Soil for planting cyclamen from seeds. Growing cyclamen from seeds at home

I decided to grow cyclamen from seeds after another flower I bought did not survive summer period peace. And I wasn’t the only one who faced this problem. Other flower growers also complained about this state of affairs. The fact is that cyclamen grown in greenhouse conditions finds it difficult to adapt to the home environment that is normal for us. Conversely, cyclamen, which initially grew in an ordinary city apartment or private house, from birth was accustomed to sometimes too dry air and high temperatures in the summer, and therefore should not die. So, how to grow cyclamen from seeds? How to plant seeds? Conditions for germination and subsequent care of seedlings. Personal, mostly successful experience and photo instructions.

Cyclamen: growing from seeds

How to grow cyclamen from seeds? I’ll say right away that for this you need a greenhouse, loose soil, a temperature no higher than +20 degrees and constant air humidity. But first things first. Before I started planting seeds, I read the opinions of experts on authoritative forums. This is what I gleaned from the information I read. Firstly, you need to germinate cyclamen seeds at a temperature of +17...+18 degrees. Secondly, young seedlings must grow and develop at the same temperature. Thirdly, the plants need to be provided with regular watering, but the soil in the greenhouse should not become waterlogged.

But this immediately begs a few questions. First, will an ordinary gardener be able to constantly monitor the temperature of seed germination and keep it within the required limits? The second question is, what will happen if cyclamen seeds are germinated at normal room temperature? The third question is that the temperature of seedling development should also be within +17...+18 degrees, but this cannot be achieved in an ordinary city apartment, especially in the summer. How will summer affect heat for seedlings?

With a great desire to test everything in practice and with an even greater desire to grow cyclamen from seeds, I went to a flower shop and bought four identical bags of seeds there. Persian cyclamen.

In the photo you can see that the cyclamen seeds are quite large (slightly larger than a match head) and covered with a dense skin. That is why it is recommended to soak them in water before planting. room temperature. I soaked the seed in a root solution at room temperature for 1 hour. As I have already written in many of my articles, I do not completely cover any seeds with water, but only up to half, so that the seed embryo does not suffocate. The seeds are periodically mixed so that the dense shell is evenly moistened.

When to sow cyclamen seeds? Experts recommend planting cyclamen seeds in February-March. By the time the seed sprouts, the daylight hours will be sufficient for the successful development of seedlings. I sowed cyclamen seeds on March 7th.

How to plant cyclamen seeds? Planting cyclamen seeds followed the standard scheme. I took two identical greenhouses, which I cut out of ordinary plastic bottles. Similar option This is not the first time I have used greenhouses and have never regretted them. I poured soil there for the flowering ones, indoor flowers, lightly compacted it, moistened it with a spray bottle. By flat surface I spread the cyclamen seeds in the soil. In the photo you can see that I laid out 10 of them in each greenhouse. I did not cover the seeds with soil to make it easier to monitor their germination. Many forums say that cyclamen seeds need to be germinated in the dark. But this is not a necessary condition.

How to grow cyclamen from seeds? For successful cultivation cyclamen from seeds and obtaining healthy shoots you need: bright, diffuse light, moderate air humidity (achieved only in a greenhouse) and temperature. The forums say that the temperature should be within +17...+18 degrees. As the temperature rises, cyclamen seeds fall into suspended animation (in other words, hibernation) and do not germinate for a long time. So, at a temperature of +17...+18 degrees, the seed germinates in 3-4 weeks. At +20 degrees after 8 weeks. At temperatures above +20 degrees, seedlings can wait up to 4 months.

An experiment on growing cyclamen from seeds at home

I decided to test in practice how temperature affects the germination of cyclamen. That is why I bought four bags of seeds with the same packaging date. That is, the date of packaging (freshness seed material) should not affect its germination in any way. The landing followed the same pattern. The greenhouses are the same, the soil and its humidity, lighting are similar. Only the temperature was different. So, I placed one greenhouse on the windowsill, where the temperature fluctuates between +17...+22 degrees. The temperature for the second greenhouse was kept within strict limits of +17...+18 degrees.

Sowing of cyclamen seeds took place on March 7. The results of the experiment surprised me somewhat. So, the seed, which was germinated at a temperature of +17...+18 degrees, hatched on March 21, that is, 14 days after sowing. The seeds, which were kept at a temperature of +17...+22 degrees, sprouted on March 29, that is, 22 days after planting.

Based on the data obtained, we can conclude: favorable temperature regime for growing cyclamen from seeds it is +17...+18 degrees. Minor temperature deviations from the set regime (+17...+22 degrees) affect the germination of seed, but not significantly. So, my fellow flower growers, don’t worry too much about the temperature of seed germination. The main thing is not to raise it above +22 degrees.

How to grow cyclamen seedlings?

So, my cyclamens from seeds have hatched. What to do next? Based on my experience, I want to say that you need to wait until the cyclamen straightens its only leaf. A sprout first emerges from the achene. It develops a root system, a tuber and just one leaf. The cyclamen leaf remains under the dense shell of the seed for some time. You cannot clean the greenhouse until the leaf sheds this shell. Let me remind you that it is very dense. In a humid greenhouse, the seed coat softens. If you remove the greenhouse, the shell will room humidity air will harden, it will be difficult for the leaf to get rid of it. If you try to remove it yourself, you can damage the leaf and the plant will not fully develop without it.

You cannot remove the greenhouse until the cyclamen leaves shed their seed coat.

How to care for cyclamen seedlings? The seedlings continue to develop in the greenhouse, where there is moderate air and soil humidity. Watering is carried out as needed. But since cyclamen seedlings grow in a greenhouse, I don’t water the soil often. The soil must not be allowed to dry out completely. Overmoistening of the soil leads to rotting of the tuber and the plant dies. I ventilated the greenhouse 2 times a day. My cyclamen stood on the window on the east side of the apartment, where the sun shines from morning until 15:00. I didn't feed it. The first time I applied fertilizer, when I removed the greenhouse, the cyclamens completely straightened their leaves. This happened on the middle of May 10, that is, almost 2 months after planting the seeds.

After the cyclamen forms a tuber and spreads the first leaf, it stops growing. But only its above-ground part stops growing. Over the next 1-2 months, the seedling grows root system. Since the walls of my greenhouse are transparent, I could watch how the roots of my cyclamen plants gradually filled all the soil offered to them. And so on June 27, I decided to pick seedlings. It seemed to me that my plants were already cramped in the greenhouse.

Picking cyclamen seedlings

Picking cyclamen seedlings was carried out according to the following scheme: soil for flowering plants (loose, light, nutritious, neutral pH), opaque plastic cups 200 ml each. Two days before the picking, I watered the cyclamens well.

So, we take a regular 200 ml plastic cup and make a hole in its bottom drainage hole. Next, pour soil there and water it. First we make a small depression in the soil, where the plants will subsequently be transferred.

Next, using a spatula (I make it from thick plastic, cut out a small square and bend it in half), I carefully remove one cyclamen from the common greenhouse. You need to remove a young seedling as quickly as possible. big amount soil around the roots. Cyclamen may have a small tuber, but the root system is quite developed. If you violate the latter, the flower will hurt for a long time.

Important note!!! When replanting cyclamen, you need to remember that if the tuber is too deep, the plant will die. Tubers in wet soil may rot. Correct solution when picking cyclamen seedlings: leave the tuber in the new pot at the same level at which it developed in the greenhouse.

Picking cyclamen seedlings was carried out in the summer, and therefore I decided to give my flowers the opportunity to breathe fresh air and took them out onto the balcony. It is located on the western side of the house, there is direct sun only in the afternoon. I solved this problem by shading. After transplanting, I waited until the soil dried out a little and only after that I watered the seedlings for the first time. Subsequently, watering was carried out after the top layer of soil had dried to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Until mid-June, cyclamen seedlings grew at a temperature of +27 during the day and up to +20 at night.

In July, the temperature rose to +32 degrees during the day, and at night to +25 degrees, and I moved my cyclamen to the apartment on the western windows. Before lunch there was artificial lighting, after - diffused sunlight. Feed once a week with half the concentration of complex, liquid fertilizers. Spray once a day. But my plants did not like the high temperature and went to rest. The cyclamen leaves turned yellow and withered, but at the same time the tuber remained elastic. I left the cups with flowers under the phytolamp. Watering was carried out after the soil had dried thoroughly.

This went on for almost two months. But in the middle of September, when the temperature in the apartment dropped to +20...+22 degrees, which is comfortable for cyclamen, a miracle happened and my seedlings woke up. Each tuber began to produce two or even four leaves. I resumed watering, although now it was less than in the summer. Fertilizing is applied once every two weeks and lighting is required from morning (7.00 am) until evening (20.00).

Cyclamen – herbaceous perennial from the Mirsinov family. The plant comes from warm regions: East Africa, Turkey, Iran, the Mediterranean. There he can be found in natural conditions, V temperate latitudes the flower has become decorative indoor plant. Among the many varieties bred by breeders, Persian and European cyclamen are the most widespread. Vitality The tuber gives the flower. The perennial leaves are dark green with a white or silver pattern. Their lower parts are red-violet. The main decoration of the plant is the magnificent buds on long peduncles.

European cyclamen

The shape of the flowers resembles exotic butterflies; their colors can be white, pink, purple and many other shades. The perennial blooms in autumn and blooms all winter, creating a special mood in the apartment. The flower is unpretentious in care, loves coolness and diffused light. Even a novice gardener can grow cyclamen from seeds at home. The seed material has good germination, and professional advice planting and care will add confidence in their abilities.

Reproduction methods

Owners of an adult plant are wondering how to propagate cyclamen at home? You can do this in several ways:

• dividing the tuber;
• daughter processes;
• seeds.

In the first case, the onion is cut in half and each part is planted in the substrate. The tuber is divided in August, when the dormant stage ends. Each piece must have a bud and a root system. The cut is lubricated with brilliant green. The tubers are buried 2/3, the initial watering is carried out from the pan. If you lack experience, it is better to abandon this method.

Propagation by tubers

Daughter shoots (rosettes) appear on tubers European varieties. To reproduce, they are torn off and planted in moist, light soil. The wounds on the mother bulb are sprinkled with crushed charcoal. The young rosette is covered with a jar or plastic bottle. In greenhouse conditions it will take root more quickly. Persian cyclamen does not produce daughter shoots; it is propagated by tubers or seeds.

The most common option for propagating a flower is to grow a seed pod and collect the ripened grains. Seedlings from our own planting material grow and develop faster, but to increase the number of cyclamen varieties you will have to buy seeds in the store. Their germination rate is quite high, 80-100%. The stores have a huge selection of selected varieties of Persian and European cyclamen.

Where can I get the seeds?

The easiest way is to buy seeds in a store. There is a huge range of cyclamens on sale. all sorts of varieties and colors. This option is optimal for beginner gardeners or for those who want to expand their collection of indoor flowers. If there are any at home mature plant, then the seeds can be collected from it. In order for the propagation of cyclamen at home to be successful, the flowers must be pollinated. There are no flying insects or wind in the apartment, so you will have to transfer the pollen yourself.

Seeds from a ripe cyclamen capsule

Pollination

During the flowering period (December-February), each bud is carefully struck with a finger every morning for a week. Ripe pollen envelops the plant in a cloud and falls on neighboring flowers. Another method requires the use of a brush. A small diameter watercolor brush with soft bristles will do. It is necessary to go over all the flowers, applying pollen to the pistil. This is called cross pollination. Performing the procedure multiple times increases the chances of fertilization. You'll know the results pretty soon. When pollination is successful, the flower sheds its petals, then bends over under the weight of the fruit.

Pollination of cyclamen

The seed capsule ripens in late spring. The readiness of the fruit is determined by yellow color, drying out and cracking of the shell. Do not wait until the box is completely opened, otherwise the seeds will fall to the ground. It is torn off a little earlier and left until completely dry. Small brown cyclamen seeds are poured out of the box and collected in a paper bag. Information about the collection time is written on it. The material is stored in the refrigerator until autumn.

Information. After a year of storage, the similarity of the seeds does not change. After two years, it decreases by 10%, but the sprouted seedlings grow into cyclamens with abundant flowering.

Preparing for landing

The most favorable period for growing cyclamen from seeds is considered to be the beginning of spring, but they are also planted at other times. The collected seed material should be sorted - separate viable grains from empty shells. To do this you will need:

• glass of water;
• tsp Sahara.

Sugar is dissolved in a glass of water, then cyclamen seeds are poured. After 5 minutes, the husk will float on the surface, and the grains will remain at the bottom.

A package of purchased material usually contains only 3 seeds, less often – 5. The products of the Gavrish company are popular. They offer hundreds various types cyclamen. The cost depends on the variety, prices range from 40 to 200 rubles.
Seeds from the company "Gavrish"

For good germination of seedlings, you must first soak the seeds for a day. They are laid on cotton pad, abundantly moistened with water. If necessary, add liquid.

Advice. Soak the seeds not in water, but in the Zircon solution. It is enough to add 4 drops of growth stimulator per 0.5 liter of liquid. The drug accelerates the development of plants, improves their immunity and adaptation to the environment.

Planting seed material in the ground

Swollen cyclamen seeds are planted in a container for growing seedlings. There should be holes at the bottom of the container through which excess water will drain. A special substrate is prepared for seedlings:

• leaf soil;
• peat;
• vermiculite or perlite.

Attention. If the soil is collected from a forest, park or plot, it must be disinfected - doused with boiling water and calcined in the oven.

Drainage made of expanded clay or foam balls is poured into the bottom of the container. The height of the layer is 2-2.5 cm, it will prevent rotting of the bark system of the seedlings. The prepared soil is poured to a depth of 6-7 cm. The substrate is watered generously until the excess flows out of the holes. Wet seeds are laid out on the surface, the distance between them is 2-3 cm. Soil is poured on top in a layer of 0.5-1 cm. The soil is moistened with a spray bottle. The container with seeds is covered with glass or plastic film to create greenhouse conditions - constant temperature and humidity.

Place the container in a cool, dark place. There should be no drafts or sudden temperature changes. You will have to wait at least 1 month for seedlings; in some cases, seedlings appear after 2-3 months. It is recommended to keep the container or other container in a room with a temperature no higher than +18°C. In warm weather, seed germination is delayed. The soil is watered periodically, but excessive moisture should not be allowed. Once every two days the greenhouse is opened and ventilated.

A sprout loop appeared in the cups

Seedling care

A month later, the first pinkish-violet loops appear on the surface. This is a cyclamen tuber with a root. It appears before the leaves. The container must be moved to a place with good lighting. Particles of the seed coat remain at the top of the sprouts. If there is sufficient moisture, they will fall off on their own. If the scale interferes with the leaf, you can wrap it in damp cotton wool for several hours. After this procedure it will disappear.

The first cyclamen nodules

After 2-4 leaves appear, you can replant the plants in separate containers. Typically 100 ml plastic cups are used. This volume is optimal for growing cyclamen seedlings. Holes are made at the bottom of the cup for drainage. Further cultivation cyclamen planted by seed occurs in soil with the same composition as that used in the container. The cup is filled with soil up to half the volume, then the sprout with a nodule is placed and covered with soil. The surface is carefully crushed, trying not to damage the fragile seedling. The top soil is watered abundantly.

Plants with 2-4 leaves are planted in cups

If the flowers grow slightly in three months, don't worry. During this period, they intensively build up the root system. You can verify this by looking through the transparent walls of the glass. Grown-up cyclamens can be transplanted into pots with a diameter of 5-6 cm. Purchased universal soil for flowering plants is suitable. There should be a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot, occupying ¼ of the volume. The nodule should not be completely buried in the soil; a third of it should be on the surface. It is recommended to water through a tray. This will prevent the tuber from rotting.

The first feeding is performed at the age of six months. A complex mineral fertilizer is used, the concentration of the solution is halved.

Rules for caring for cyclamen

A seedling older than 6 months switches to the conditions of keeping an adult plant. In order for it to grow well and please you with the first flowers in a year, you must follow the following rules:

1. Perennial loves coolness: in summer optimal temperature– 18-20°, in winter – 14-16°. Higher temperatures reduce flowering time.
2. It is recommended to use bottom watering, when the pot is immersed in water for 15-20 minutes. Top watering is carried out carefully, moistening occurs at the edge of the pot. The water should be at room temperature, clean and settled. After flowering, watering is reduced, and in the summer at rest it reaches a minimum.

   Bottom watering - the pot is lowered into water for a few minutes

3. Flower loves good lighting, but does not tolerate direct rays. It is placed on western or eastern windows. If there is insufficient lighting, cyclamen may not bloom, so it is worth considering the lighting. He needs good humidity in the room. In the summer heat, water is periodically sprayed near the plant.

   The flower prefers diffused light

4. When transplanting a perennial into a new pot, choose a container with a diameter of 2-3 cm larger size tuber In a spacious pot, the plant grows leaves and roots, but blooms sparingly. For a two-year-old flower the container size is 8 cm, a three-year-old will need 12-14 cm.
   

   Important. The tuber of European cyclamen takes root entirely on the surface, so it is buried completely. The Persian cyclamen bulb should be one third of the way out of the ground. Its roots are located at the bottom.

5. Feeding is carried out only during the period of activity. Young plants that are growing green mass require more nitrogen. Before flowering, they are fed with a special fertilizer that stimulates the formation of buds. Experienced flower growers Those who know how to grow cyclamen from seeds and take care of it in the future recommend the drug “Kemira Lux”. This is a water-soluble powder that is applied along with watering. Fertilize the flower no more than once every two weeks.

Attention. Excess minerals harms the plant. Its flower stalks become shorter, the buds become smaller, and the color fades.

After flowering, cyclamen enters a dormant phase. Yellowing and falling leaves are a natural process that should not cause concern. The tuber is placed in a cool, dark place. By autumn it will come to life again.

Growing own plant from seed material allows him to initially adapt to environmental conditions. The risk of getting a diseased flower or losing it due to differences in maintenance conditions is eliminated. You will have to wait a year for the first buds, but the beautiful flowers will be worth all the effort.

Before growing cyclamen from seeds at home, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of this plant. This indoor flower differs from many inhabitants of the windowsill. In order for the seeds to germinate and the plant to delight with its flowering in the future, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for his existence.

Choosing cyclamen seeds for sowing

You can plant seeds at any time of the year, but February or March is considered the most optimal. If homemade cyclamen needs to be propagated, you will have to wait until the plant forms a seed pod and let it dry.

The plant pollinates on its own, but to speed up the process, cyclamen can be helped. To do this, you will need to take a small brush and use it to carefully transfer pollen from one flower to another.

You should not open the seed capsule until it dries, since the ripening process is still at the completion stage. Another option is to buy seed material from a flower shop.

In order for planting seeds to produce good seedlings, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to their choice. All cyclamen grains must meet specific criteria. They should not show any structural damage. Deformed seeds are also not suitable. If there are signs of freezing or damage infectious disease, then the percentage of seedlings will be minimal. In addition, those plants that nevertheless germinate from low-quality seed material will become sick.

If you buy seeds for planting cyclamen at a flower shop, you should pay attention to the expiration date. Products that are stored for more than 2 years are considered unsuitable for use. The packaging must be free of defects. If they are present, this indicates that the storage conditions were not met.

The difference between homemade seeds and store-bought products is that self-collected grains give almost 100% germination. But there are also responsible producers whose products are no worse than homemade seed material.

Preparing seeds and soil

To obtain maximum amount seedlings, it is recommended to soak the grains before placing them in the ground. To do this, use any growth stimulator, which can also be purchased at a flower shop. Cotton pads are impregnated with it. The seeds are placed so that they are between 2 moistened materials. Instead of cotton wool, you can use a bandage.

The grains must remain in a humid environment for at least 18 hours. It is necessary to ensure that they do not dry out. The growth stimulator can be replaced with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. In this composition, the seeds are soaked for approximately 14 hours. If you plan to grow cyclamen in the future, you can soak its seeds in several solutions at once. Based on the results of seedlings, it will be possible to determine the most the best way.

In order for the plant to germinate, it is necessary to prepare high-quality soil. The substrate can be purchased at the store or prepared yourself. If you will be preparing the soil yourself, you should remember that before planting it must be subjected to heat treatment. The soil taken from a garden or forest contains a large number of various microorganisms. If they are not destroyed, they can harm the cyclamen.

The substrate is laid out in containers and compacted. The previously processed seeds are laid out at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other. They are sprinkled on top with a mixture of peat and sand. For seeds to germinate, they need moisture. Seedlings are generously watered and covered cling film.

The optimal temperature for germination of cyclamen seeds is +15ºС. There should be no bright light in the greenhouse. The plant needs twilight. If the air temperature is higher, you will have to wait a long time for seedlings. Lack of moisture can also slow down the process of seed germination. If all conditions are met, the sowing will take about 30-40 days for the first shoots to appear. Otherwise, growing cyclamen from seeds will take 3-4 months.

Picking cyclamen seedlings

After the first shoots appear, the container with seedlings must be moved from a dark place to a light place. When the root of the plant is well established in the soil (it forms a tuber) and a fully formed leaf appears, you can begin picking the seedlings.

The soil for the plant is prepared from peat and sand. Into one flower pot you can plant 2-3 seedlings. When diving, you must be careful not to damage the tuber. The sprouted cyclamen is removed from the container using a special spatula or a regular spoon. You need to grab the tuber along with the soil and place the seedling in this form in a pot. Sprinkle the top of the root with a small amount of soil and water it. For further growth, the plant will need light and an air temperature of no more than 20ºC. Rooting of the petioles will continue for 3 weeks. During this period, you need to ensure that the soil does not dry out. If the petioles begin to stretch and the leaves curl, this means that the cyclamen does not have enough lighting. You should also take into account the fact that indoor flowers do not like direct hits. sun rays. If it is not possible to provide the plant with a sufficient amount of light, you can reduce the temperature in the room. Such actions will slow down growth and prevent deformation of the sheets.

Cyclamen does not like water getting on its tuber. To avoid root rotting, it is recommended to water the flower along the edge of the bowl.

If everything is done correctly, then within 9 months after the dive, flower buds will appear on the cyclamen. The plant fully blooms in about a year.

Cyclamen reproduces in many ways. But you need to choose the most optimal one based on the type of plant. So:

1. - an option for both types of plants, but you need to take only mature crops.
2. Sowing seeds– can be used for growing any species, even ivy.
3. Rosettes– this method is only applicable for European species, since the shoots of Persian cyclamen do not take root well.
4. Tubers daughters- an excellent option for breeding a European flower, only this species produces small children around the main tuber. When transplanting, they are separated without effort and placed in a separate pot.

Important: some gardeners mistakenly think that cyclamen can be used. But, unfortunately, this is impossible, since such cuttings do not produce roots, they stand for a long time, and then they simply dry out.

We discussed all methods of propagation of cyclamen in detail in.

How to collect seed material?

Many people choose the easiest way to propagate cyclamen - buy seeds in the store. But if there are already houses flowering plant, then you can collect seeds from it.

A flower will not produce seeds until it has undergone pollination.. Cyclamen itself cannot do this, so you need to start collecting pollen, then arm yourself with a brush and cross-pollinate. This creative process, since if you take two plants for pollination different color, then you will get a new, attractive hybrid, with an original color.

The natural flowering period of cyclamen is from December to February, at which time pollination takes place. This process is best done on a sunny morning. Pollen can be collected by gently tapping the flower; pollen will begin to fall out of it, which must be placed on the pistil of a neighboring plant.

You can also use a brush to collect pollen and apply it to the middle of another flower.. To be completely sure, you need to do this at least 5-7 times. If pollination is successful, the flowering process quickly stops, and in place of the flower a small, round box is formed, in which small, round, light brown seeds ripen. The capsule cannot be removed from the plant; the seeds will ripen in 90 to 140 days. At this time the plant needs to be provided comfortable temperature– during the day +20, at night +12 degrees.

What should you expect from homemade cyclamen seeds? Such seeds do not lose their ability to germinate for a long time - 3 years. It is worth noting interesting fact that if you let the seeds sit for a year and a half, the plant from these seeds will bloom much faster.

Features of cultivation

To grow cyclamen from seeds at home, you need to know some of the features of this process.:

• Shoots will appear in about 30 days, but only if the air temperature during germination is +15 degrees. If this indicator is exceeded by several degrees, then the seeds can take up to three months to wake up.
• By using several types of plant seeds, you can create a luxurious flower garden of healthy plants on your windowsill.
• You can sow seeds throughout the year, but better growth It is better to adhere to the biological rhythms of the plant and sow in spring or late summer.
• It is better to grow cyclamen from seeds in a dark room.

Preparing for sowing

The flower loves light and nutritious soil. It can be found in the store, where they sell soil mixture specifically for this crop. But if there is none, you can buy soil for Saintpaulia.

But if you prefer to do everything yourself, you can prepare the soil by mixing equal proportions:

• turf land;
• leaf soil;
• humus;
• sand.

As soon as the soil is prepared, you can begin preparing the seed material., otherwise they will take a very long time to wake up:

1. Soak the seeds for 18 hours in any growth stimulant, for this you can use Etamon, Zircon, Epi-extra. The drug is sold in flower shops and should be diluted strictly according to the instructions.
2. Sometimes seeds are soaked in potassium permanganate - the solution should be weak, or simply in warm water. The seeds are soaked for 14 hours.
3. If you plan to breed cyclamens, then at the seed preparation stage, divide them into several groups and apply different ways processing. Subsequently, you can choose the best option for yourself.

Choosing the right pot

The development and flowering of cyclamen directly depends on the chosen pot in which the plant will grow. The pot should be washed small, relative to the tuber itself, that is, the distance between the walls of the pot and the bulb should be no more than 3 cm. Cyclamen is capable of flowering only in very cramped conditions.

Soil requirements

The soil must meet the requirements of the plant - light, nutritious, loose. They often buy it in a store, since in city conditions it is difficult to prepare the soil mixture yourself.

Planting: step-by-step instructions

1. To plant seeds, it is better to use an opaque container, into which soil is poured in a layer of 5-6 cm and compacted well. Then the seeds are laid out on the surface at a distance of 2 cm from each other, and sprinkled with a centimeter layer of peat and sand, mixed in equal quantities and watered well.
2. Cover the container with the same opaque lid or black film to create greenhouse effect. For rapid germination, the seeds are placed in a room with an air temperature of no more than +15 degrees, and the room should be dark.
3. Seeds take a very long time to germinate; the first shoots can be seen only after a month. This is due to the fact that first a root appears from the seed, on which a tuber begins to form. And only then purple-pink loops begin to appear from it.
4. During germination, sometimes a difficulty arises - the plant cannot unfold the first leaf due to the seed skin, which it is not able to shed. This usually occurs from a lack of humidity, so it is advisable to monitor this carefully.
5. If this problem worries you greatly, then you can help the plant open its first leaf - place a soaked cotton pad on the sprout and after 2 hours, carefully remove the seed with tweezers.

Attention: Shoots have appeared - it’s time to move the container with seedlings to a bright place, but not in direct sunlight.

We recommend watching a video about planting cyclamen seeds:

Plant care

Cyclamen is very capricious flower, which requires a certain temperature, humidity and lighting. Therefore, if you are not ready to regularly and carefully care for the plant, then it is better not to have this flower in your home, it will die.

First of all, in order for the plant to develop well, producing healthy leaves and flowers, it must be placed on the “correct” windowsill, which should be light and sunny. Do not forget that Cyclamen is very light-loving. But in this case there is one nuance that is often difficult to accomplish, especially in the summer. Cyclamen loves light and coolness. The most optimal temperature for the plant is +6-13 degrees. Maximum – +17 degrees.

For good flowering the room in which cyclamen grows must be constantly ventilated. At the same time, make sure that there are no drafts - they are detrimental to the plant.

Watering greatly affects the growth and development of the plant:

• During flowering, water the crop abundantly and make sure that the earthen ball does not dry out, but the flower does not tolerate stagnation of water. At this time, spraying is carried out 3 times a day.
• As soon as the plant has finished blooming, reduce watering, but not too much; in any case, the soil should not dry out.
• Water the plant with settled water at room temperature.

We recommend watching a video about proper care for cyclamen:

Moisturizing young shoots

The soil in which young Cyclamen seedlings grow is moistened daily with a spray bottle.. You can buy a small watering can with a strainer at the end.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that Cyclamen is very demanding to care for, it can often be found on apartment windowsills. The beauty of the flowers of this plant completely compensates for the complexity of agricultural technology. It is worth noting that if you have a desire to grow Cyclamen, it is better to do it from seeds, since a flower bought in a store may not tolerate a sudden change in environment and die.

With the onset of cold weather, when all the plants have already withered and the foliage has fallen, it will certainly lift your spirits with its spectacular “butterfly” flowers, as if fluttering above the silver-green leaves with unique stains. Its homeland is the coast Mediterranean Sea. As a potted crop, two types of cyclamens have gained wide popularity: Persian and European. They bloom in winter, when no other plant pleases us. It is a perennial, corm-forming plant. It is typical that cultivation is carried out. Reproduction by dividing the tuber is not recommended because the tuber can quickly rot and die.

Sowing seeds can be done at any time, it’s just that the time of the first flowering will directly depend on the date of the last transshipment, when the tuber is buried to 2/3 of its height. But it is best to start growing in February-March, then the plants can bloom within a year, in March. Seeds are soaked for 12 hours in a growth stimulant or potassium permanganate and sown in a prepared, steamed earthen mixture (soil mixture + sand in a ratio of 4:1). They are embedded to a depth of no more than 1 centimeter. Seeds are placed in a pre-watered groove at a distance of 3-4 centimeters and sprinkled with earth. Cyclamen seeds germinate in the dark at 18 - 20 degrees. To do this, the planting container is covered not only with glass or film, but also with dark paper until germination. Shoots appear no earlier than a month later. Some varieties have a long germination period, so don’t despair in advance; they can please you even after a couple of months.

The emerging seedlings should be moved into the light, but to a place where they are not threatened by direct midday sun.

After the appearance of the first true ones, with the coloring of leaves characteristic of cyclamen, the plant must be picked. For the first pick, you can use a common container, but the distance between the shoots must be at least 5 centimeters. It is best to carry out picking in individual containers filled with loose soil (we can recommend soil mixture type "Tulip"), ensuring sufficient drainage. During the first picking, the already formed nodule is lightly sprinkled with earth.

Growing cyclamen from seeds is characterized by the fact that in the first year the young plants do not rest. The second picking should be done at the age of 7-8 months in pots with a diameter of no more than 10-11 centimeters. The tubers should be buried in moist soil to 2/3 of their height. With the skillful use of agrotechnical techniques - shading, spraying, precise dosage mineral fertilizers, you can achieve enhanced growth of young cyclamen and their flowering within a year after planting the seeds. It is also necessary to form bushes. Mature leaves are spread apart and lightly pinned with straightened paper clips or hairpins. This technique promotes the formation of flower buds.

Growing cyclamen from seeds requires following some basic rules:

When transplanting plants into a new container, you cannot use soil mixtures that contain fresh or poorly rotted manure. Tubers may rot and die;

When transshipping, you should remember that large pots are contraindicated for cyclamens; the soil in them quickly turns sour and the roots rot. There should be no more than 3 centimeters between the edge of the pot and the corm;

When planting, cyclamen should not be buried more than 2/3 of the tuber height, because this protects the growing point and stimulates the formation of flower buds;

An excess of mineral fertilizers is not recommended for young plants, so they should be applied minimum quantity(1/2 teaspoon of complex flower fertilizer per liter of water). In the period before flowering, plants should be fed two to three times;

Watering should be carried out only in the pan, since if water gets on the plant tuber, the flower buds may rot;

When flower buds appear, ensure the ambient temperature is about 18 degrees and reduce watering.

Seeds are one of the ways to enjoy magnificent plants, spectacularly blooming in winter time, causing us delight and a feeling of unreality against the background of patterned frosty window glass.