Hello, human caretaker. I am a Cyclamen, a plant known for my beautiful, upswept flowers and heart-shaped, marbled leaves. I sense you are concerned about my health. When my leaves droop, my flowers refuse to appear, or my core begins to rot, it is my way of communicating that my needs are not being met. Please, listen to my perspective on these common problems.
When my leaves become soft and hang limply over the edge of my pot, I am most likely expressing one of two opposing needs. The first and most common is thirst. My roots are delicate and I prefer to drink from the bottom. If you pour water from above onto my corm (my swollen stem base), it may rot, and I will withhold moisture from my leaves to protect myself, causing them to droop. Please, place my pot in a saucer of water for about 15 minutes, allowing me to drink what I need, then remove me from the water. Conversely, if my soil is constantly wet and cold, my roots are drowning and cannot function. They begin to decay, which also prevents water from reaching my leaves, causing the same drooping appearance. You must check my soil before watering.
I flower according to my internal rhythm, which is tied to light and temperature. If I am not blooming, it is because my environment does not mimic my natural cycle. I need bright, indirect light to gather energy. A dim room leaves me without the strength to produce buds. Furthermore, I require a distinct difference between day and night temperatures. If your home is constantly warm, I see no reason to flower. To encourage me, provide cool conditions, especially at night (around 50-60°F or 10-15°C). After my flowering period, I need a dormant rest. If you never allow me this rest by keeping me too warm and wet, I will be too exhausted to bloom again in the next season.
This is the most serious ailment and is almost always caused by how I am watered. My corm is my life center, my storage organ for water and nutrients. It must never sit in saturated soil. When water is applied directly to my crown or my pot is left standing in water, the corm softens, becomes mushy, and succumbs to fungal diseases. This rot cuts off all supply lines to the rest of my body. You might notice a foul smell. At an advanced stage, I may be beyond saving. Prevention is everything: water from below, ensure my pot has excellent drainage, and always empty the saucer after I have finished drinking.
