Cyclamen resist even the first cold of winter, a little practical trick is enough to keep them colorful and healthy, without wasting time. An easy routine, really: all it takes is 2 minutes and a pinch of attention.
In Italian homes, especially between November and March, cyclamens appear on windowsills, in the living room or even in the kitchen. They are among the few flowering plants that do not fear the cold, on the contrary. When the temperatures drop and the first snowflakes appear outside, the cyclamen remains there, with its bright corollas and its leaves that lengthen, slightly curved. A curious detail: in some areas of the North, there are those who keep them in lighted garages, protected only by thick newspaper.
To keep them that way, however, minimal care is needed. Really little stuff, but regular. In recent years we have seen more and more advice online, but the basis does not change: the secret is not to overdo it with water and keep an eye on stagnation, especially when the light drops. Cyclamen have a strange, almost unpredictable cycle: they flower better when the air is fresh, but they suffer immediately if the soil remains moist for too long. Here, the real game is played. We often talk about fertilizers, lamps, nebulizers. But almost no one talks about the simplicity of a gesture: two minutes, a small bowl and that’s it.
How to keep flowering cyclamens in winter
When the cold hits, the first temptation is to water more. Wrong. The cyclamen in winter he prefers few but regular sips. The most common mistake is to water from above: instead, the simplest trick is to immerse the vase for a couple of minutes in a basin of water at room temperature and then let it drain well. This small bath, done once or twice a week, keeps the roots hydrated without creating stagnation.
There are other details that make the difference: it is better to avoid cold drafts and move the vases away from the radiators, perhaps near a bright window but without direct sun. A quick check of the soil under the leaves can help: if it doesn’t stick to your finger, you can water it. Nothing else is needed.
Common mistakes: water, electricity and small signals not to be ignored
Most problems arise from excess water. If the leaves become soft or start to yellow, the cyclamen is probably suffering. Better to check the saucer too: if it remains full of water for hours, there is something wrong. In that case, immediately remove the excess water and let the soil dry well.
Not just water: light matters too. In the winter months, the plant survives well even with a few hours of light per day, but at least one window facing south or east is needed. Never leave the cyclamen in the dark. If the room is too shady, move the vase at least a couple of hours a day near the natural light source.
Signs not to underestimate? Flowers that suddenly fall, sticky leaves or small white insects under the leaves: these are warning signs that indicate an environment that is too humid or poorly ventilated. Small practical note: every now and then, removing dried flowers and yellowed leaves helps the plant to “breathe” better.
The 2 minute method: the routine that doesn’t tire you
In the end, it’s just that. A simple, quick routine that can be repeated every week: immerse the vase in water, wait two minutes and let it drain. A gesture that is done almost without thinking, perhaps between a cup of tea and a look out the window. No watering can, no miracle product, just perseverance and a little attention. If every 3 or 4 weeks a pinch of fertilizer is added to the water, flowering can surprise until spring.
Thus, among the small daily things, we realize that very little is enough. Even just two minutes, every now and then.
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