Cyclamen 2013

[cycnich]

@Hans A.
Thanks for your comment. I like your dark-pinkish graecum flower!

@cycnich, @SJW
Yeah, thanks for your info! Perhaps hederifolium "Ruby Glow (Strain)" or "Red Sky" could be good substitutes in the meantime?

yes ruby glow,rossenteppich and Jans dark purple will produce some amazing coloured plants, not sure about red sky, I have tried for seed but with no success so far but all of these will key out to purple on the rhs colour chart and not red as the corfu plants did, but be patient it will happen.

[Mark Griffiths]

Nothing like as dark or bold as the hederifoliums we are discussing but I rather liked this africanum I got from Wisely. The other one is from Tilebarn, flowers tend to be a little floppy.

[ashley]

Some Cyclamen leaves
The first two are old Wye College small flowered persicum hybrids. 

Very beautiful foliage Roma.

Lovely africanums too Mark.  Exchange seed received as such 2-3 years ago has given me a very pleasing variety of both foliage and flowers.

Can someone please remind me how best to distinguish africanum from hederifolium (from hybrids), short of leaving them out in the cold?

[SJW]

Can someone please remind me how best to distinguish africanum from hederifolium (from hybrids), short of leaving them out in the cold?

Ashley, the standard differences are that africanum roots from all over the tuber while hederifolium roots from the sides and the top; africanum leaves are more like confusum ie thicker, larger; and africanum flowers arise straight up from the tuber whereas hederifolium tends to send them out sideways before growing up (elbowed). Whether the plants themselves remember to follow these 'rules' is a moot point! 

[SJW]

So far this year the few flowers that have fallen off have gone floppy and will produce no seed so have been removed,I am hoping for a breezy sunny day when a few late insects are around when I am not at work to put them outside and let nature take its course, it is very frustrating.

Yes, it's really frustrating when the flower falls off and the stem keels over and turns to mush. Anyway, we've all got our fingers crossed for you, Pat. No pressure, then!
And it could be worse. Imagine how the custodians of the somalense plants must feel...

[ashley]

Many thanks Steve.  Having several differences to cross-check is more convincing when individual plants are 'indeterminate' by one criterion alone.

[Gerry Webster]

Years ago I was told (or read) that seed set on cyclamen could be improved by taking plants for a drive. I've never tried; do people still believe this?

[Naoto The Zombie]

@Mark
Nice cyclamens!

Yes, it's really frustrating when the flower falls off and the stem keels over and turns to mush.

So I'm not the only one.......

[Maggi Young]

Years ago I was told (or read) that seed set on cyclamen could be improved by taking plants for a drive. I've never tried; do people still believe this?

I do think that some gentle vibration to a plant pot can work wonders to achieve pollination in plants that are reluctant  to set seed. .........

[fenius]

Beautiful photos everyone!!
I have these three cyclamens and I was hoping someone here could help identify them, two pink and one turned out white



ps, I see the logic in shaking them up a bit !! A drive is not like taking them dancing after all

[ashley]

I do think that some gentle vibration to a plant pot can work wonders to achieve pollination in plants that are reluctant  to set seed. .........

I'd agree Maggi.  For cyclamen grown under glass, lightly tapping the flower stems over several days works very well when insects are scarce.  The only exception I've found is C. mirabile under damp conditions such as we've had recently.  Perhaps coincidentally this species also seems the most susceptible to botrytis, making it essential to pick off fading blooms regularly. 

[ian mcenery]

I'd agree Maggi.  For cyclamen grown under glass, lightly tapping the flower stems over several days works very well when insects are scarce.  The only exception I've found is C. mirabile under damp conditions such as we've had recently.  Perhaps coincidentally this species also seems the most susceptible to botrytis, making it essential to pick off fading blooms regularly.

I have the same issue and always tap the flowers but I think the conditions do have to be right. If I see pollen falling on to the  leaves it can work but if not.............................. 

Confusum and has almost been impossible this year in pots but we shall see how it fairs in the garden. Success  has also varied from plant to plant in other species

[Mark Griffiths]

Fenius, they look like C.hederifolium to me but not the usual form, could be ssp crassense perhaps? Are they scented? Where did you get them from?

[jshields]

I do think that some gentle vibration to a plant pot can work wonders to achieve pollination in plants that are reluctant  to set seed. .........

A drive in the country is probably less likely to spread disease than my pollination technique -- tapping the flowers from below with a finger.  My method, however, can be used to cross two or more separate individuals.  Just be sure to wash your fingers well before starting and avoid tapping any sick flowers.

Jim

[Gerry Webster]

I have the same issue and always tap the flowers but I think the conditions do have to be right. If I see pollen falling on to the  leaves it can work but if not.............................. 

Tapping never works here - even when pollen is falling. Hence my question.