CYCLAMEN 



339 



Fig. 139. — A Well-grown Cyclamen. This plant would easily, hide the top of 

 a bushel basket. We thought we knew how to grow Cyclamen forty years ago — 



but we know better now 



where there is so much ventilation as to dry out everything on top 

 and below the benches is no place for Cyclamens. 



Those who, in spite of using good soil and everything else, 

 don't seem to make a success can usually trace their trouble to the 

 lack of sufficient moisture during the plant's growing period. Don't 

 take that to mean "Keep everything soaked," for that would be just 

 as wrong as in giving a little protection against the hot sun during 

 Summer to make the house pitch dark. All the shade Cyclamens 

 want is just enough to prevent the leaves from wilting; spraying 

 several times a day and a very httle shade will do that. 



The little plants should be potted up in late Fall or early Winter. 

 As they won't do much during Winter they can remain in 23^-in. 

 pots until late Spring. A good way is to stir up the surface of the 

 soil in the pots several times during the Winter. When you notice 

 the white roots getting busy around the inside of the pots it usually 

 is time for a shift, even if there isn't much top growth to speak of. 

 While Cyclamens grow steadily, it is during July, August and Sep- 

 tember that they actually go ahead so that you can notice it; and 

 that is the time they need the most encouragement. 



