Cyclamen bloom and ripening sequence
Jane McGary (Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:14:43 PDT)

Recently there was discussion here about the flowering sequence of Cyclamen
species in various regions. While indexing back issues of the ARGS Bulletin
(predecessor to Rock Garden Quarterly), I came across the following table,
which is helpful because it shows when seed of the various kinds is
harvested. These data came from J. Leon Sealey of Seattle, Washington, and
were published in 1964. I've changed old synonyms to current ones.

Cyclamen sp. Bloom Seed
purpurascens Aug-May July
hederifolium Sept-Nov July
africanum Sept-Nov July
graecum Sept-Oct July
cyprium Sept-Oct July
rohlfsianum Sept-Nov July
cilicium Oct-Dec June
alpinum Nov-Jan June
coum Nov-Mar June
libanoticum Feb-Mar July
pseudibericum Feb-Mar July
persicum Jan-Apr July
balearicum Mar-Apr July
repandum Apr-May July
creticum Apr-May July

I've grown all these species except C. cyprium and C. balearicum and I find
that in a similar climate to the one reported on, bloom times are similar
but sometimes later in the spring. No doubt Sealey had some of these under
glass. The interesting thing, and something most growers also find, is that
no matter when the flowers appear, the seeds all tend to ripen about the
same time, early to midsummer. I wonder if this has been influenced
evolutionarily by the heightened activity of ants (which distribute the
seeds) at this season?

Jane McGary
Northwestern Oregon, USA