After the flowers of the cyclamen have passed between February and March, the fruits with the seeds are formed. But what do the seeds look like, when do they ripen and how are they sown?

Cyclamen seeds are ripe in summer

ripening time of the seeds

The seeds are ripe between June and July. During the ripening period, the appearance of the perennial leaves more and more to be desired. She is approaching her summer rest period.

External characteristics of the seeds

The seeds are tiny. They are located in brown and flattened capsules. They have a brown-red color and appear jelly-like due to their slightly translucent surface. Their shape can vary greatly from oval, ovoid to rounded or angular.

Self-sowing is not a foreign word

The cyclamen likes to multiply by self-sowing. Some species have stems that bend down towards the ground after the fruit has ripened. There they are partly 'drilled' into the ground. The seeds are sown by the plant itself.

Otherwise, the ripe fruits will open and the seeds they contain will fall out. There are usually plenty of seeds when the cyclamen is outside in the garden and has been pollinated by insects. An advantage, but also a disadvantage, can be that the plants that emerge from the seed have different characteristics than the mother plant.

Use the seeds for propagation at home

Immediately after ripening between June and July you should sow the seeds. Then they are best able to germinate. But beware: Before sowing, you should let the seeds dry out. They have a slimy covering that breaks apart when they dry. This facilitates the subsequent germination process.

This is how it goes on:

  • Soak seeds for 24 hours
  • Fill the seed tray or pot with soil
  • Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep (cover with soil, as dark germs)
  • keep moist (no cover necessary)
  • ideal germination temperature: 15 to 20 °C
  • Germination time: 3 weeks to 2 months
  • later bright and warm e.g. B. to the north window
  • protect outside in the first winter

tips and tricks

If you want your cyclamen to self-seed, you must not pluck or even remove the faded flowers after flowering.

Category:

Indoor plants