Persian cyclamen is widespread in the Eastern Mediterranean and we have been known as a cultivated plant since the beginning of the 18th century, and already in the 19th century many different garden forms of this plant were developed. The most common color of flowers is red, pink, purple and white. Persian cyclamen has rather large leaves, which in diameter can reach 15 centimeters.
If wild cyclamens had high peduncles, then modern varieties have small peduncles, sometimes several centimeters. Persian cyclamen has very interesting roots, which are tubers, similar in shape to a ball. For some nations, it still had the name "pork bread", which was due to the fact that it is a favorite treat of wild boars.
Persian cyclamen not only has beautiful flowers, but also has very beautiful leaves. They are painted in bright green color and are completely covered with a peculiar pattern, which has a grayish-silver tint. This plant blooms for a long time, the flowering period can last up to 4-5 months.
How to care for Persian cyclamen
The first thing you need to pay attention to when buying cyclamen is the condition of the root and the leaves - there should not be any signs of decay on them. Since the plant begins to bloom in October, it is best to buy it during this period. A large number of buds on a flower indicates that it is developing correctly and is healthy.
With proper care, cyclamen has a long period of life, which can be 20 or more years. A feature of the planting of this plant is that its root should peek out from the ground by a third. Also, to obtain a lush plant (and to prevent root decay), it is necessary to grow cyclamen in a small pot.
During flowering, the plant does not like too high a temperature, it should be between 12-15 degrees, cyclamen also likes fresh air. Lush flowering requires a lot of sunlight, but cyclamen does not tolerate direct rays, it quickly fades from them, the flowering period may shorten (or not begin at all).
Cyclamen loves regular watering, but it is better to produce it in a pan. It is important that water does not get on the protruding roots of the plant, as well as on young shoots. Severe waterlogging of the soil can cause the plant to die. You can spray air around the plant, thus saturating it with moisture, but you should beware of getting a stream of water on flowers, leaves, tubers.
Persian cyclamen: care after flowering
As already mentioned, for cyclamen, unlike other plants, the dormant period begins in the spring. At this time, it stops blooming and leaves fall. In this state, the plant requires significantly less moisture, so its watering is reduced. Usually the leaves fall off themselves, but it happens that some are not fallen. In this case, they must be cut or unscrewed as close to the tuber as possible, but so as not to damage it.
It is better to transfer the pot with the plant to a cooler and shady place, you must ensure that the soil does not dry out. The plant loves moist air, so this also needs to be monitored.
The fact that the plant came out of hibernation will signal the appearance of leaflets. At this time, you can transplant cyclamen. In this case, dead or decayed roots are removed. After the flower is transplanted, it must be put in a bright place, but so that there are no direct rays of the sun. At first, the transplanted plant should be watered sparingly, and after a month, it can be fed.
If you decide to propagate cyclamen, this can be done both by seed and by dividing the tuber. It is noted that those cyclamens that were grown from seeds feel better at room conditions than those that are propagated by dividing the tuber.