Be sure to visit the beautifully decorated John A. Sibley Horticultural Center during the holiday season. A spectacular display of Poinsettias and many other blooming plants will catch your eye.
One of these other holiday treasures is the florist Cyclamen, a member of the primrose family Cyclamen persicum. An interesting plant whose petals sweep up like butterfly wings. Cyclamen is a favorite for holiday gift-giving. These dazzling plants are actually tubers, having pink, white, or reddish-colored flowers alongside dark green, mottled, heart-shaped leaves.
Keep Cyclamen blooming until mid-spring by following a few simple steps:
1. Place plant in a cool , sunny spot in your house. It does not tolerate heat well.
2. Water your plant (from the top) when it begins to dry, being careful not to water the top of the tuber. If the tuber is allowed to stay wet, it will rot. You may also water from the base of the plant, but be sure not to let it sit in a tray of water all the time. Good drainage is a must!
3. Every time you water, give your plant a half turn to prevent it from leaning in one direction toward the light. This allows all of the foliage to receive the maximum amount of available light.
4. Remove spent blooms and leaves. Any dead plant material left on a plant is a host for insects and diseases.
After the plant has finished blooming and the leaves begin to die, don't throw the plant away. Your Cyclamen is only resting, or going dormant, and with a little care you can probably get your plant to bloom again the following year. As your plant begins to go into dormancy gradually cut back watering, keeping the plant where the tuber will still receive some sunlight. Do not let the soil stay wet during this period, just moist.
Toward the end of summer flower buds and new leaves will start to appear on the top of the tuber; at this time you may need to start watering a bit more.
Remember, Cyclamen is a cool-weather plant and should be protected from any late summer heat.
Happy Gardening!
Bloomin Garden Centre & Landscaping
8793 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati OH 45242
Garden Store: 513-891-9035
Landscaping: 513-984-TREE
Fax: 513-891-9276
© MCMXCIX, Bloomin Garden Centre, All rights Reserved
