Caring for alpine violet: cyclamen has faded, what to do next?

Flowering indoor cyclamen - a magical sight. Bright tender moths fluttering over the green cap of leaves, the snow-white flowers on the stems like swan necks did not leave indifferent even the wise Solomon.

The legend tells that the alpine violet served as a prototype of his crown. This is another name for the plant. There is an opinion among lovers of floriculture that it is impossible to achieve the luxurious flowering of your cyclamen on a window sill, without creating special conditions. In fact, if you fulfill several uncomplicated conditions, the Alpine violet will decorate the house during the winter months.

When and how often does a houseplant dissolve?

Old books about indoor plants tell us that the flowering of alpine violet begins in November and ends in April. Practice shows that some plants do not stop opening buds even in the summer months. What is the reason for this discrepancy?

Growing Cyclamen - a highly profitable crop industry. The desire to make a profit, regardless of the season, stimulates breeders to develop new species and varieties.

Features disclosure buds

Cyclamen plants flower buds only after it has developed a strong root system and enough leaves.

The process of growing and accumulating the necessary supply of nutrients for flowering and obtaining cyclamen seeds can last from six to eighteen months. The duration of this period depends on the conditions of the plant.

From flower buds grow long flower stalks, topped with buds similar to the bird's head. Revealing, they resemble a crown of five petals. There are simple and double flowers in different shades.. In healthy plants, the floral cap always rises above the leaves.

After pollination formed seed boxes. The duration of their maturation is from two to four months. The plant tends to place the seeds closer to the ground, so the flower stalks are bent, and in European species they twist into beautiful spirals.

Care during flowering

When caring for flowering cyclamen, you need to provide:

1. Sufficient lighting. During this period, alpine violet needs the maximum amount of light. South windows - the best place for a flowering plant. In the northern rooms must use fitolampy.
2. Temperature. The optimum temperature of the content in the active period is 15 degrees Celsius.
3. Soil moisture. For irrigation cyclamen use separated water at room temperature. Water is poured into a pan or strictly on the edge of the pot. Do not allow the corms to get wet. This threatens the emergence of root rot and death of the plant.

   For good flowering in the phase of active growth, the earth must be constantly maintained in a moderately wet state.

How to care at home when it blooms?

With proper care at home, cyclamen is able to please fans with its flowering for 15 years.

Basic requirements for growing:

1. Lighting. The name Alpine Violet, suggests that the plant for photosynthesis requires as much bright light as possible. There are three important periods of insolation change:
   • September - mid-April: the plant blooms on the southern windows without shelter. Winter sun is safe for plants.
   • April - May: requires shading at midday hours.
   • June - September: permanent protection from direct sunlight.

2. Temperature conditions. Experience shows that cyclamens growing on verandas, without damage, tolerate temperatures from +5 to +35 degrees. But the comfortable range is within +12 - +20 degrees. Ideal flowering conditions - maintaining the air temperature not higher than 15 degrees Celsius.

3. The soil. Cyclamens are grown in light, moisture-absorbing substrates of neutral acidity. Florists use ready-made soils with a high content of peat, coconut fiber, sand and perlite. Suitable soil mixtures intended for the cultivation of gloxinia and Saint baroque violets. Transplanted plants at the beginning of the period of active growth, before the appearance of peduncles.
   When transferring plants to a larger pot, it is necessary that the new soil be close in composition to the previous one. Otherwise, it is difficult to observe uniform moistening of the roots.
4. Watering. The best way to water a plant during active growth is to submerge the pot in half in a container with distilled water. This method allows you to evenly moisten earthen room, avoiding the ingress of water on the corm. In the period of rest watering sharply reduced.

5. Top dressing. The ratio of basic mineral substances in fertilizers for cyclamen N: P: K = 1: 0.7: 2. Once a month it is recommended to make preparations containing boron and iron.

   Fertilizers are used only in the active phase of the annual life cycle of the plant.

6. Pest protection. Alpine violet is attacked by phytophagous insects.

   With thrips, cyclamen mite and other pests are fought using contact, systemic insecticides, as well as biological preparations.

7. Disease control. Irregularities in watering - the main cause of fungal diseases of the leaves, corm and root system of the plant. Fungicidal drugs help cure cyclamen.

What to do after when resting?

What to do next when the plant has faded?

After flowering, the plant begins a phase of rest. There are many myths and misunderstandings associated with this crucial period. The opinion has taken root that at this time cyclamen drops all leaves, dries roots, and should be in a cool, dark place with high humidity. It is also stated that a plant that is not rested in this way will not bloom.

Practice shows that there are several types of resting alpine violet:

1. Within 30 - 40 days after flowering, all the leaves turn yellow and die off the plant. Growth points dry up. On a bare tuber, small aerial roots may form.
2. Some green and elastic leaves remain on the plant. All points of growth freeze.
3. On the tuber there are both dried buds and active ones. There is a very weak increase in new leaves.

The duration of cyclamen rest depends on the conditions of detention and variety. It can last from two weeks to two months.

How to keep in a dormant period

It is very important to properly care for the plant at rest.:

1. No need to remove the plants in a dark cool place, because lowering the temperature is a signal for the plant to start a new active phase. The plant will grow, it will be exposed to a room with a high temperature, it will fail in biological rhythms and may die.

   Cyclamen is left in the same room, removing from the window sill. This allows you to observe and care for the plant.

2. The intensity of watering depends on the appearance of the plant.:
   • Naked corms poured with a small amount of water on the edge of the pot, once every 5-7 days. It is important to prevent excess moisture, because the lack of leaves makes evaporation difficult. Full drying of the earthy coma will be detrimental to living roots.
   • Cyclamens with preserved foliage, watered moderately.

3. Fertilizers do not apply until the active awakening of plants.

Conclusion

After the end of the rest period, the alpine violet will bloom again, and a flock of colorful moths will flit over the window-sills, despite the autumn rain or the snow-white winter drifts outside. Growing a cyclamen is a creative and exciting activity, so it’s not surprising that cyclamen lovers collections include dozens of green pets.

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