Propagation Techniques for Cyclamen persicum

By: Petra Guenthner-Johnson

(PLSC 368, Fall 2005, Dr. Chiwon Lee)

Abstract

The potted Cyclamen persicum, commonly known as ‘Florist’s Cyclamen’, has become a popular indoor blooming plant. The cyclamen plant can be a rewarding addition to any houseplant enthusiast's collection. The following paper highlights methods for its propagation by seed, division and in vitro somatic embryogenesis.

Introduction

The cyclamen plants we see in stores today are intra-specific hybrids of Cyclamen persicum, commonly known as ‘Florist’s cyclamen’. Florist’s cyclamen comes in many different forms, from large to mini cultivars showing blooms of red, purple, pink or white and even ruffled cultivars. The potted indoor blooms we are familiar with are F1 hybrid seed strains originally bred in the mid-nineteenth century using selection and back-crossing (

Traditionally Cyclamen persicum hybrids have been propagated sexually for commercial and private use. Gardeners in USDA hardiness zones 5a and above can use seed to produce cyclamen for their perennial gardens. But, with the rising popularity of cyclamen as houseplants inbred depression, inhomogeneity in some cultivars, and the high costs of manual labor involved in seed production have become concerns for commercial cyclamen growers (Winklemann et al. 2004).

Vegetative propagation of Cyclamen persicum is more difficult than with many houseplants. There has been little success with using stem cuttings, and although propagation by division is possible Cyclamen persicum tubers have few growing points, this makes mass propagation by division impractical.

Methods of Propagation

Seed Propagation

There are many different suggestions for growing cyclamen from seed; the following are the summarized suggestions from the Cyclamen Society website:

 The Cyclamen persicum produces seed in mature blooms that have been fertilized. You can recognize a seed-producing stem because the stem does not wilt after the bloom has faded. Gather the seed from the capsule just before it splits open, the seed should be a light brown color.

 Soak the seed in warm water with a drip of detergent for 24 hours.

 Sow the seed in containers that are approximately 6 inches deep, transplanting recommended until after the second growing season. The seed can be planted about ¾ inch apart and about ¼ inch deep.

 Cyclamen seeds should be germinated in the dark in temperatures of 55- 60°F.

To enhance uniformity and vigor of seedlings commercial growers often soak cyclamen seed in 500-1000ppm solution GA-3 for 24-48 hrs.

Micropropagation

Within the last 10-15 years researchers have been working on methods for propagating Cyclamen persicum in vitro. Micropropagation of cyclamen plants allows growers to produce clones of the mother plants, thus avoiding problems with inbred depression and inhomogeneity.

Large scale production the somatic embryos of Cyclamen persicum is still being researched. A 1995 study outlines the process for developing somatic embryos in a liquid medium. In brief summary, cyclamen tubers forming on 5 week old seedling plants were used as explant material to proliferate ‘pro-embryogenic masses’ or PEMs (formed from the central pith, vascular bundles and pericycle tissue of the tuber), these were developed into somatic embryos, and finally into complete plants (Kreuger et al. 1995)

Future Work Needed

There are still problems with using somatic embryos to produce clonally propagated cyclamen plants. Somatic embryos lack the seed coat and endosperm that allow zygotic embryos to survive in poor environmental conditions. This means that embryos produced by tissue culture methods cannot be stored long. Researchers are currently considering the benefits of cryopreservation and osmotic coats in prolonging the embryo’s useful life.

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Literature Cited

Kreuger, M., Postma, E., Brouwer, Y., and Holst, G.J. (1995) Somatic embryogenesis ofCyclamen persicum in liquid medium. Physiologia Plantarum, 94, 605-612.

Winkelmann, T., Meyer, L., and Serek, M. (2004) Desiccation of somatic embryos of Cyclamen Persicum Mill. Journal of Horicultural Science & Biotechnology, 79, 479-483.

Winkelmann, T., Meyer, L., and Serek, M. (2004) Germination of encapsulated somatic embryos of Cyclamen persicum. HortScience, 39(5), 1093-1097.

Winkelmann, T., Mussmann, V., and Serek, M. (2004) Cyropreservaton of embryogenicsuspension cultures of Cylamen persicum Mill. Plant Cell Reports, 23, 1-8.

Website References

The Cyclamen Society

Photos courtesy of