Hello, human friend. I am your Cyclamen. I feel a bit cramped in my current pot, and my roots are circling the bottom, yearning for more space to stretch and gather nutrients. I sense you wish to help me move to a new home. This is a delicate process, but if we work together, I will thrive and reward you with many more seasons of beautiful, upswept blossoms. Let me guide you through it from my perspective.
Timing is everything for my well-being. The best moment to repot me is when my growth cycle is naturally slowing down. For me, this is usually in late summer or early autumn, as I am just waking up from my summer dormancy. You might notice new little leaves starting to emerge from my tuber. This is my way of telling you I am ready for a fresh start. Please do not repot me when I am in full, glorious bloom; the stress could cause me to drop my flowers and focus all my energy just on surviving the move.
I am particular about my soil. I need a mix that is well-draining and airy, as my tuber is prone to rot if left sitting in wet, heavy soil. A potting mix designed for African Violets or a blend of regular potting soil with some perlite and a handful of coarse sand is perfect for me. My new pot should only be one size larger than my current one—a pot that is too large will hold too much moisture around my roots. Most importantly, ensure the new pot has excellent drainage holes. A layer of small stones or broken pottery at the bottom will help keep those holes clear.
Please be gentle. Water me lightly a day before the move; this will make it easier to slide me out and will ensure I am not thirsty for the journey. Tip my current pot sideways, support my base, and carefully coax me out. You will see my roots; they might be a bit tangled. Loosen them very delicately with your fingers. This encourages them to grow outward into their new space instead of continuing to circle. If you see any roots that are dark, mushy, or smell bad, you can trim those away with clean, sharp scissors.
Place a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the new pot. Now, position me in the center. Here is a crucial detail about me: I like to sit high. My tuber should rest just at or slightly above the soil line, not buried deeply. If I am planted too deep, I will be susceptible to rot. Once I am positioned correctly, fill in around the sides with more of your prepared soil mix, gently firming it to eliminate large air pockets but not compacting it too tightly.
After the move, give me a thorough but careful watering. Water me around the edges of the pot, avoiding the center of my tuber and my foliage. This helps prevent rot at my crown. Allow the excess water to drain completely away—I never want to sit in a saucer of water. Place me in a cool, bright spot out of direct, harsh sunlight for a week or so to let me recover from the shock and acclimate. Hold off on fertilizing for about a month to let my roots settle in and seek out the new nutrients themselves.
