container gardening

how long can I expect to grow a cyclamen indoors. Is 12 years a record?

 

Many years ago when I had a nursery, an old chap came in with his 42 year old plant that he grew in a big washing-up bowl. The tuber was huge - about 45cms. in diameter and although the individual flowers were just an ordinary shade of red, there were well over 200 of them. He told me it would carry that amount of flower or more, continuously for at least 4 months. His secret of success was rest it fully in June and July, replace the top layer of compost each year and water it weekly with 'nettle beer' once the new leaves were about 3cms. high. Considering this potential for longevity and improving performance, it seems a bit of a pity that these plants are casually thrown away once the flowers have faded.