Hi folks, just curious what people's experience with them is.

I got a few (unnamed) plants from my grocery's "hospital" department last year, and tried leaving them outside for the winter - they didn't like that *at all* and checked out permanently.

So I got a few more this winter, and am curious about how to manage them (other than keeping them inside for the winter). Do they need/want to go dormant? When? If you keep them going year-round, what's your fertilization regimen?

Also, I assume they are hybrids of some kind, but maybe not? What's their parentage?

The tender varieties, sometimes called florist's cyclamen, don't need to go dormant. They prefer cool temps and those I had enjoyed being grown in an unheated bedroom in a bright window. They would usually bloom through the winter. During summer I kept them on a shady porch. While in bloom it is tempting to move them to regular room temperature where they can be enjoyed, but they do show signs of stress within a few days. Some sources recommend cutting the blooms to enjoy in warmer areas of the home.

There are various hardy species that can be grown outdoors in the ground (C. coum, C. hederifolium, C. persicum), and I believe the genetic foundation for hybrid florist cyclamen is among that group. The hardy types do go dormant in summer.

gemini_sage said:The tender varieties, sometimes called florist's cyclamen, don't need to go dormant.

Thanks gemini. Did you follow a fertilization schedule?

It was several years ago and I don't recall what I used at the time or how often, but I think it is a good idea to use a fertilizer for blooming plants. I like using soluble plant food at half strength every 2 weeks or so.

Thanks again!

The only thing I perhaps could add to Neal's excellent advice would be to be a bit careful when watering. Preferably water from below and do not let any moisture stand between the stems and the tuber as this could cause it to mould. Also for the same reason it's best to carefully twist the fading flower stems away, don't use scissors as the stumps left could mould.

While not all Cyclamen will appear to go dormant in summer, you still need to be extra careful not to over water at that time as they do remember their origin. I remember throwing one out under a bush, forgetting about it the whole summer, no water more than what little rain it could get and then one day in September I saw it blooming again.

They are so beautiful flowers, but as Neal says they unfortunately don't agree with warm indoor temperatures. I used to carry them down in the cold cellar each night to make them grow better during the winter, but that gets a a bit tedious after a while .

I have one that's been blooming it's little heart out since May. I do water it from the top, and there is a shallow 'moat' that goes all around the soil on the top (not done on purpose but it works well), so the crown sits up higher. They do not like their crowns to get wet.

That is a good idea, Julie and certainly even if the 'moat' had to be hand dug, it wouldn't be too hard work