Cyclamen seed tutorial .... see this link...

[Maggi Young]

Folks, please follow this link to a super thread on gathering and  preparing cyclamen seed .........


http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4668.msg125410#msg125410



 

[ArnoldT]

This plant grown from seed from a fellow German member.

[Maggi Young]

Welcome Arnold, good to meet you here.

Your photo, which I have edited to the "standard forum size" (760 pixels max. width)  shows the charm  of the species rather well.
Here in the UK it will be some time before most of us have the pleasure of any cyclamen flowers ..... it is useful to have your location in you signature box, please 

[ArnoldT]

Thanks Maggi:

I grown my bulbs in New Jersey, USA.  These were grown under HID lights in a basement,  This may account for the early flowering.

Arnold
New Jersey

[Maggi Young]

Thank you, Arnold.
The concept and practice of growing under lights, particularly fully under lights in such as a basement or even with some light enhancement in a glass house, is not something of which I have any experience.

[johnw]

Cyclamen purpurascens grown from seed planted December 2008 are just starting to flower. They are grown in a cold (circa +5c at this time of year, max about +17c in summer) basement room under cool white flourescents.  They are certainly lagging behind the hederifoliums which flowered after 9 months. The coums are the slowpokes.

It would seem all the 2008 seedlings should soon go out into natural light, they are slowing down and some leaves are getting distorted - often a signal.

johnw

[maggiepie]

John, do you have any cyclamens planted out in the garden?
Do you think any would be hardy here?

[johnw]

John, do you have any cyclamens planted out in the garden?
Do you think any would be hardy here?

Helen

C. purpurascens would be your best bet.  Seems to be very tough if the drainage is good and it is kept evenly moist, mulched lightly and regularly with cow, leaf mould or pine needles.  Conditions have to be perfect for hederifolium here. C. coum has not been reliable but self sown seedlings come up regularly.  I had C. cilicicum and C. repandum in the garden back in the 70's, the gradually petered out, that might have had more to do with me than them.  All need August treatment for black vine weevil, nematodes seem to work fine.

johnw

[Lori S.]

C. purpurascens is hardy here in zone 3 cold and dry; I haven't found C. coum and C. hederifolium to be hardy (as I've mentioned in other threads).  Nothing in my yard gets winter protection... just not interested in babying anything.