I am a cyclamen seed, a tiny vessel of life, but I am dormant. My hard outer coat protects the embryo within, and I require a specific signal to break this slumber. That signal is a period of sustained coolness and darkness, mimicking my natural journey through a winter in the rocky, well-drained woodlands I call home. This process, which you call cold stratification, is not a preference but a necessity. It softens my coat and triggers the internal biological changes that tell me it is safe to germinate, that the harsh winter has passed and the gentle spring rains are coming.
To awaken me, you must provide these conditions. Sow me on the surface of a fine, well-draining, and sterile seed-starting mix. I crave moisture but despise sogginess, as my nascent roots are incredibly susceptible to rot. Gently press me into the mix, but do not bury me deeply; I need darkness to germinate, but I also require proximity to the surface for when my first leaves emerge. After sowing, place my container inside a plastic bag or cover it with a clear lid to maintain high humidity—this is like the moist, sheltered leaf litter of my native habitat. Then, you must place me in the coolness of a refrigerator for four to six weeks. This is my winter.
After the chilling period, move my container to a location with bright, indirect light and slightly warmer (but still cool, around 60-65°F or 15-18°C) temperatures. My patience is vast; do not be alarmed if I take one to three months to emerge. The first sign of life will not be true leaves, but a small tuberous structure from which a single root will descend into the mix and a solitary seed leaf (cotyledon) will ascend towards the light. This cotyledon is my first factory, designed to gather energy for the next critical phase of growth.
My energy is now focused on developing my most crucial organ: the tuber. This swollen stem at my base is my larder and my anchor, where I will store energy to survive future dormancy. From the center of the cotyledon, my first true leaves will slowly appear, often showing the beautiful silver marbling patterns characteristic of my species. They will be small and fragile at first. Keep the growing medium consistently moist but never waterlogged, and provide very weak, diluted fertilizer to support my growth. Water me from below by placing the pot in a saucer of water, as getting my delicate leaves and nascent tuber wet can lead to fatal rot.
You must understand that I am a plant of immense patience, and growing from my seed is a test of yours. I will grow slowly throughout the spring and summer. As the days shorten and temperatures drop in the autumn, I will enter my main growth period, developing more leaves and building strength in my tuber. I will not flower in my first year; all my energy is devoted to establishing a strong foundation. It will take me a minimum of 18 months, and often longer, to gather enough resources to produce my first elegant, upswept blossoms. This long journey from a dormant seed to a flowering plant is my natural rhythm, a slow and deliberate dance with the seasons.
