cyclamen

[Ladygardener]

I was wondering how everyone increases their number of these lovely plants. I've been reading that the seeds can take over 200 days to germinate Bit too long for me to look after them in a pot and just letting them grow undisturbed where they fall is'nt an option for me as space is at too much of a premium with my small garden. So I'd say growing from seeds is'nt an option but I'd like to know if anyone else has.
I 've got several in bloom at the moment, they were bought blooming in september I just deadhead them and they keep on blooming. Can they be split in springtime and if so will they go on to flower next year does anyone know? Some are planted in the border and others are outside on the windowledge.

[Tig]

I've never managed to keep them long enough to split lng - or take seeds from them

Hopefully someone else will be more adept with them, and able to give you an answer.

x Tig

[Amo]

I've only had a couple of cyclamen propagate themselves. I have a few I've planted in flower in this garden and every year I eagerly wait to see if the little spent flower spirals it's way down into the soil and hope that they take if they do!! I think perhaps, it is still easier to just buy the plants in flower and carry on hoping!! ;D

[Ladygardener]

Tig, are they not long dooers then? I suppose I don't mind if they only last one season really as they're so lovely and working hard at the moment.
Well done for getting some to propagate and flower for you Amo. Did you let them germinate where they fell/buried themselves or did you sow the seeds yourself?

[Amo]

They did it all themselves. I noticed that the tiny new leaves on a couple were still attached to mum by the stem umbilical cord!

I suppose it's a bit like a lot of the plants, if you buy enough of them eventually, hopefully(!), they start doing their own thing. They have to be in the right spot too. Mine were in a woodland type area and used to become swamped with fallen leaves. They always showed through again. I'm making sure my new ones have a good dose of leaf mould!! ;D

[andy]

I have some hardy cyclamen at work and they seed so much that they can become invasive. Im forever hoeing off cyclamen seedlings !!!

The seeds germinate in late spring....about 8 months after being set and grow quickly. One thing cyclamen seeds don't like is warm, dry conditions. if you grow them artificially, keep them cool, moist and shaded.

Good luck

[Cheerypeabrain]

I have a few planted in my fern bed where they love it. I only planted about 7 two years ago and they're spreading nicely. The new plantlets I've seen haven't flowered yet...but hopefully they will eventually. I also have some plants in tubs, deep red cyclamen look gorgeous against the silver foliage of cineraria silver dust. ;D

[Ladygardener]

Thank you all for your kind support and advice. ;D Amo I saw an old gardeners world once where Carol was showing the curly little seed pods and I was facinated, it was just the type of area you've got yours.
CPB/Andy I wonder would it be worthwhile letting the ones in the pots self seed beside the mother plant. There would be a bit of room for them there and I could control the environment better.

[andy]

Nov 15, 2008 9:22:05 GMT Ladygardener said:

CPB/Andy I wonder would it be worthwhile letting the ones in the pots self seed beside the mother plant. There would be a bit of room for them there and I could control the environment better.

Yeah...you could always let them germinate then just prick them off into pots and grow then on for a year until they're ready to plant somewhere else.

[Cheerypeabrain]

[Ladygardener]

They're a lovely combination CPB and very much paler in the leaves than mine.
Thanks Andy, I think I'll try and do that and see if I have any success.