Return to the House Plants Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Cyclamen Help!!!
| | |
Posted by sarahbarah27 5 (My Page) on Fri, Mar 7, 08 at 8:22
Hello, I also posted this in the bulb forum, i didnt know which one to use! I just have a question about cyclamen. My boyfriend gave me one for valentines day, and I really like it. The only thing is that i don't know much about them! I know that they go dormant, but does anyone know when this happens? The flowers are fading and some of the leaves are drying up and dieing. I feel like i am killing it!!! What do i do? Just stop watering it and leave it alone? Please help!!!
Thanks, Sarah
|
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Cyclamen Help!!!
| | |
| Been a long time since I grew cyclamen, and then it was mostly the outdoor hardy type, but maybe I can say something dumb and someone will come on to correct me! I don't really think cyclamen are very good houseplants unless you have a pretty cool house. (I mean cool in terms of temperature, not in the sense of style!) I remember when I first read suggestions on how to grow them the author suggested putting a block of wood in the bottom of a deep bowl like a mixing bowl, putting the pot of cyclamen on the block, and pour boiling water in the bowl (or maybe put the water in first--it was a very long time ago, but that sounds safer.) They need humidity and that's a good way to supply it. It will grow outside in milder areas on the west coast--used to see it when I lived in Eugene (Oregon.) But that's a big clue on how to grow it--cool and humid. |
RE: Cyclamen Help!!!
| | |
- Posted by paul_ z4/5 MI (My Page) on
Sat, Mar 8, 08 at 13:34
| Hmmm, I would think that boiling water would not only heat up the plant far to much but the increase in humidity would not be all that long lasting. Better to use a cool air humidifier to raise humidity. The florist kind are cool growers as GB said. So on a windowsill with bright indirect light [and no where near a heat vent] would be good. They do not like to dryout while in growth/blooming. Tried one last year. Looked good all winter but lost it during dormancy. I think I let it get far too dry. [They bulb/tuber needs a drier summer rest but not bone dry, as I understand it.] Hopefully those with success at "bringing em back alive" will chime in. :) |
RE: Cyclamen Help!!!
| | |
RE: Cyclamen Help!!!
| | |
| I think the idea of the bowl and hot water was that it was to be a *deep* bowl, and then a big block of wood, so the bowl would more or less concentrate the humidity and the piece of wood would keep it insulated. I did try it and it worked, but I hate to say--well, I don't remember!--how many years ago it was. Really long time. Probably moved and lost it--did a lot of that. Gardeners should not have to move all the time! |
|
|
|
|
