The florist’s cyclamen has bloomed in our California garden for 20 years.
At times, they are difficult to grow indoors, yet we have two garden beds—one under a tree and the other on the north side of a garage, which is as unfailing as the season each year.
Winter And Spring Bloom
Our plants bloom for four months during the late winter and early spring.
During this period, temperatures may fall to as low as 15° degrees Fahrenheit, but the plants always carry through.
Booming starts at temperatures varying from 37° to 47° degrees Fahrenheit at night and an afternoon high of 45° to 55°, perhaps 60° degrees Fahrenheit.
Soil Mixture
I use soil from a compost pile to which is added 1/2 cupful of bone meal per gallon and, if the soil is heavy, a cupful of sand.
The mixture should be rich, porous, and slightly acidic. Leaf Mold, peat moss, or cow manure can be used as substitutes.
Increase Cyclamen By Seed
The only way plants increase by seed is usually sown from August through October. However, seeds may also be sown monthly to provide a succession of blooms throughout the year.
I use the same soil mixture for the seed, which may be sown in pots or directly into flats 1/4 inch deep and 2″ inches apart each way.
Feed Liquid Fertilizer
In May, we give the flowering plants a feeding of liquid fertilizer – a level tablespoonful of good garden fertilizer per gallon of water. This helps build up the corm for next season’s flowers.
Growing Cycle Ends In June
The growing cycle generally ends in June when the corms are gradually dried off. The corms may then be taken up and sorted, but we leave them in the beds as we have no summer rain.
In September or October, a few corms will show sprouting eyes; then we reset them about 8” inches apart.
44659 by George A. Furniss