Resistant Cyclamen Propagation

Reportedly, cyclamen tubers can split like potatoes during their dormancy period. Each cut section should contain at least one growing point (eye) at the top and one root shoot (starting) at the bottom. Cut tubers should be dried for a few days and sprinkled with fungicide before planting. The tubers dry out quickly, so division can be tricky. We have not personally tested this technique. There has only been one successful case of tissue culture cloning of cyclamen, which occurred at Terra Nova Nurseries, which produced a cultivar, Cyclamen coum ‘Something Magical’.

The best way to propagate garden cyclamen is to collect and sow seeds. Cyclamen are optional outcrosses, so they will produce seeds best if there are multiple plants growing near each other (that are not clones). Keep an eye out for developing fruits. They will start to soften before opening. You should collect the seeds after they are ripe, but before the fruit splits, as insects are likely to carry them off before you do. The mature seed changes color from white to light brown. When they dry, they turn dark brown.

Since the seeds have no dormancy requirements, they are best sown fresh and will germinate in 2-4 weeks. They can also be dried and stored for a year or so if needed. Seeds sown after the mother plants are dormant can wait until the typical growing season begins before sprouting. The longer the seed has been stored, the more erratic germination will be. Since light inhibits germination, sow seed ¼” deep in a pot of good potting soil, such as Fafard. Keep pot slightly moist but not drenched in water, allowing surface to dry slightly between waterings. If mix gets too dry, the seedlings will die. Ideal temperatures for seed germination should be based on the temperature in their native habitat when the plants sprout. In other words, plants emerging from dormancy in summer germinate at a temperature much taller than species that emerge from winter dormancy. germinating seeds will first form a small tuber, followed by a single leaf. I prefer to transplant them into individual cell packs at this time. With good care, your cyclamen should begin to flower in approximately 18 months, at which time they can be planted in the garden.

Resistant cyclamen hybrids

Cyclamen do not hybridize in nature. In culture, they interbreed only with some difficulty because most species have different numbers of chromosomes. There are only 7 registered hybrids with 4 or 5 more putative crosses that have not yet been registered. Their traits are usually intermediate between the parents unless otherwise noted. The following are descriptions of known hybrids.

Cyclamen x drydeniae (Cyclamen coum x Cyclamen alpinum). The young usually have twisted petals and are fertile. (Hardness zone 5-8, at least)

Cyclamen x hildebrandii (Cyclamen africanum x Cyclamen hederifolium) is the first recorded hybrid, created in 1955. The resulting plants resemble C. hederifolium on steroids, with a duller leaf pattern. (Hardness zone 7-8, at least)

Cyclamen x meiklei (Cyclamen creticum x Cyclamen repandum) (Hardiness Zone 7b-9, riddles)

Cyclamen x saundersiae (Cyclamen balearicum x Cyclamen rhodium ssp. Peloponnesiacum) has variable silver-spotted and variegated leaves and usually pink flowers. (Resistance zone 7-9, riddles)

Cyclamen x schwarzii (Cyclamen libanoticum x Cyclamen pseudibericum) (Hardness Zone 7-9, guessing)

Cyclamen x wellensiekii (Cyclamen cyprium x Cyclamen libanoticum) is named after Professor Dr. Ir. SJ Wellensiek of Wageningen Agricultural University, the Netherlands, who first produced the hybrid in 1969. It flowers for a long period during the winter and gives fertile seeds. The period is greatly extended and lasts up to 6 months. (Resistance zone 7b-9, riddles)

Cyclamen x whiteae (Cyclamen graecum X Cyclamen hederifolium) The flowers of this Hardy Cyclamen cross are unusually plump.