Cyclamen, a symbol of color and resistance between autumn and winter, are often treated with too much confidence precisely at the most delicate moment: few really know what makes them wither so quickly. There is a seemingly harmless gesture that can change everything in a few days.
If you think about the cyclamens in this period, the first image that comes to mind are those full vases, full of heart-shaped leaves and bold flowers, that appear on the windowsills in November. A constant in flower shops, but also in supermarkets: the price drops, the temptation rises. Yet, precisely in these weeks when the air becomes more humid, and the days get shorter, it doesn’t take much to make a mistake.
And we’re not just talking about water or sun. The point is that many, very many, continue to repeat a mistake that seems insignificant, and instead… Here, the result can be seen: yellowed leaves, bent flowers just a few days after purchase. Anyone who has already experienced this small disappointment knows what we’re talking about.
Cyclamen before winter: the most common mistake
There is a rule that, in theory, everyone knows: never wet the heart of the cyclamen. Yet, thanks to haste, perhaps a watering can with a spout that is too short, you always find yourself pouring the water right there, at the base of the plant. An almost automatic gesture, as if it were any daisy.
The difference, however, is substantial. Cyclamens are very sensitive to stagnation: the water that ends up at the point where the leaves gather tends to stop, and quickly creates an ideal environment for mold and rot. Especially now, with temperatures fluctuating and light decreasing, even more attention is needed. A small routine error and the plant begins to fail.
Curious how often it is too much haste, wanting to do well, that causes the worst damage. In reality, very little is needed: water in the saucer, and never on the leaves. Even those with a green thumb sometimes stumble right here.
Where to place cyclamen when the cold weather arrives
Many think that, to protect cyclamens from frost, the solution is to immediately bring them indoors or to a place that is too sheltered. However, this choice can be counterproductive: the dry heat of internal environments, together with the lower brightness, often causes a rapid loss of vigor.
In nature, cyclamens are accustomed to cool, windy climates. The ideal is a balcony sheltered from direct rain, perhaps near a wall, where the plant can breathe without suffering sudden changes. A little trick: if the temperatures drop a lot at night, a cardboard box placed on top of the vase is enough. A simple gesture that makes the difference, especially in cities where the climate is less stable.
And then, every now and then, it’s worth looking at the leaves up close. If they remain straight and turgid, the plant is fine. As soon as they start to bend, it is better to check the humidity of the soil (a finger stuck in the pot is enough).
How much water to give cyclamens in November
Perhaps the most widespread doubt: how much and how to water cyclamens when the air is more humid? The answer, surprisingly, does not lie in a fixed table. In autumn, especially in the first weeks of November, watering every 7–10 days is often enough.
Real attention must be given to the method: the soil must remain just moist, never soaked. Another mistake that often happens is to think that the plant “is thirsty” just because the leaves seem to droop: in reality, it can be just the opposite signal. Too much water or stagnation, and the cyclamen give up immediately.
One detail: on days of continuous rain, the saucer can become a trap. Better to empty it immediately after each downpour, perhaps with a quick gesture in the morning, when you open the window. This avoids the risk of rotten roots and gives the cyclamens a season full of colour.
Sometimes it happens that you forget some vases on the balcony. Then you rush out, you see a folded flower, and for a moment it almost seems like you’ve lost something. In reality, it doesn’t take much to fix it: the right water, position and some attention, and it’s as if time turns in the right direction again.
You might also be interested in: Gray mold on cyclamen? The most effective natural remedy
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