August 1996
Thick leaves are round to heart shaped with toothed margins and are dark green, marbled with silver. Flowers have recurved petals, which look as if they have been turned "inside out" and occur at the top of succulent stems (8" long).
Pink, Rose, White, Red, Purple
May discard, difficult to reflower. Needs dormant period after flowering. Begin water and fertilizer when new growth reappears.
December to February
Small container
Medium. East or west window, about one thousand footcandles.
Frequent. Water thoroughly, keep soil evenly moist to touch (not saturated). Don't let sit in water.
Cool. 50 - 60 (degrees F) days, 45 - 55 nights.
High
Every 2 weeks while flowering
1 to 2 parts sphagnum peat moss, 1 part vermiculite, 1 part sterilized loam, and 1 part clean coarse sand or Perlite.
Tubers
Select sturdy, shapely plant with healthy foliage and bright, clear colored flowers. New flower buds about to open are desirable. Check for insects. Avoid plants with insect or disease damage.
Challenging. Difficult to grow under average home conditions. Hobby plant requiring knowledge and experience.
`Giganteum' - very large flowers; many other cultivars with wide range of colors.
Root rot: Don't let plant sit in water.
Cyclamen mites: Wash and apply miticide.
Isolate. Buy only non-infected plants.
High temperature damage: Place in cool
location.
Do not place on top of TV, does not like hot locations. Many named cultivars have odorless flowers.