THE HOME GARDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 10 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN

Hints for Amateur Growers of Cyclamen

How to Treat Plants After Flowering

T>Y the end of September it will be. noticed tha; the blooms of cyclamen are dwindling in number, and failing in quality. The foiiage, too, will have lost its lustre and be turning yellow. Do not neglect them because of this. They have given unstinted bloom for several months and are deserving of a rest. Many people watch with regret the slowlyfading beauty of their favourite winter deeoratijn plants, and wonder if they will llower again another season. Certainly they will flower again, or rather, should do so. Consistent seasonal production of bloom is their naturfd function. Whether they return to their former beauty depends on the grower and his treatment of them. When flowering ceases, continue to remove the fading blooms and decaying foliage by giving them a sharp jerk with the hand, making sure that the stems come ckanly away from the corm. Cyclamen now nearing tho end of their flowering period aro of course losing vigour, tliereforo cease to administer. any sti nulant that may have been applied from time to time, and water less frequently. By November, •when tho plan;s should be shedding ihe last of th-jir foliage, watering should cease altogether. _ Do not place the plants in a dark, airless shed or leave under the greenhouse staging where they will catch water constantly dripping from above, but convey them to a cool, shady spot outside, where they may bo left in perfect safety, with the pots on their sides to prevent becoming waterlogged by any heavy rains that fall. It is quite likely that the amateur grower, not having an unlimited supply of pots, will require to use the pots for some other plant during tho summer

months. In this case the cyclamen may be knocked out of the pots. Gently remove tho soil, and place the corms in shallow boxes of light soil, sand or peat, leaving the crowns exposed. For tho next month or two little or no attention will bo required beyond an occasional light sprinkle of water to keep tho corms plump. This dormant period of the cyclamen is a good deal shorter than that of most plants of a similar character, and as soon as the tiny green shoots begin to appear, which will bo about January or February, thoso which have been left in tho pots should be placed upright, and sprinkled morning and evening' until repotted. Similar treatment will suit tho corms in boxes. Two methods may be suggested for the corms in pots; both are equally good. One is to remove them from tho soil they aro in at present and repot into receptacles of convenient size. Ihe other method is to soak tho old soil thoroughly as it stands in tho pot, in a weak solution of manure water, and later, remove this and the corm bodily and repot into a larger pot. \Vliicnever method is adopted, pot firmly and leave tho corm well elovated. > Cold frames facing south are ideal positions for the summer quarters, and after giving a good watering, keep the frames closed for a day or two, and apply some shading to the glass, either light scrim or a coating of whitewash. Cvclamen love shade and moisture; or rather, to bo precise, they love a damp, humid' atmosphere. . The reputation they have for being fond of moisture has caused a good many enthusiasts to over water them. Their root requirements are just normal in this respect. It is their foliage and tho atmosphere in which they live at tho growing period of tho year that must "be kept thoroughly damp by constant spraying. A tendency to dry conditions will encourage that pest of cyclamen known as thrips, which breed and thrive in a dry atmosphere.