Will bloom all winter long: what to feed cyclamen with

Cyclamen is a charming perennial plant with flowers that resemble butterflies with folded wings. Its flowers seem to "look" downward, and the petals are bent backward.

The color scheme of cyclamen is very diverse: from white and pink to purple and burgundy. Cyclamen leaves also have decorative value - they are usually heart-shaped or rounded, with an interesting pattern on the surface.

The most popular species for growing at home are: Persian cyclamen with large flowers and a long flowering period, purple cyclamen - a frost-resistant species, and ivy-leaved cyclamen. OBOZ.UA offers to find out how to care for cyclamen in the fall to ensure that the plant will bloom steadily.

How to care for cyclamen in the fall

Autumn is the best time to prepare cyclamen for lush flowering in winter. After the summer dormant period, when the plant has shed its leaves and rested, it's time for action.

In particular, after new buds have appeared on the cyclamen tuber, it is time to repot it. To do this, carefully remove the plant from the pot and examine the roots. If they are bunched together, it's time to give them more space. The new pot should be 2 cm larger than the previous one.

Transplanting

Sprinkle a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot and prepare a fresh substrate: a mixture of all-purpose soil, perlite, a little charcoal and sand is ideal for cyclamen. Repot the plant so that the top of the tuber remains above the soil surface.

After repotting, place the cyclamen pot on a north or east-facing window. Avoid direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves.

Water the cyclamen moderately as the topsoil dries. It is better to water in a saucer or along the edge of the pot, avoiding water getting on the leaves.

A month after transplanting, start feeding cyclamen with a special fertilizer for flowering plants. Repeat fertilizing every 2 weeks.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for cyclamen flowering is 20-22 degrees Celsius. Avoid drafts and sudden changes in temperature. Do not place the cyclamen pot near heating appliances, as dry, warm air can adversely affect the plant.

Inspect the plant regularly for pests and diseases. At the first sign of a disease, use a suitable treatment.

Life hack with charcoal

The authors of the Croatian YouTube channel Plants shared how to stimulate the active growth of cyclamen in winter with the help of a special charcoal fertilizer. They emphasized that this organic fertilizer promotes abundant flowering of the plant and is a real superfood for indoor flowers.

Charcoal contains a number of important nutrients, such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and calcium, as well as iron, copper, zinc and manganese. These components not only support plant growth but also help them stay healthy. To use charcoal, it is recommended to grind it into powder first.

Experts noted that charcoal fertilizer is suitable not only for cyclamen but also for other indoor plants. This product also helps regulate soil acidity, which is important for proper root nutrition.

To prepare the fertilizer solution, dissolve one tablespoon of charcoal in a liter of warm, non-chlorinated water. After thorough stirring, this solution should be used once a month.

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