Repotting Cyclamen

 This large Cyclamen africanum bulb has long roots that may seem dormant in the hot summer, but they actually will grow deep into the slightly damp sand of the raised bulb bed, where they search for just the perfect amount ot moisture. Other species of Cyclamen survive the hot summer just fine, with no water at all, but I’ find that C. graecum prefers a touch of moisture. Repotting late, ensures that growth will start quickly as the weather changes, and I am less likely to lose bulbs.

 This C. africanum  bulb which I started from seed, is now almost 7 inches in diameter.

 Smaller C. graecum are carefully excavated, to see how active the roots are. Since these are young, and have stronger root systems, I am only removing half of the soil.

I will topdress these pots with a fresh mix of one third composted peanut hulls, one third giant perlite, and one third gravel. Cyclamen graecum prefer a fast draining compost, since they abhor dampness around their bulbs. Some enthusiasts plant this species in pure sand or pure perlite, but I find that the addition of BioComp, thanks to Cyclamen expert John Lonsdale, adds to my success.

 Tiny bulblets are often found when repotting, formed from seeds that were self sown in the pots. These I pot up into 3 inch clay pots, and these too are topdressed in gravel, and will be set into the sand bed. All of the cyclamen are still allowed to rest until night time temperatures start to drop, which will be in a couple of weeks. I will then water them all well, and within a month, all will be in full bloom.