Out & About December 2017

OA gardening

LET IT GROW LET IT GROW LET IT GROW...

Thanks to its white and brightly coloured flowers, cyclamen (cyclamen persicum) is the ideal complement to the bright reds and greens of Christmas. It may look delicate, but it’s a strong bloomer that emerges from a sturdy corm. The green leaves grow in a rosette, are heart-shaped and often have attractive silver-grey or pale green markings. Slender stems unroll between the leaves on which incredible flowers emerge, which stand out like flags. They can be smooth, have fringes or stick out wide like a rara skirt. ORIGIN

CHOICE OF RANGE The choice of cyclamens is largest during the period when there is an ‘r’ in the month. The best-known are the F1 cyclamens: uniform, strong plants with good flowering characteristics. The range includes large-flowered, medium- flowered (midi) and small-flowered (mini) cyclamens. There are also micro-cyclamens, supplied in a 6cm pot or a vase. Theis a wide range of colours, but red, white, pink, lilac and bicoloured plants predominate. The flower can be smooth or have fringes, and the foliage can be green or silver. New shapes and scented flowers are making the range ever more diverse. CARE TIPS n Cyclamen like a cool and light spot, and does not like full sun or sources of heat nearby. n The plant drinks a lot. Keep the soil slightly damp. Ideally, cyclamen like to take up their own water at room temperature from a saucer which can then be removed. The plant will indicate when it needs water again by drooping a bit. n Regularly remove wilted flowers and plant in order to encourage new buds to open. n It’s a good idea to give some plant food once every three weeks to ensure lengthy and lavish flowering. DISPLAY TIPS The red and white flowers are perfect for a ‘festive season with a twist’ feel, while the pastel colours do well in the run-up to spring. Cyclamen is a good match with a classic container, whereby black lacquered wood or a black shiny pot in particular shows off the colours beautifully. The houseplant acquires a very energetic, modern look in colourful pots which echo all the spectacle within the pot. Display cyclamens together, preferably on a staging to optimally show off the fantastic shapes of the leaves and flowers.

Cyclamen has long been known as a decorative plant and is a member of the primrose family. The species that occurs in the wild in forests and on stony mountain slopes around the Mediterranean from Spain to Iran is the ancestor of today’s houseplants. The philosopher Plato described the plant as far back as the 4th-century BC. Cyclamen arrived in Europe in the 16th century, and was a particular favourite of Elizabeth I. The plant faded from view for a while after that, but came back into fashion in the 19th century thanks to the Romantics, and has never dropped out of sight again. WHAT TO LOOK FORWHEN BUYING CYCLAMEN n Alongside colour and flower shape, it’s a good idea to check whether the plants on offer are specifically houseplants or patio cyclamens. n Cyclamens are offered in various pot sizes, from mini to giant. In all cases look for an attractive round full structure, the number of flowers per plant, the ripeness and the number of buds that have developed under the leaves and can ensure long continued flowering. n The plant should be free of disease and pests when purchased. Botrytis manifests itself in black patches on the flowers (spot) or mouldy patches between the leaves (grey mould). Check that the plants have not been placed close together for too long, and ensure that the flowers and leaves never get damp or wet from watering, condensation or excessive humidity. Working clean and dry, not placing the plants too close together and removing them from the sleeve is important in order to prevent botrytis. n If the flowers or the foliage are damaged or flawed, this is often the result of shipping or storage. There may also be wilted flowers on the plant, or the plant may be drooping due to lack of water. Yellow leaves indicate conditions which are too wet or too dry. Cyclamen can cope well with cool temperatures, provided it’s above freezing.

Louis XIV received them in bunches, along with many other flowers, to flower the lounges of Versailles

The cyclamen was, with the columbine, one of the flowers of choice for Leonardo da Vinci at the beginning of the 16th century, and he covered the margins of his manuscripts with it.

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