Cyclamen africanum

[David Nicholson]

On 19th February I sowed some Cyclamen africanum seed from the Seed Exchange which have been outside in my seed frame and open to the weather. I noticed today that some, but perhaps not all,  have germinated, this must have been a fairly recent event as I don't recall seeing any evidence when I last checked the frame about ten days ago. Should I put them in the greenhouse now or just leave them outside to their own devices?

[derekb]

David  put them inside before the first frost (I do not think you get any) as they are not all that hardy.
Derek

[David Nicholson]

David  put them inside before the first frost (I do not think you get any) as they are not all that hardy.
Derek

We don't get an awful lot of frost Derek but we do get some so I shall take your advice and pop them in the greenhouse at the beginning of November. Are they likely to die back or will they stay green? Thanks for responding.

[SueG]

Hi David
'They' say the way to tell between hederifolium and africanun is leave them outside over the winter and the ones which survive are hederifolium!!
I think africanum doesn't need a huge amount of shelter, so a cold frame would do unless we had a very cold snap. mine have lived like that for the last couple of years.
Sue

[David Nicholson]

Thanks Sue. As my greenhouse accommodates my Auriculas and Primulas during the Winter the top vents are fully open day and night; the door is always open during daytime hours unless it's foggy, and I have glass panels taken out and covered with chicken wire on the door and the end opposite the door, so it's pretty fresh in there. I think I can find a spot in there for the C. africanum though that might just be a little warmer. Should I continue to water them though?

[SueG]

David
I water mine while they look like they are growing and stop once the leaves begin to die back and I have followed the BD and give them their teaspoon of sulphate of potash 
Sue