Hardy Cyclamen is easy to Plant
Soil Preparation
Hardy cyclamen will grow in most any soil except for the wet soggy kind. They prefer a loose, well drained, soil. That is easily accomplished by adding compost and mulch. The hardy cyclamen corm roots are very shallow, and the corm increases yearly in size, mulch and compost provide both the drainage they need and a loose soil condition for the expansion process. Soil ph is not a problem as they tolerate both acid and alkaline soils. Hardy cyclamen generally grow just under the surface of the soil but C. hederifolium can be planted at depths of six inches or more. I would plant them at a depth that takes into account the soil conditions, severity of cold and moisture during the winter. Deeper in cold areas and shallower in warm very wet winters. As an example, when planting in the compacted soil under a tree, you might need to plant them very shallow and provide a heavier cover of mulch to protect them.
How to Plant Hardy Cyclamen Corms
Corms are most easily planted while in their dormant state. They can be transplanted while in growth but the mass of roots and tangle of stems make it more difficult. With the soil prepared place the corm deep enough so that there is at least 1 inch of soil covering them. It is important to plant the dormant corms right side up. Some corms may be difficult to distinguish top from bottom. The top side of the tuber usually is rough, bumpy or has nodules, this is where roots and the stems will sprout from. The bottom is round and very smooth. An examination of these features will help determine which end is up. The proper distance to place them depends on the size of the corm and how long they will remain in place. If they will be undisturbed, plant each corm about one foot apart. Dormant corms will grow roots if the soil has a little moisture available so I usually water them in after planting, letting the soil become almost fully dry before watering again. Water is important during the seasons of growth, Fall, Winter, and Spring but nature usually provides plenty enough moisture in those seasons.
How to Start Hardy Cyclamen from Seed
Patience is the greatest requirement to get blooming corms from seed. Fresh seeds are usually sown in late summer and early fall. They can be sown outdoors in a prepared seed bed or indoors in a growing pot or flat. I recommend starting them indoors as conditions are more easily controlled. Outdoor sowing results can be disappointing as they are so small they can get lost and forgotten. Under average conditions, most corms will bloom in their third year. The seed should be prepared by soaking them overnight in a cup of warm water, with a couple drops of liquid dish soap added to it. Cyclamen seeds need darkness to germinate be sure to cover them with soil.
Starting Seed Outdoors- Outdoors, where the winter is mild they can be sown in late summer or early fall. Where winters are more severe, sow them in spring. Prepare the soil with lots of compost including composted leaves or peat moss, especially in heavy clay soils. Sow the seeds at least 3 inches (7.5cm) apart. Lightly covering them with some peat moss, and keep them moist before and after germination.
Starting Seed Indoors- this is the preferred method and has a higher rate of success to reach blooming size. Seed can be sown in a commercial seed starting mixture or in a mixture of equal parts peat moss and sand. Add a little bone meal if you leave them growing in their starter flat for more than a year. The planted seed should be kept cool and moist, maintaining temperatures at 60 °F (15.5 °C). Germination under these conditions takes place in 6 to 10 weeks. My practice is to sow the seeds an inch apart in a flat where they remain growing for at least two years. They can be planted out in the ground when they have grown a second leaf. Lightly feed them with a soluble fertilizer while they have leaves. Overwinter in a cool greenhouse, in a cold frame, or indoors under artificial light. With moderate temperatures, moisture and enough light most new seedlings will continue to grow without going dormant for two years. By doing this a much higher percentage will have grown to reach blooming size in half the time than those sown outdoors. Plant out in their flowering positions in May through late summer or keep them in pots if you like. I plant mine out when the corm reaches the size of a nickel. They are much easier to handle and have a well defined top at this size.
Hardy Cyclamen in Pots
Hardy Cyclamen readily adapt to pot culture and be quite rewarding. Pot them up is when the corms are in their summer dormant period. One large corm (40cm+ in size) can produce the most amazing blooms or plant multiple smaller corms in the same pot. Potted hardy cyclamen don't do well indoors, as it is too warm, they should remain outdoors. After they bloom the potted cyclamen must be cared for properly. To keep them growing and their foliage in good condition through fall, winter, and spring, they will need water, some light, and regular feeding. You can cheat by gently replanting the corm in the ground after blooming, letting nature see after them. Otherwise overwinter in a cool greenhouse or cold frame or under artificial light in a cool room like a basement or garage.
Pot size should be wide enough so that the corm should have an inch or two of space from the sides of the pot. Tall and shorter pots both work well. Plastic or clay pots both work well but I find that the plastic ones will be too wet using regular potting soil if left out in the fall and spring rains. For plastic pots I make a mix of 2/3 regular potting soil and 1/3 cactus mix. For clay pots use all regular potting mix. Cover the corms with an inch of soil.
Start watering the potted corms in mid to late August with a thorough soaking. Water moderately during the growing period keeping them moist, allowing the pot to just come to dryness between waterings. Periodic light feedings of a liquid fertilizer will keep them in top condition. Stop watering in June to allow the corm to go dormant. Store them in a shady area until late summer when it is time to water again. One of the difficulties with peat based potting soil is getting them to take up water again. To get around this you can repot them in fresh soil or use a potting mix that is bark based. There are recipes for the ideal potting mix at the Cyclamen Society web site.