Cyclamen are part of the Primrose family. They are tuberous plants and have no obvious visual links to the Primroses, although they are similar to Dodecatheon in having reflexed petals. The Cyclamen family is wide ranging, with many garden hardy types. It is possible to have various hardy cyclamen in flower for every month of the year.
For indoor strains, we look to the group of cultivars based upon Cyclamenus persicum - generally winter and spring flowering plants which are available as indoor plants in a wide range of colours. As well as the vivid flower colour, there are many foliage variations, ranging from pewter through to bronze.
Flowering Period Cyclamen are normally sold during the Christmas season and beyond into the winter. Most will bloom from mid-November until mid February, provided conditions are right
Light Cyclamen prefer bright indirect light. An east window is ideal
The range of colours available in indoor cyclamen
Temperature Cool temperatures are preferred with an ideal daytime temperature of 60 to 65F and night temperatures around 50 deg F. Do not place them near radiators or other heat sources within the home.
Watering & Humidity Plants prefer to be kept moist. Water very carefully at soil level but keep moisture away from the area on the tuber where the leaf and flower stems grow. If that gets wet, the plant may rot. It is safer to water from the bottom, but do not keep the plant stood in a saucer of water Most are planted in a peat moss soil that dries quickly.
Red Spider mite can be a problem which affects the leaves but weakens the whole plant. Mealy bugs can also find a place in the corms just as they start to be bought back to life. Vine Weevil Maggots can attack the root system with plants that are kept in the same pot for a number of years.
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