One of the most important factors in the care of cyclamen at home, along with watering, is timely dosed top dressing of a flower.
The application of the necessary fertilizers during a certain period greatly influences the development and condition of the plant, as well as the abundance of its flowering.
From our article you will learn why it is necessary to feed the plant and what means are best for this.
General irrigation recommendations
In this section, we find out the general rules and recommendations for irrigating cyclamen. So what you need to know:
- Although the flower loves humid air, but excessively pouring it with water is strictly prohibited.
- There is no exact time frame in irrigation, therefore, in order to understand when it needs to be done, it is recommended to check the soil with your fingers, that is, stick it inside the ground. If the finger is completely dry, then it's time to water.
- Every gardener should know that watering a flower is by no means impossible from above. To wet the leaves, stalks, flowers is prohibited, as this can lead to the development of fungal diseases.
- In order not to harm the plant, it is necessary to pour water gently along the edge of the pot or place the pot in a large container with water. Thus, the cyclamen absorbs a sufficient amount of moisture and the liquid does not fall on the flower itself.
- Especially important to properly water during flowering. For a good and long flowering should carefully monitor the condition of the soil. It should not dry out and be overly hydrated.
- In the summer, when the plant passes a period of rest, watering is done once every 2-3 weeks. You can find more information about caring for cyclamen during and after flowering - during the resting phase - here.
The importance of proper fertilizer
Cyclamen instantly reacts to bad care. This is clearly visible on the deformation of the leaves. They curl and turn yellow. Spots also appear on them, and sometimes a plant can completely lose foliage ahead of time. Another indicator is a weak flowering or lack thereof (why cyclamen does not bloom and how it can be fixed is described in detail here). All these signs suggest that the flower is sick and began to rot. Fertilizers with a high nitrogen content could lead to this.
Proper fertilizer is very important for the flower. It affects:
- flowering plants;
- shade of leaves;
- terms of falling foliage.
Suitable fertilizers are ready mix for indoor and flowering plants. You should not choose additives that contain nitrogen, as it can lead to rotting and further death of the flower.
What is required fertilizing during flowering?
Top dressing is necessary for cyclamen in order for it to develop properly. Special fertilizers or complex fertilizers are used as fertilizers.
Attention! It is important to remember that in the summer you should not abuse feedings. They are held rarely and in small quantities. During flowering, the optimal frequency of fertilizing is 1-2 times per month. As a fertilizer take a liquid drug called "Floretta".
You should not use top dressing with chlorine. Since the flower has a negative attitude towards salts, cyclamen should be fertilized with mineral preparations carefully and in small doses. If the plant was planted with seeds, you need to know that when the first sprouts appear, cyclamen needs additional fertilizer growth. After 5-6 months, the transplanted flower begins to fertilize.
What tools to use at home?
Fertilizers are required to be made during flowering and growth. Often take a mixture with a high content of potassium. Fertilizing do every two weeks when watering. Fundamental rules:
If you need to feed a young plant, you should minimize the amount of mineral fertilizers.- During seed formation and leaf development, mineral microfertilizers are added under cyclamen.
- While growing cyclamen advised to make calcium nitrate.
- Starting from August, it is necessary to reduce the amount of nitrogen in solutions in order to prevent bulbs from rotting.
- In order to prevent the accumulation of salts in the soil, fertilizing is done only in the watered soil.
- The first feeding is allowed after the appearance of sprouts on the flower.
- Fertilizing can be extremely healthy cyclamen.
- The regulation of fertilization depends on the composition of the soil. If the flower is planted in a special soil mixture, then it does not need additional dressing (what kind of soil is better for cyclamen, we told here).
- During the dormant period, do not feed the plant more often than once every 2-3 weeks.
- You can also make your own fertilizer. For example, take wood ash 3 tablespoons and dilute in one liter of water. This mixture will be saturated with potassium, zinc and phosphorus.
If you need to feed a young plant, you should minimize the amount of mineral fertilizers.- Potassium granules are dissolved in water and cyclamen is poured over several times a month.
- Complex additives are dosed in accordance with the instructions.
Before you apply fertilizer, carefully read the instructions, it says when and how to apply, as well as the dosage. A single case of improper feeding of a flower is unlikely to lead to fatal consequences. But next time you need to be more careful. If you notice that cyclamen has become worse to look after fertilizing, they should immediately stop. Fertilizers may have been selected incorrectly or contain large amounts of nitrogen. In extreme cases, you need to change the soil in a pot with a flower.
Conclusion
Cyclamen likes to take care of him, but any care should be in moderation. A moderate top dressing will strengthen the flower and make the bloom lasting. The most important thing is not to overdo it and observe the proportions of ingredients.
