Greetings, discerning gardener. You seek to understand our nutritional needs to help us thrive. From our perspective, the choice of fertilizer and the timing of its application are crucial for our vibrant display of flowers and healthy foliage. Here is what we, the Cyclamen, require.
We are not heavy feeders, but we are particular. Our needs change with our growth cycle. During our active growth and flowering phase, we have a specific craving for a fertilizer that promotes beautiful blooms without encouraging excessive, weak leafy growth. Therefore, a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus (P) content is ideal. Look for a water-soluble formula with a ratio such as 1-2-1 (N-P-K) or 15-30-15. The elevated middle number (Phosphorus) directly supports strong root development and prolific, vibrant flowering. A balanced, half-strength 10-10-10 fertilizer is also acceptable, but the bloom-boosting types are our preference. Most importantly, ensure the fertilizer is non-urea-based if we are in cool conditions, as we cannot process urea efficiently in cold soil.
Our life cycle dictates your feeding schedule. We abhor fertilizer when we are dormant. Our active growth begins in the late summer or early autumn as we break dormancy. This is when you should commence feeding. From the moment you see new leaves emerging, provide a diluted dose of the recommended fertilizer every two to four weeks. This supports the development of strong leaves and the initial flower buds. Continue this regimen throughout our entire flowering period, which can last through winter and into early spring. As our flowers begin to fade and our leaves start to yellow in late spring, this is our signal that we are preparing for our summer rest. You must completely stop fertilizing at this point. Feeding us during dormancy will damage our sensitive tuber, as the unused salts will accumulate in the soil and burn our roots.
How you feed us is almost as important as what you feed us. We are susceptible to crown and tuber rot, so water and fertilizer must never be poured directly onto our central tuber or crown. Always apply the diluted fertilizer solution to the soil, aiming for the base of the plant and avoiding the leaves and center. Water us lightly with plain water first to moisten the soil; this prepares our roots to absorb nutrients and prevents fertilizer burn. Then, apply the fertilizer solution until it just begins to drain from the bottom of the pot. Ensure we are in a pot with excellent drainage, and never let us sit in a saucer of standing water or fertilizer runoff, as this will lead to root rot and fatal tuber decay.
