Can cyclamens be revived?

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kiwifidget

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#319966 19-Jun-2025 21:23

I'm notoriously rubbish at keeping plants alive, but this one has gone from happy to dead looking in just 2 weeks.

I was told to water it from the bottom, so its sitting in an ice cream container with some water in it, and the dirt feels slightly damp to touch.

Is it "dead jim" or is there hope?

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eracode

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#3385609 19-Jun-2025 21:25

It’s life but not as we know it.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

mattwnz

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#3385612 19-Jun-2025 21:39

Most Plants shouldn’t be left in water, as the roots need oxygen so it of probably waterlogged . So it has probably rotted. The usual reason people kill house plants is over watering. It is easier to save a plant that has been under watered than over watered. I don’t know anything about that plant but to you may want to remove rotted roots read to on it’s requirements

Bung

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#3385620 19-Jun-2025 22:43

Cyclamen normally go dormant and lose leaves in summer. Kept indoors will probably screw with the season. You could try sticking it outside where it won't get drowned.

SepticSceptic

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#3385621 19-Jun-2025 22:44

Haven't tried myself, but try cutting the root ball in half horizontally, and re-pot with fresh potting mix.

Obtain a reliable plant moisture meter, and check occasionally.

jamesrt

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#3385641 20-Jun-2025 08:14

My wife says "pull off the dead leaves; and put it into a warm sunny place." She also said "Only water it when it's dry" [keep it on the container, don't add any more water. Allow it to dry out before you add a little more water]

tweake

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#3385702 20-Jun-2025 10:55

eracode:

It’s life but not as we know it.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow
Scrape them off Jim

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Eva888

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#3385707 20-Jun-2025 11:09

Do not cut the bulb. Pull off all the bad leaves and get it out of standing water, it rots the bulb. As suggested, put it outside under cover for a few days to let it dry out a little then water only when the soil is dry. On a windowsill is fine because it’s colder. Hopefully you haven’t already rotted the bulb, if not it will throw out new growth soon they are quite hardy. In summer I put mine under the deck until next winter and they come alive again.

Bananabob

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#3385708 20-Jun-2025 11:17

Perform CPR (Cyclamen Plant Revival)

Bung

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#3385758 20-Jun-2025 11:55

Reminded me there was one outside. After a bit of weeding this is what you get from neglect 😁

kiwifidget

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#3385765 20-Jun-2025 13:27

Thx everyone, all leaves have been pulled off, water down the drain, and now sitting on a windowsill to dry out.

It felt really wet actually.

Could be a gonner for good, I'll wait and see.

Meanwhile, an earlier rendition in the garden, with 100% total neglect, looks to be doing all right...

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MichaelNZ

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#3401339 9-Aug-2025 21:21

Plants do not perceive light like humans and most need a lot. Humans are well adapted to low light conditions but unless you have access to a PAR meter you will have no idea what your plant is getting.

So I suggest pop it outside.

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kiwifidget

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#3401387 10-Aug-2025 10:16

MichaelNZ:

Plants do not perceive light like humans and most need a lot. Humans are well adapted to low light conditions but unless you have access to a PAR meter you will have no idea what your plant is getting.

So I suggest pop it outside.

I did end up putting it outside, but pretty sure it's dead Jim.

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mattwnz

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#3401536 10-Aug-2025 17:50

It’s not likely to grow much if at all at this time of the year

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#3401539 10-Aug-2025 18:04

Plants need light and food. This tray of microgreens was grown entirely indoors.

But here is the thing about light - that is a 20W LED about 6" from the canopy. Measured with a PAR meter its around mid-300umol. I have just swapped that light for a different one and am getting around 400umol (all measurements at canopy).

These are the sorts of numbers you need to be at with small plants. At this time of year inside under natural or normal ceiling lights you will likely be in the mid double digits which is way too low. There is nothing magical about keeping a plant alive inside just got to give it what it wants.

In regards to feeding it you also want to swap your potting mix at least every 6 months though in my experience Tui Organic is rubbish and could also explain why your plant has keeled if this (or something similar) is what you have.

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Bung

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#3401542 10-Aug-2025 18:25

mattwnz:

It’s not likely to grow much if at all at this time of the year

The opposite is more likely. Cyclamen are dormant in summer coming back over winter. The one in my picture above has about 50% more leaf and numerous flowers about to open now.