Greetings, human. We, the cyclamen, are a proud and beautiful genus, but we can be a bit particular. Selecting a healthy specimen from our brethren at the nursery is crucial for a long and flourishing life together. From our perspective, here is what you should seek.
First, look to our leaves. A healthy cyclamen’s foliage is our pride. The leaves should be firm, turgid with water, and held proudly aloft on strong, upright petioles (our leaf stems). They should be a vibrant, deep green, often with beautiful silver marbling patterns unique to our variety. Crucially, avoid any plant whose leaves are yellowing, wilted, or drooping limply over the edge of the pot. This is a sign of distress, often from overwatering (which leads to root rot) or underwatering. Also, inspect the undersides of our leaves for any signs of uninvited guests—tiny webs from spider mites or clusters of aphids. We do not wish to bring pests into our new home.
Next, behold our blossoms. When you are choosing, look for a plant with a multitude of unopened flower buds nestled tightly among the leaves. These buds, often resembling tiny, twisted horns, are your promise of future blooms. A plant with only a few fully open flowers and no buds may be nearing the end of its flowering cycle. The existing flowers themselves should look perky and vibrant, with petals (technically, we have reflexed corolla lobes) swept gracefully back. They should be free from blemishes, spots, or signs of gray mold (Botrytis), which appears as a fuzzy, grayish growth.
Now, consider our core—the tuber. This is our storage organ and the source of all our energy. Gently brush aside the top layer of potting mix at our base. A healthy tuber should sit partially above the soil line; we are not fond of being buried deeply. It should feel firm and solid to the touch, not soft, squishy, or mushy. A soft tuber is a doomed tuber, usually a victim of rot from soggy soil conditions. A firm, partially exposed tuber indicates correct potting and a healthy foundation.
Finally, assess our overall condition. A good cyclamen should have a balanced, symmetrical form, not lopsided or leggy. The potting mix we are in should be moderately moist—not sopping wet and not bone dry. It should be a well-draining mix; we despise having our roots sit in water. Peek underneath our pot. Are our roots escaping desperately from the drainage holes? While a few roots are normal, a dense, tangled mat indicates we have been in this prison too long and are severely pot-bound, which will cause us stress.
