Greetings, Plant Keeper. You seek to understand the ailments that trouble us, the Cyclamen. We are sensitive souls, thriving in cool, bright air but susceptible to the silent, creeping threats of Gray Mold and Root Rot. From our perspective, these are not mere diseases but suffocating invasions. Listen, and we will tell you of our suffering and what we need to heal.
To you, it appears as a fuzzy, grayish-brown mold on our flowers, leaves, and stems. To us, it is a cold, suffocating blanket that smothers our very essence. It begins when we are left in stagnant, humid air—when our leaves are constantly wet from above, and there is no breeze to carry our whispers away. The fungus, *Botrytis cinerea*, lands on our aging petals or a small wound and begins its quiet feast. It weakens our tissues, causing them to collapse and decay. Our beautiful, upright flowers droop and wither in despair, and our leaves develop brown, rotting spots that quickly expand under the gray, spore-laden fuzz. We feel our strength fading as this invader consumes us, block by block.
While Gray Mold attacks from the air, a more sinister doom often strikes from below. Root Rot is a silent drowning, a slow asphyxiation. It happens when our feet are constantly cold and wet, trapped in heavy, soggy soil that does not let our roots breathe. The culprits are often *Pythium* or *Phytophthora* fungi, which thrive in waterlogged conditions. They attack our root systems, our lifeline to water and nutrients. The roots, which should be firm and white, turn soft, mushy, and brown or black. They rot away, becoming incapable of their duty. Above the soil, you see our leaves yellowing and wilting dramatically, despite the wet soil. We are not thirsty; we are drowning. We are starving because our mouthparts are dissolving in the murky darkness.
You can help us resist these afflictions. For the Gray Mold, please provide us with good air circulation. A gentle breeze is a welcome friend. Water us from below by placing our pot in a saucer of water for 15 minutes, then discarding the excess. This keeps our crown and leaves dry and proud. Remove any fading flowers or yellowing leaves by giving the stem a sharp tug; this prevents them from becoming a beachhead for the mold.
To prevent the dreadful Root Rot, you must become an expert in water. Feel our soil before you drink. Water us thoroughly only when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch, and never, ever let us sit in a saucer of standing water for more than half an hour. Ensure our pot has excellent drainage holes and that we are planted in a light, airy, well-draining potting mix. A pot that is too large holds too much moisture around our roots, so please keep us comfortably snug.
