ENVIRONMENTAL AND CHEMICAL CONTROL OF GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF CYCLAMEN PERSICUM, MILL

A fast crop (8-month) method was developed for producing cyclamen pot plants in America.
The grower should surface disinfect fully imbibed seed of early flowering cultivars in a 5% sodium hypochlorite solution for 20 seconds to 1 minute.
Plants were grown at 20°C nights (24–27°C days) until 60 days before bloom, and finished at 17°C nights (19–25°C days).

A 6-week treatment at a 13°C soil temperature begun when the plants had 4 to 6 unfolded leaves effectively advanced flowering.

One gibberellin (GA₃) spray applied to the crown of the plant, 60 days prior to the desired bloom date, advanced flowering and increased the number of flowers open at one time.
An application of 8 ml of 25 ppm GA₃ was best for most tetraploid cultivars, and 15 ppm GA₃ for most diploid F-1 cultivars.

Plastic pots (with drainage) were preferred to clay pots because the growth medium remained moist longer and decreased the chances of plant wilting.
A moss peat medium encouraged optimum growth and also decreased the possibility of overwatering the plants.

Symposium on Production of Potted Plants and Cut Flowers

R.E. Widmer

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1976.64.27