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How gardeners can identify false spring, protect their plants
The initial burst of sunshine and warmer temperatures may be a welcome sight, but more often than not, it is a false dawn.
When spring-like temperatures arrive earlier than usual, they are typically followed by wintery conditions, hence the term “false spring.”
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- A petite flower, who loves to cheer up the winter months, is cyclamen.
- This tuberous perennial comes in red, purple and white, as well as pink
- Winter is cyclamen’s season of growing and blooming.
A petite flower, who loves to cheer up the winter months, is cyclamen.
This tuberous perennial comes in red, purple and white, as well as pink. The delicate blooms which rise above the leaves seem to be saying, “Look at me. I’m just here to cheer you up.”
Winter is cyclamen’s season of growing and blooming. It is perfect for our climate as it does not care to grow in direct sunlight or excessive heat. Given bright indirect sunlight and a comfortable house temperature, it can bloom for six to eight weeks.
Cyclamen is easy to care for. Fading flowers can be removed to encourage new blooms and yellowing dead leaves should be plucked off.
Avoid overwatering. Check it once a week to see if the top one inch of soil is dry. That is when it’s time to water
When it stops blooming and the leaves begin to yellow, it is not time to throw it out. Cyclamen is a perennial and if cared for properly, it can thrive for decades.
The plant has a dormancy period in the summer. Come spring, it will stop booming and the leaves will no longer be abundant. That is the time to let the soil dry out and move it to a cool, shady place. You may want to set it outside during the summer, but make sure it is in a shady (preferably cool) area.
In the fall the plant is ready to start growing again. That is when it’s time for the bright indirect sunlight. It will need water now but be careful not to overwater.
Cyclamen does like a certain amount of humidity in the drier winter months. You can make a tray of pebbles sitting in water and place it under the plant (do not have the plant sitting in the water as that can cause root rot.)
Again, overwatering can be a problem. It can create a situation where botrytis (fuzzy gray fungus) will grow. This causes the leaves to turn yellow with brown patches.
Overwatering will also cause wilting or drooping leaves.
Drooping leaves can also appear if the plant is too cold. Make sure the area is free of drafts.
Cyclamen can also become a victim of mites, which cause the leaves to curl, and aphids that will attack new growth.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County answers home and garden questions which can be emailed to homeandgarden@cornell.edu or call 315-736-3394, press 1 and ext. 333. Leave your question, name and phone number. Questions are answered weekdays, 8am to 4pm. Also, visit our website at http://cceoneida.com/ or phone 315-736-3394, press 1 and then ext.100.
