Few know that alpine violet not only amazing beautiful flower, but also a chemically pure medicine for sinusitis, the raw material for which grows in a surprisingly clean alpine valley. This article will tell you how to grow this flower at home.

Conventionally, alpine violet is classified into two types - Persian and European. In reality, there are much more of them, especially if we take into account artificially bred plants. A less common name for this violet is cyclamen. Cyclamens are characterized by leaves of a green or dark green hue on a long handle. Alpine rose inflorescences are located on the stems one by one, without forming bouquets. The color of the inflorescences is the most diverse. It happens that mountain plants bought in stores, and most of them in our apartments, refuse to bloom when moving home. The fact is that store-bought alpine saintpaulias are grown mainly in cool greenhouses, and it’s hard for them to get used to the gentle home climate.

Flowers of this variety traditionally delight their owners with delicate petals in winter season when most plants are resting, however hybrid varieties able to bloom all year round.

Varieties

As already noted, the vast majority of cyclamens that can be found in our climate zone- hybrids whose homeland has nothing to do with a real alpine valley. Below are descriptions of popular varieties of Alpine Saintpaulia:

African cyclamen (Cyclamen africanum) is a shrub rather than a flower, a very vigorous plant found in the north of Tunisia and Algeria. Differs in large, mostly green leaves, growing, like flowers from tubers. The foliage is very big size, over ten centimeters, there are specimens with a blue tint of leaves. Flowers can take on all shades of pink.

Mountain Saintpaulia comes from Colchis, Colchis or Pontic cyclamen (Cyclamen colchicum, Cyclamen ponticum). This violet is common in the mountains of Abkhazia and is essentially a type of European cyclamen, only with smaller flowers and foliage without patterns.

Kos violet (Cyclamen coum Mill) is named after its homeland on the island of Kos, in the waters of the Aegean Sea near Turkey. The plant is also often found in Bulgaria, northern Syria and Iran. It happened that the Kos violet was found in the regions of the Crimea and the Caucasus. The flower has dark brown velvety tubers. Leaves spend most of the winter covered with snow. Plants native to Turkey are characterized by kidney-shaped leaves and flowers of a pale pink hue. To the east, closer to the Black Sea coast, an increase in the size of inflorescences is noted. The silvery pattern is clearly visible on the leaves. Violets with kidney-shaped leaves and small flowers are common in the area. Krasnodar Territory and Abkhazia.

Determine the place of distribution following colors can be from their name. We will talk about Cypriot cyclamen (Cyclamen cyprium) from the island of Cyprus, where you can find several varieties of these violets. Violet is a symbol of Cyprus, and Cypriots are promoting its virtues with might and main. Flowers growing on the island and far beyond its borders are distinguished by the presence of purple or purple spot at the base of the petals.

Geographically close to the Cypriot violet is the distribution area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe Greek cyclamen (Cyclamen graecum). The petals of this flower are usually whimsically colored and range from pink to purple hues. The color of the leaves also pleases with its diversity.

Persian cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum Miller) came to our apartments from the northern part of the African continent and from the eastern shores of the Mediterranean. This quintessentially southern flower has dark green, heart-shaped leaves streaked with silvery gray. The color of Persian violets is the most diverse. They can often be found in the home collections of our compatriots.

Finally, the parade of violet varieties is crowned by European cyclamen, or purple (Cyclamen europaeum, Cyclamen purpurascens). These are flowers two or three tall. matchbox, with leathery dark green leaves and flowers with a pleasant color and smell. It begins to bloom in the middle, towards the end of summer. It is found on the slopes of the Alps and in the mountain forests of Europe. Feels great in the local, not very hot climate.

Care

When caring for Alpine Saintpaulia, it should be remembered that this indoor flower does not like drafts, but at the same time it does not feel well in a stagnant atmosphere. Given the fact that cyclamens love bright lighting, we can conclude that they should be on the windowsill with windows constantly closed, but in a regularly ventilated room.

All varieties of violets of this species are recommended to be kept at a temperature of 6-15 ° C, if the conditions are warmer, this will negatively affect appearance flowers. Periodically, it is desirable to spray the space around the plant, but not the flower itself, cyclamens do not tolerate excess moisture.

Alpine saintpaulia should be transplanted after the flowers have rested, the main reason for transplanting is the overgrown violet root system.

domestic Cyclamen - Alpine violet. How to care for a plant

Plant name in Russian: Cyclamen
Other flower names: Alpine violet, sage
Latin name: Cyclamen
Family: primroses (Primulaceae)
In room conditions, the following types are very common: Persian cyclamen (C. perseum) and C. european (C. europaeum)

External signs of the plant, description of indoor species of Cyclamen:

Name Cyclamen comes from the Greek word Kyklos, which means a circle, the tubers of this perennial flowering plant have such a shape.

Homeland wild 15 species of this plant are: Caucasus, Crimea, Central and Southern Europe, parts of Asia Minor, Greece, the Middle East and the Alps .

Alpine violet- This is a perennial plant that can live up to 25 years in nature.

Cyclamen can be described in a few sentences as follows: a delicate decorative perennial flower with a thick, fleshy onion tuber, green and dark green leaves with a pattern of silvery veins. But the most important advantage of the Alpine violet is its beautiful, light as a butterfly, the most delicate, fringed or fringed flowers, very saturated with multi-colored flowers: white, red, pink-lilac. Flowers gracefully sit on reddish petioles of different heights (their length differs in different varieties: there are large C. up to 30 cm high, as well as medium and miniature Cyclamens). I would also like to note the pleasant aroma of dryakva flowers.

Common indoor species are European and Persian cyclamen, between which there are some significant differences. For comparison, below is a brief description of each of the domestic species.

European cyclamen(C.europaeum) - a herbaceous long-lived plant with a round or elongated or flattened tuber up to 10 cm in diameter, daughter tubers are located on underground shoots. Short shoots grow from the top of the tuber with small leaves 2-4 cm in diameter on long petioles of a rounded shape, the top of the leaf is dark green with a silvery pattern, and the bottom leaves are dark red in color. The flowers are also small - 2-5 cm in diameter. pink shades and with a pleasant smell, they delight the eye from spring to autumn.

Persian cyclamen(C.persicum) - has a larger tuber, reaching 15 cm in diameter. Unlike the European one, in which the roots are located on all parts of the tuber, the roots of the Persian Cyclamen extend from the bottom of the turnip. Characteristic features of this species of Alpine C. are large leaves in diameter. up to 14 cm, painted green below and may have a jagged edge. The flowers are larger - 5 cm with pink or purple petals bent back or slightly twisted. The flowering period is autumn-winter until spring.

the photo shows home views
Cyclamen

European cyclamen with pale pink flowers

Persian Cyclamen - huge leaves and
pink flowers with scalloped edge

Different varieties of C. differ not only
the color of flowers, but also the pattern on the leaves

How to care for cyclamens of different types:

When growing Cyclamen in room conditions, it is necessary to adhere to certain conditions of detention. For different types of Alpine violet, maintenance and care tips are similar, but may vary. Therefore, differences in the cultivation of Persian and European wheat will be discussed separately.

Diffused sunlight is desirable for Cyclamena. should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, in the summer it is placed on the north window in the shade.

Temperature conditions should be + 18- + 20 degrees Celsius in summer, and in winter - around 10-12 ° C.

Watering is carried out moderately, and during the dormant period - significantly reduce, while avoiding strong drying of the earth in a pot with Cyclamen. Immediately I would like to note that C. European does not have a pronounced dormant period and it is evenly watered all year round. And in Persian Cyclamen, the rest period begins immediately after flowering from May to June, a sign of this is the shedding of leaves, during dormancy, C. Persian (C. perseum) is watered about 1 day after the soil in the flower pot dries out. You can periodically spray the surface of the leaves.

flowering period for each of the species is also different: European. C. pleases with its flowers from spring to autumn. Persian C. sprouts roots with many flowers during the autumn-spring period. In order for the Alpine violet to bloom longer and give more flowers, it must be kept in a bright, cool room, and yellow leaves and wilted flowers should be removed in a timely manner. With proper care, Cyclamen can bloom for more than a month and a half and give more than 50 beautiful delicate fragrant flowers during this time.

This tuberous flower is transplanted in the fall, but many flower growers recommend a different scheme. Persian C. transplanted into a wider bowl early July when new leaves begin to grow. For Cyclamen European change the pot annually in March or April. Transplanted cyclamen is rarely watered. Increase watering only as rooting. The European C. tuber is completely covered with earth, and the Persian tuber is half the height. The soil mixture for this winter indoor plant has the following composition: under one part of sand, humus and peat and three parts of leafy soil.

The main method of reproduction in two indoor species of Cyclamen also differs.
European look has lateral shoots with small nodules, with the help of which young plants of this species are bred.
With reproduction at Persian type things are much more complicated, because it must be artificially pollinated. To do this, it is desirable to have a second plant and take its flowers for pollination. If pollination is successful, seed boxes are formed in place of flowers, which are immediately sown fresh in moist peat to a depth of one centimeter and kept at +17°C (very important: if the temperature of the seed content is above +18°C, the seeds will fall into a state of secondary dormancy and will germinate in a year). If the temperature is kept low, the seeds will sprout in 1 month. When the small nodules formed from the seed give a second leaf, they can be swooped down, completely buried in the soil. They are watered, loosen the top layer of the earth. The second transplantation of seedlings of the Persian Cyclamena will be in 1.5-2 months: the young nodule is buried by two-thirds, observing moderate watering and shading from the sun.
Such young plants will bloom in about a year.

Features of caring for Alpine violet at home:

! Excess moisture adversely affects the Cyclamen plant: a fungus can settle on the leaves, after which the leaves wither and turn yellow. Affected leaves, along with the petiole, must be removed immediately.

! The most common cause of yellowing leaves Cyclamen has warm and dry air, because dryakva loves a cool room - in winter it is twelve degrees Celsius, in summer it is not higher than plus twenty, and preferably seventeen degrees Celsius.

! When watering Cyclamen water should not fall on the tuber, because this can lead to rotting of the tuber and death of the plant. Do not spray the flowers of C.

! During plant transplantation, it is advisable to leave the upper part of the tuber open. without covering it with soil.

! In addition to the usual common pests Cyclamen can hit land beetle weevil - furrowed bevel. The larvae of which eat the roots, and the adult beetle gnaws the leaves at night. The fight against this weevil consists in the complete replacement of the land coma, checking and removing adults from the roots and chemical. treatment of Cyclamen tuber before planting in new soil.

! Abnormally small deformed leaves- Cyclamen mites may be the cause. This pest settles on the leaves of cyclamen, saintpaulia, balsam and pelargonium. As a result, the leaves curl, the growth of the plant stops, with a large accumulation of these tiny mites on the underside of the leaf, they look like light dust. The cyclamen mite loves damp places, spraying with conventional preparations is likely to not work, so the affected leaves should be removed immediately.

Alpine violet

When the flowers are not only beautiful, but also unobtrusively fragrant, it brings a special joy. These include the alpine violet, with its pink-lilac flowers over heart-shaped, leathery, dark green, fleshy leaves.

It blooms all year round, with short breaks. But provided that it is properly looked after. Violet is very capricious. If something is not according to it, it immediately dies. The first alarm signal is the yellowing of the leaves. In this case, watering should be reduced, otherwise the tuber will rot and the flower cannot be saved.

The violet reproduces by dividing the bush (the tuber has many root offspring, which after a certain time also become tubers). My long experience as a violet grower has shown that she likes to be replanted periodically, at least once every one or two years. What do you need to pay attention to? If the flower has stopped growing, the leaves have turned yellow or lost their dark green color, if underdeveloped leaves are formed, as well as small flowers that fade early, all these phenomena indicate the need for a transplant.

The best pots for violets are earthenware, well-fired, with a hole in the bottom. The plastic ones don't work in my opinion. Before planting, a new pot must be well soaked in water, and an old one should be washed with hot water and dried over a fire. It is desirable to plant a violet in a low pot, the width of the upper part of which is twice the height. The best time for planting is March and the time after flowering. At the bottom of the pot, you need to put a shard with the convex side up, then cover it with earth (a mixture of garden or garden soil with soil taken under a hazel tree - 1: 1).

Violet likes a lot of light, but is afraid of direct sunlight, so windows facing west are more suitable for her, where the sun is 1-2 hours.

Violet does not like temperature changes. In winter, move the pot away from the glass. Remove the violet from the windowsill for airing in the winter. Watering is a very important procedure in caring for this indoor flower, because in summer it needs one moisturizing regime, and in winter it needs a completely different one. The main principle: the colder the room, the less moisture the violet evaporates and less often it needs to be watered. Special care requires watering in winter. In summer, spring, autumn, violets are watered no more than three times a week, and in winter even less often - 1-2 times. But first of all, focus on the temperature in the room. Another important point: never water a flower with tap water, it must definitely settle.

In addition to watering, I wash and spray the leaves every 1-2 months. Spraying is best done in spring and summer, and in rooms with dry air in winter, but not often.

To protect the violet from diseases, it is necessary in the spring (or after flowering) to water the flower with a weak (slightly pink) solution of potassium permanganate. In addition, it will be a good top dressing, which is very fond of alpine violet. Just do not overdo it: you can water with such a solution no more than once a month. And such watering always saves my violets from midges in the ground. I want to advise: it is better to water not under the tuber, but around it or along the walls of the pot, while the water should not fall to the ground in a strong stream. In spring and summer, you can water at any time, in autumn and winter - only in the morning.

During the transition from autumn to winter, it is a good idea to feed the plants. In addition to the mentioned potassium permanganate, I use the remnants of ground coffee with sugar, topping them up with cold boiled water. Another very good top dressing for both violets and other indoor flowers is an infusion of onion peel. But do not overdo it - violet tolerates dry soil better than an excess of moisture.

Tatiana Podplutova

Alpine violet or cyclamen, also called dryakva, is a perennial herbaceous plant that is incredibly popular. The cultivated bush has a rather beautiful decorative shape. The leaves of the bush are endowed with a dark green color, decorated with gray patterns.

Many people ask: how and when does indoor cyclamen bloom? The answer is simple. Flowers are located on long shoots in the form of multi-colored butterflies, and, depending on the variety chosen, they start pleasing the eye from the middle of the autumn or winter months (some species can begin blooming only in spring), and the “fluttering of tender moths” continues until the end of spring.

All about cyclamen

Flower of Solomon

Where exactly the cyclamen flower came from is unknown, but some of the countries, including Iran, Central Europe, Greece, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean believe that it was first discovered on their territory. But it is impossible to know for sure who for the first time could enjoy the flowering of dryakva, since it has happened since ancient times.

AT old times this plant was considered King Solomon's flower. The influential monarch became famous for his wisdom and philosophical approach to life, so for a long time I tried to find a flower that could decorate the royal crown. Do right choice it was not easy, since it depends on him how elegantly and, at the same time, majestically the symbol of power on the monarch would look. Once the king saw the cyclamen flower, then he was fascinated by its unforgettable appearance. From that moment on, Solomon was sure that it was this flower that would adorn his crown. Soon a golden crown in the form of this flower was made.

Caring for cyclamen after purchase

If you do not know what to give to a person dear to you, then the houseplant cyclamenia will best solution this question. It is endowed not only decorative qualities that attract others, but also has beautiful flowers exuding an unforgettable aroma.

When purchasing a flower, focus on the following details:

If you are offered a sluggish flower with lowered leaves, then you should refuse it. Also pay attention to general form, because it should not have mold, plaque and mucous formations, since such a plant will surely die soon.

Also, if you bring an infected bush into the house, it can infect other indoor plants.

What are the popular species

You can find about 15 varieties of cyclamen (Cyclamen L.), including:

• Cyclamen Persian Care

Persian

This plant variety, which appeared on the territory of the Eastern Mediterranean. The leaves are heart-shaped, painted in rich emerald green color, which is diluted with a marble pattern.

Flowers are located on long shoots and in their shape are somewhat reminiscent of butterfly wings. There are flowers, both white and red.

You can enjoy bright flowers for many days. From October to March, cyclamen releases about 100 flowers that will delight you with their aroma. From May to June, the bush is at rest.

• European cyclamen

Or as it is also called alpine violet, in natural environment can be found in Central and Southern Europe. The plant has smaller leaves compared to the previous species. Depending on what color the cyclamen flowers will be, it depends on what aroma it will emit. Unlike all other varieties, this one does not shed its foliage during hibernation.

• Kossky

First discovered on the territory of the island of Kos, it differs from other varieties in its petals, which taper towards the base and are endowed with darkening spots.

• Ivy or Neapolitan

The plant variety has leaves that differ from other counterparts with notched-toothed edges, which have a lot of similarities with the famous ivy. Flowering begins in September or early November. Flowers are formed much faster than the leaves of the bush.

• Caucasian

Caucasian

The Caucasian variety, which grows in this area in open ground, foliage appears in autumn and exists under a layer of snow all winter.

The leaves can be either round and heart-shaped, so narrow or elongated shape. The color varies from dark green to brown. Miniature flowers, the circumference of which does not exceed 2 cm, are painted in shades of pink with dark lilac spots at the base. Tuber Brown forms roots from below.

For breeding cyclamen in rooms, the Persian species is mainly used, which includes many varieties and varieties.

You can meet standard ones, the peduncles of which reach 20-30 cm, medium-sized with shoots from 15 to 22 cm and low plants, which have shoots with flowers no more than 15 cm.

The most popular varieties:

Any of these names can often be found in ordinary apartment or office space on the windowsill. After all, cyclamen mix was often presented as a pleasant present or a token of attention.

How to care for cyclamen at home

It does not require any special care, but if you want to please you with your beautiful inflorescences and grow healthy, then you need to follow certain rules.

• The first thing to do is to find the most appropriate place for a flower. It prefers to grow in a well-ventilated area, where there is no direct sunlight. But do not neglect the fact that the plant also does not like drafts, even the slightest ones.
• Compliance temperature regime very important. Prefers to grow in rooms where there is no strong heat. The temperature at which cyclamen will feel great should not exceed 14-16 degrees.
• In the event that you cannot maintain such a temperature on hot summer days, then it is best to transfer the bush to the basement or other room with the appropriate temperature. Do not forget about the lighting, as the dry wood will not grow in the dark. Of course, you can leave the plant in a room where the temperature will not exceed 25 degrees, but this will stop the growth of the bush.
• With the onset of cold weather, remove the plant pot from radiators, fireplaces and other sources additional heat. Do not forget to water the bush and monitor the humidity in the room.
• If the alpine violet is kept too cold room, as well as watering too often, then it will begin to rot, and will soon die.

Need to transplant a plant after purchase or no video

Before moving the tuber to new soil, it must be washed in warm water. Peat, which is too stuck to the bulb, wash off. As soon as it is completely cleared of the old substrate, it is processed with root. Then they are placed in a pot with drainage and a suitable soil for cyclamen is poured.

Subsequent transplants are carried out only if necessary. As a rule, the reasons are an overgrown root system, which is cramped in a small pot, as well as a change in soil.

Transplant rules

• Wait until summer, because at this moment the plant comes out of dormancy and is ready for transplanting.
• If young leaves appeared on the tubers, then this is an indicator that cyclamen needs to be transplanted.
• If the plant blooms, then in no case should it be transplanted.
• Choose a pot well, as the distance from the bulb to the sides of the pot should be about 3 cm.
• The root system must be moved to a container without removing a lump of earth from it, in which it grew before transplanting.

Before transplanting, do not forget to take into account the plant variety, since each species has certain features in this procedure. At Persian cyclamen the root system develops at the bottom of the bulb, so it is necessary to plant the tuber so that its upper part is above the soil.

In the event that the roots form along the entire diameter of the tuber, then the latter should be placed deep into the ground.

After the plant has been transplanted, you should:

• Place it in a cool room with diffused light.
• In the first two days, provide cyclamen with moderate watering.
• Further watering should be carried out a little more often.

Proper watering of alpine violets

Since the plant is among the lovers of moisture, when growing it in your home, do not forget to carry out timely, plentiful watering.

How to water cyclamen correctly? Regardless of what time of the year you will water the bush, carry out this procedure by pouring water into the pot pan. As a last resort, move the leaves with your hand and carefully pour water around the edge of the pot.

The fact is, if water gets on the bush itself or its flower stalks, it will lead to rotting of these areas.

The first signs of improper watering are brown spots, which lead to the subsequent death of the entire bush.

1. Use settled water for watering dryakva in the room where it grows. Watering from the tap is not recommended.
2. In the event that you forgot to defend the water, and you need to water the flower as quickly as possible, then use boiled water, cooling it to the desired temperature.
3. Do not let the water stagnate in the pan, after watering and soaking all the soil, pour it out of the container.

In the event that you become the owner of a Persian variety of a flower, then water it like the most common houseplant, because its bulb is located above the ground.

Fertilizers and top dressings

In order for the buds to develop well, the soil needs to be fed. As soon as the foliage begins to appear and until the very appearance of flower stalks, feed the plant with mineral fertilizers once every 2 weeks.

Organics will also be beneficial for your flower. Be careful when using nitrogen fertilizers. If you apply too much, the root system may begin to rot. In the event that the leaves began to turn yellow, you should use fertilizers, which include iron. The plant itself must be sprayed with iron chelate, and at the moment when it begins to bloom, apply the same top dressing under the root.

Indoor cyclamen reproduction

It is not easy to breed this plant at home. The main methods are dividing the bush and growing it from seeds.

seed breeding

When purchasing seeds, pay attention to the expiration date, as only those seeds that have been stored for no more than 2 years will sprout.

If you already have a flower and want to get seeds from it, then you have to pollinate it with your own hands. Using a brush or cotton swab, you need to transfer pollen from one flower to another. To be sure that the plant is certainly pollinated, carry out this procedure more than once. As a rule, the procedure is carried out on a sunny morning.

Before starting sowing, the seeds must be stored for 2 months, and then soaked in Zircon.

To create soil for the seeds, you will need peat, which must be mixed in equal parts with vermiculite or hardwood. After spreading the seeds on the surface of the soil, cover them with a thin layer of the substrate. In order for the seeds to germinate indoors, a temperature of 20 degrees is required. If you create conditions with more or less temperature, then the seeds will hibernate or begin to rot. Be sure to watch the seeds and do not forget to ventilate them.

After about 4-6 weeks, the first shoots will appear, which must be transferred to a well-lit room, the temperature of which is not more than 15-17 degrees. After the appearance of the bulbs and the third petal, transplant the seedlings into separate pots. A week later using mineral fertilizers, feed them. But do not forget that the dosage indicated on the package must be reduced several times. After about 12-18 months, the first flowers will appear on the plant.

Dividing a bush or bulb

You can propagate cyclamen by dividing the bush if the plant is at rest.

The first thing to do is to get the bulb out of the ground and dry it thoroughly. Next, cut it so that each part has roots and buds with leaves. The best individual will be the one with multiple buds.

To avoid infection of the plant, treat the sections with charcoal and let them dry. After a few days, start planting the bulbs in the container.

Do I need to care for cyclamen in winter

As soon as flowering is over, all the leaves on the bush begin to turn yellow and fall off. This is an indication that the plant is entering a dormant period. At this point, you need to provide cyclamen with special care.

• Remove all dry leaves and flowers from the bush.
• Those leaves that have not yet turned yellow are cut off closer to the base. The procedure is carried out with the help of sharp cutting objects.
• Watering is carried out infrequently and in small doses. Keep the soil slightly moist so that the tubers do not suffer from drought.
• Place the pot in a cool, shaded area. Remember that the life of the dryak is supported by the bulb.

What diseases and pests attack

If you cannot provide the plant with good care, then most likely it will be attacked. various insects and infections.

Cyclamen flower, how to care for at home, so as not to get sick:

• The cyclamen mite lives in colonies and can be detected by a coating that resembles a layer of dust. Insects live on the back of the leaf, and their presence leads to its twisting, as well as withering of buds and flowers. In pest control, insecticides will help you, which are applied after all infected leaves have been removed.
• Thrips are insects that live off the juice in the leaves. They lay their offspring in the form of larvae on the reverse side of the sheets. Also, pests can settle in the soil and attack the bulb, damaging it. If white spots appeared on the pet and the edges of the leaves began to dry out, then this is the first sign of a thrips attack. Infected plants should be treated with insecticides and sent to quarantine, as these insects can fly and can move to neighboring plants.

What to do if the leaves began to turn yellow

The first reason why the color of the leaves has changed may be a sharp change in temperature. Yellowness can also indicate that there is not enough soil in the soil. nutrients, it is waterlogged or too dry. If the plant has a dormant period, then yellowness is a normal process.

Why cyclamen does not bloom at home

• In the event that the air temperature in the room is too high, alpine violet will not produce flowers. Reducing the temperature will help to cope with this problem.
• Spraying the bush 2-3 times a day, and rubbing its leaves with a damp sponge, you will also help it bloom.
• Lack of fertilizer for full development, add phosphorus-potassium supplements to pet care and flowering is ensured.

What are the medicinal properties of sage

Even the ancient physician Hippocrates was able to discover the healing properties of this plant. Its tubers are able to relieve any inflammation, and are also endowed with a calming and antimicrobial property.

The people use the juice of the bulb, which can cure many ailments. With its help, you can cure sinusitis, get rid of various kinds of pain, sciatica, osteochondrosis and many other diseases.

But it should be borne in mind that this plant should be used very carefully, since it contains toxic substances leading to vomiting and dizziness.

Sometimes cyclamen poisoning can lead to convulsions and difficulty breathing.

What are the signs associated with the plant

The Romans believed that cyclamen was able to protect the family from the evil eye and damage. Therefore, they put it in a prominent place, so that evil person couldn't do any harm.

Nowadays, many people also believe that the plant takes away all the negative energy.

Growing indoor alpine violet at home is considered a good indicator, because thanks to her, benevolence and tranquility will always prevail in the family.

The flower should be placed in the bedroom, because according to ancient beliefs, it also helps to increase male potency.

How to care for cyclamen at home video:

Sep 14 2018

Cyclamen (Alpine violet) - home care

Among indoor plants, delighting us with their colors on cloudy autumn and winter days, special place occupied by cyclamen. Although many consider it difficult to grow, it is actually enough to properly organize watering and temperature conditions. In this article we will talk about the intricacies of caring for alpine violets at home.

In the wild, cyclamen grows in the warm and humid climate of the Mediterranean. It can be found in the shady forests of southwestern Asia, southern Europe, on the wooded mountain slopes of Greece, the Middle East, the Caucasus and the Crimea. Cyclamen has several folk names: dryakva, "pork bread", alpine violet. The name "pork bread" comes from the fact that wild boars they like to eat cyclamen tubers, tearing them out of the ground.

Cyclamen belongs to the primrose family, its genus consists of 20 species. It belongs to the ephemeroids that bloom for a short time. And in the rest of the year, the leaves of the plant dry up, and the flower begins a dormant period. Cyclamen is a perennial tuberous plant, the flowering period in nature begins in autumn and ends in spring. Indoor cyclamens mainly bloom in the cold season. Although hybrid varieties have appeared that begin flowering in the spring.

In early autumn, new leaves appear from the tuber. Cyclamen leaves are rounded with a silver pattern over a dark green surface. The leaves are arranged horizontally, form a dense basal rosette. Above it, flowers resembling moths appear on long pedicels. The petals are bent back and raised up. During the flowering period, fifty to seventy buds appear on cyclamen. And although one flower "lives" for about ten days, thanks to a large number buds flowering period lasts several months.

Flowers are rich in colors and shades. Cyclamen has a rich palette of shades of pink and red. Also popular "alpine violet" white color. Modern hybrid varieties can "boast" of unusual shades: burgundy, purple.

Types of cyclamen

All types of cyclamen are divided by height into three groups:

• undersized, in which the height is 15 cm;
• medium height - about 20 cm;
• standard - height reaches 30 cm.

Common in nature the following types cyclamen, differing in size, color and place of growth:

Persian

The Persian species is one of the most common varieties both in nature and in indoor floriculture. Tubers grow up to fifteen centimeters in diameter, have a flat-round shape. The leaves are dark green in color with a silvery pattern and heart-shaped. The height of the peduncles is from fifteen to twenty centimeters, and overall height flower reaches thirty centimeters. Flowers white, pink or red have oblong petals about five centimeters long, laid back from the corolla. The Persian species blooms from autumn to spring, and sheds leaves in the summer. Based on the Persian cyclamen, many hybrid varieties for indoor floriculture have been bred.

European

European cyclamen among indoor flowers is much less common. It has some differences from the Persian species. The size of the leaves is three to four centimeters. Besides, down side leaflets has magenta hue. Its flowers are smaller, and the size of the petals does not exceed two centimeters. Flowers are white, red or pink. The main difference between European cyclamen is the flowering period. It blooms from May to September, and it does not have a pronounced dormant period with drying of the leaves. Of course, in summer it is desirable to keep it at a temperature not higher than 25 degrees and in diffused sunlight.

Cretan

Cretan cyclamen is found naturally on the island of Crete. Is different small size. Flowers are white and pink.

Kossky (photo by Andrey Pomidorov)

Kos cyclamen is found in the Caucasus. A low plant reaches only ten centimeters in height, it can winter under the snow. White or pink-red flowers have dark spots at the base of the petals.

Ivy (Neapolitan)

Ivy cyclamen has a second name - Neapolitan. It differs from other species in that flowers appear first, and then leaves.

Care rules

Lighting

Cyclamen does not like straight lines. sun rays, so it is better to place it on the northern, western and eastern windows. In winter, when the amount of light decreases, it can be moved to the southwest or southeast windows.

During the dormant period, the pot with the tuber is placed in a shaded cool room. It can be a shaded place on the balcony, terrace. Some people put a pot of tubers under the bathroom for the summer. But at the same time, we must not forget to water the earth once or twice a month. large quantity settled water.

Temperature

Maintenance optimum temperature for cyclamen is the main difficulty in keeping it in an apartment. The most suitable temperature for alpine violets is the range from 14 to 16 degrees Celsius. This is especially important during the flowering period, which falls on heating season. The flower pot must be protected from the dry and hot air of the radiators. In extreme cases, temperatures up to 25 degrees are allowed, but it is necessary to increase the humidity of the air. This will allow the plant to adjust to room temperatures.

At high temperature indoors, cyclamen has a shorter flowering period.

How to water cyclamen

When the room temperature is above 17-18 degrees, it is necessary to increase the humidity. It is not recommended to spray cyclamen. You can spray water into the air around the plant, making sure that the droplets do not fall on the plant. But the best way will place a pot of cyclamen on wet pebbles or expanded clay. In this case, the pot should not stand in the water, otherwise it will lead to rotting of the tubers.

The watering regimen of cyclamen is determined by the period of flower development. During the period of the appearance of leaves and flowering, watering is done more often to prevent the earthen coma from drying out. Watering is carried out with settled water with a temperature a couple of degrees below room temperature. With the onset of wilting of the leaves, the amount and frequency of watering is reduced. During the dormant period, a rare watering with a small amount of water is carried out. Water along the edge of the pot to prevent moisture from getting on the tuber. Watering a flowering plant is carried out through the pan, pouring out the remaining water after an hour. You can lower the pot into a container of water for fifteen minutes so that the water does not reach the edge of the pot. This method is suitable for a clay pot, the pores of which allow water to pass through. A plant in a plastic pot is watered through the pan.

top dressing

From the moment the leaves appear until the end of the flowering period, cyclamen must be fed. Use complex fertilizers for flowering plants. Perform two top dressings during the month. In summer, during the dormant period, cyclamen is not fertilized.

The soil

Cyclamen prefers light and loose soil, neutral or slightly acidic. If you prepare the mixture yourself, then you need to take sheet and sod land, peat and sand in the same amount. Also suitable for growing cyclamen is another mixture:

• leaf ground (3 hours);
• peat (1 hour);
• sand (1 hour).

You can purchase ready-made earthen mix for tulips or universal primer. AT ready mix it is recommended to add sand or vermiculite to give looseness.

Transfer

The plant is transplanted after the end of the dormant period, when young leaves begin to break through. First you need to choose a pot according to the size of the tuber.

Important! The basic rule for choosing a pot is that the diameter should be larger than the size of the tuber, so that two to three centimeters remain between the tuber and the edge of the container.

The bottom of the pot should have holes for water to drain. First, a layer of expanded clay is poured. Then an earthen mixture is poured, which must be heated in the oven for half an hour before planting to kill bacteria. After all, cyclamen tubers are easily susceptible to disease.

The exceptions are diseased plants and recently acquired ones. The tubers are examined for the presence of rot, the rotten parts are cut out, and the cut is sprinkled with crushed activated carbon. Purchased plants plant in soil with plenty of peat to accelerate growth. Therefore, you need to transplant cyclamen into more suitable soil.

Young flowers up to five years old are transplanted annually. Mature plants move into new pot first once every two years and then every three years.

Attention! When planting, the tuber should not be sprinkled with earth. At least a third of the tuber must protrude above ground level, otherwise the plant will die. The exception is the European cyclamen, in which roots form over the entire surface of the tuber. Therefore, it is allowed to sprinkle it with earth, but it cannot be buried deep.

Preparing for a dormant period

Let's pay attention to one subtlety when caring for cyclamen. When the flowers fade, the leaves dry up, they must be removed. Removing faded flowers lengthens the flowering period, encouraging new buds to appear. But be sure to follow this procedure correctly. You can not pick, cut off old flower stalks and leaves. They must be unscrewed near the tuber itself, carefully so as not to damage it. If a "wound" is formed, then it is sprinkled with powdered charcoal (activated) charcoal.

reproduction

For propagation of cyclamen, seeds or the tuber division method are used. Each method has its pros and cons.

Reproduction by seeds

Growing cyclamen from seeds is a long and laborious process. Seeds can be purchased at flower shop or get it yourself. To get seeds from home cyclamen, it is necessary to carry out artificial pollination. To do this, pollen is transferred with a soft brush from one flower to the pistil of another. If there are several alpine violets in the house, then cross-pollination is carried out - pollen is transferred from one flower to another.

The ovary is best formed if pollination is carried out on a sunny morning. In this case, the transfer of pollen is carried out several times, which increases the likelihood of the formation of an ovary. Before pollination, it is recommended to feed the flowers with the following composition: dissolve 1 gram of superphosphate and 0.5 grams of potassium sulfide in one liter of water.

Sow seeds in August, before the start of the growing season. Pre-seeds are poured with a five percent sugar solution. Floating seeds are discarded. Then the remaining seeds are soaked in a solution of zirconium for a day to improve germination.

An earthen mixture is poured into the planting container, consisting of equal parts of peat and leaf ground, or a mixture of peat with vermiculite. The soil is moistened, and seeds are sown on the surface, sprinkling with a thin layer of earth. The container is covered with a film and placed in a shaded place with a temperature of 18 to 20 degrees. Periodically moisten the soil with a spray bottle and ventilate. Shoots appear in a month and a half.

After the appearance of the leaves, the film is removed, the seedlings are rearranged to a lighted place without exposure to sunlight. In this case, the temperature should be lower - 15-17 degrees. In December, the seedlings have two or three leaves and a small nodule is formed. They can be transplanted with a pick into a new mixture, which is made up of two parts of leafy soil, one part of peat and sand in a half dose. When transplanting, the tubers are sprinkled with earth. Dive seedlings are fertilized with complex fertilizers in a half dose a week after transplantation. Before the onset of the dormant period (second half of spring), the seedlings are transplanted into separate pots, already leaving a third of the tubers protruding from the ground.

From the moment of sowing to flowering, 13-15 months pass. Plants grown from own seeds acclimatize better than seedlings from purchased seeds.

Reproduction by tubers

Most flower growers at home propagate cyclamen by dividing tubers. During the dormant period, the tuber is removed from the pot, divided into several parts. There will be as many parts as there are growth points on the mother tuber. The slices are dried a little, sprinkled with powder from activated carbon or Kornevin. Then the parts are planted in separate containers in the usual mixture for cyclamen. Its composition has been given above.

With the seeming simplicity of this method of reproduction, the death of both the new plant and the mother tuber is often observed. Cut tubers are susceptible to rot.

Diseases and pests

At good care cyclamen pleases owners with its flowers for many years. But violations in care, non-compliance with watering and temperature conditions lead to various diseases. The table shows the main problems in growing cyclamen.

For cyclamen, a great danger is fungal diseases, which often lead to the death of the flower. The infection most often enters through contaminated soil.

The main fungal diseases of cyclamen

Among the pests of cyclamen, the main enemies are aphids, mites and thrips. To combat them, insecticides are used, which are widely available on the market.

Conclusion

Alpine violet, blooming in the cold season, gives good mood, the joy of contemplation beautiful flowers with a delicate aroma. Do not be afraid of difficulties in growing cyclamen, and it will decorate your window sills in winter.

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