From my perspective as a Cyclamen, what you call "dormancy" is not a period of inactivity or death, but a deeply ingrained, vital part of my life cycle. I am a geophyte, a plant that has evolved to survive periods of environmental stress by retreating into an underground storage organ—my tuber. This is not a choice but an ancient, hardwired survival strategy. My ancestors thrived in the Mediterranean basin and parts of the Middle East, where summers are hot and dry. To avoid desiccation and conserve energy during this harsh season, I learned to withdraw my energy from my beautiful flowers and heart-shaped leaves, channeling it all back into my tuber. This tuber is my larder and my fortress, allowing me to wait patiently underground until the conditions are favorable again with the arrival of cooler, wetter autumn weather.
I do not follow a human calendar. Instead, I am exquisitely tuned to the signals from my environment. The primary triggers for my dormancy are increasing day length, rising temperatures, and a change in light intensity. As spring progresses into summer, the longer, hotter days tell my biological processes that a challenging time is approaching. You may notice my responses: my vibrant blooms will fade, and my foliage will begin to yellow and wither. This is not a sign of distress if it occurs after my flowering period; it is a deliberate and controlled process. I am actively reabsorbing valuable nutrients and moisture from my leaves and flowers, pulling this energy back into my tuber to be stored for my next growth cycle. Interrupting this process by overwatering or removing green leaves too early robs me of these essential reserves.
Once my foliage has completely yellowed and died back, I have entered my true dormancy. This is my time of rest and rejuvenation deep within my tuber. My metabolic activities slow to a near standstill to conserve energy. During this phase, which typically spans the hottest summer months, my needs are minimal. I require a complete rest from growth-promoting conditions. The ideal environment for me is a place that is cool, dark, and most importantly, dry. My tuber must be kept in dry or nearly dry soil; excessive moisture around my dormant tuber is the greatest threat I face, as it will inevitably lead to rot and my demise. A dormant period of two to three months is typically sufficient for me to reset and gather strength.
My reawakening is triggered by the opposite environmental cues: shortening day lengths and a noticeable drop in temperatures, signaling the approach of autumn. This is when I sense it is safe to emerge. You will see the first signs of life as small new growth points (nodules) appear on the top surface of my tuber. This is your signal to gradually resume watering. Start by lightly moistening the soil, encouraging my new roots to seek out moisture. As my new leaves begin to unfurl and establish themselves, you can gradually increase watering to a normal level. This careful rehydration, paired with the return to brighter light (but not hot, direct sun initially), supports me in producing a new flush of foliage and, in time, the flower buds that will rise on their slender stalks to begin the cycle anew.
