cyclamen

Hi. I bought my father(94 years young) a cyclamen for Christmas (not his main present)it just caught my eye and looked nice)
I told him to make sure he watered it from the bottom by standing it in water ( my wife claims this is the correct way to water cyclamen!)

Anyway the bottom line is that already after a week the leaves at the bottom of the plant are turning yellow.
Any suggestions - has he overwaterd or is the centrally heated room he has it in not the right enviroment.

 

Hi Martyn,
Cyclamen certainly dont like central heating,I have some growing in a porch that is kept frost free, but mostly its a bit cold.
They seem to like that.
I'd say full light, even some sunshine at this time of the year and cool conditions, preferably with some air movement.
Allow to become a bit dryish between waterings.
Oh, and from the bottom is best.

 

I've always watered mine from the top, for more years than I care to remember. I've never had yellow leaves, here or the UK.

The current ones, pictured here several times, are kept in filtered sunlight/mostly shade (obviously because of my location) and in cool conditions, as pete rightly says. Mine are outdoors and I would also agree central heating would be a bit of a nightmare for them.

My main theory on watering is that, if they were in the ground, as they were in the UK and would be in their natural habitat, they would be watered from the top.

 

Know what your saying LoL, about if they were growing natural.
I must admit I also water from the top if I'm in a hurry.
I think watering from the base is advised because the plants ARN'T growing naturally, and under glass in cool damp conditions any water remaining on the corm can cause it to rot.

 

I agree pete, but this is true about any "houseplant" barring something like Cyperus that it should not be sitting or rotting in water.

I don't have houseplants here ... well, the few I have I brought from England (like the cane Begonia) and others I have bought here live outside in sheltered conditions, but in Bucks I had 70+ at one time having an old cottage with very large deep windowsills.

 

Pete and Lol
Thanks for your reply I only joined Gardeners Corner at Christmas and so far have asked two questions,both times gettting a quick and informed response. I am finding this a great site.
Martyn