Greenhouse Gardening – cyclamen

Cyclamen is a small but diverse genus of plants in which almost all species are hardy, although Cyclamen persicum is often seen for sale throughout the winter as a houseplant. This plant has sweet scented small flowers that are produced on long stems, held upright above the foliage. It is a tuberous perennial with heart shaped leaves, often having silver marbling on the top side. The entire plant, when in flower, reaches only about eight inches tall. It is a native of the Mediterranean and North Africa which means it will not survive a harsh winter outside, although in a mild year, grown outside, it will bloom in late winter or early spring. Greenhouse cyclamen are usually forced into bloom sometime around the holiday season into late winter.

To grow this plant in the greenhouse is easy, and forcing them for Christmas or early spring flowering is also straightforward. It does best in when planted in a soil-based potting mix, with the top of the tuber just slightly above the soil line.

Watering is an important aspect to managing this plant successfully. When it is in leaf water only when the soil is dry. Avoid getting water on the crown of the plant as this can cause it to rot. In the wild, the plant grows under trees which means they are protected from overhead watering, and you need to try and keep to this system in the greenhouse.
As the flowers begin to fade, gradually allow the plant to dry out – they can go without water quite comfortably for two to three months.
When new growth appears, resume watering and feeding. Place in a partially shaded spot outdoors for the summer. Bring it back indoors before the cold weather.

Greenhouse gardening cyclamen photograph by tankawho, used under a creative commons attribution licence