The frequency of fertilizing is once every two to four weeks. When choosing a drug, you should pay attention to the nitrogen content. Bulbous plants are contraindicated in excess amounts of this element. The cyclamen flower does not need special care after flowering. It is enough to remove the dried peduncles and leaves, and place the tuber in dark place. Watering is very rare, fertilizing is excluded.

Reproduction methods

All types of cyclamens reproduce by seeds. They can be bought or grown at home. Flowering cyclamens are pollinated with a brush and wait for the seed capsule to ripen. The European species can be propagated by dividing the tuber.

Tuber division

The cyclamen tuber is dried before division. When cutting into pieces, make sure that there is a root and a bud with leaves everywhere. There is no need to make many parts. The sections are treated with brilliant green or activated carbon, then allowed time to dry (2-3 days). The parts are planted in wet soil. For germination, place the pot in a bright place and provide regular watering. The survival rate is not 100%, some may rot.

Growing from seeds

Before planting in the ground, I soak the seeds for a day in a solution of water and Zircon (4 drops per 0.5 liters of water). To grow seedlings, light, loose soil is taken, consisting in equal parts of peat, leaf soil, vermiculite and sand. A container with holes in the bottom is taken under the soil. A layer of expanded clay 2-3 cm high is poured into it. Prepared soil (6-7 cm) is poured on top. The soil is generously moistened. The seeds are laid out on the surface two cm from each other and sprinkled with a small layer of soil. The container is covered with polyethylene to create constant temperature and humidity.

The container is placed in a dark, cool place. The wait for germination takes 1-3 months. During this period, the soil must be watered and ventilated. The first to appear on the surface is a pinkish-purple nodule. When two leaves grow, the seedlings are planted and placed in separate pots. After 1-2 weeks, they are fed with complex fertilizer (reducing the concentration by 2 times). You will have to wait more than a year for cyclamens to bloom. But plants grown at home will be hardier and healthier than purchased ones.

Pitfalls of purchased cyclamen

Store-bought cyclamen is handled with care. Before entering the house, the plant experienced several stresses due to transplantation and a change in the usual climate. The conditions of its maintenance in the greenhouse differ from those at home. The flower needs to be helped to get used to its new life. Replanting cyclamen after purchase is recommended after 1-2 months. Vigorous peduncles and leaves may wilt after a day in the apartment. Don't rush to water or feed them.

The plant adapts to the new temperature and humidity. Choose a cool but bright place for it. Check the degree of moisture in the earthen ball with a dry stick. If necessary, water through the drip pan. Fertilizers will not be needed for several months. The fact is that store-bought specimens are overfed for abundant flowering. Spraying water with Zircon will help the leaves recover. This is a universal growth regulator that increases disease resistance and root formation activity.

When is a transplant necessary?

Often indoor flowers are sold in transport soil, not intended for long-term use. It is poor in nutrients, but nourished big amount fertilizers This supports the plant for a certain time, and then it begins to turn yellow and wither. Replanting from such soil is desirable before the end of the adaptation period. It is necessary to change the soil in the following situations:

noticed pests in the ground;
low quality substrate;
rotting of plant roots.

Transplanting flowers

Planned replanting of cyclamen at home occurs every 2-3 years. The time depends on the type of plant - European ones are replanted in the spring, and Persian ones in the fall. This is the period before the start of active growing season. The procedure is performed using the transshipment method. The plant is placed in a new pot with a lump of earth entwined with roots. Just add the required amount of soil into a larger container. Don't forget about the drainage layer.

When replanting purchased flowers, it is recommended to thoroughly clean the roots of old soil. An earthen mixture is poured into a new pot for bulbous plants(“Tulip”, “Florin”). The soil should be slightly acidic. For a young cyclamen, a pot with a diameter of 7-8 cm is enough, for an older one (3-5 years old) - 14-15 cm.

When planting, the tuber of the European cyclamen is completely covered with soil, and the Persian one is only 2/3 covered. In a high-quality substrate, fertilizing will not be required for 1-2 months.

Cyclamen problems

The main problem that worries gardeners is why cyclamen does not bloom at home. There may be several reasons:

high room temperature, at 25-28° the plant does not set buds;
flaw mineral fertilizers or excess nitrogen in the soil;
waterlogging or dry soil;
the pot is too large in diameter;
lack of lighting;
plant diseases (rot, cyclamen mite).

Diseases and pests

One of the most common plant pests is the cyclamen mite. They appear when there is excess moisture. Under the influence of the pest, the leaves curl and dry out. Spraying with the drug "Aktara" helps to destroy the tick. Violations of agricultural practices lead to the appearance of gray rot on the petioles and leaves. Its main symptom is gray plaque. This is a fungal infection that is treated with fungicides. Replanting into new soil will be required.

With proper care, cyclamen pleases with its beautiful leaves and flowers up to 20 years.