home · Tool · Crocuses are varieties of ornamental plants. Crocuses - “winter awakening”: planting and care Crocus, also known as saffron

Crocuses are varieties of ornamental plants. Crocuses - “winter awakening”: planting and care Crocus, also known as saffron

  • crocuses: the best varieties
  • crocuses: when to plant at home
  • Is it possible to plant crocuses in spring?
  • where do crocuses bloom
  • crocuses have bloomed: what to do

Crocuses: the best varieties

Blooming in early springcrocuses can give us feelings of happiness. “Beacons of good mood” - that’s another way to call them. These flowers fill the garden with gentle light on a cloudy day, and dazzlingly bright on a sunny day. Today they are popular as wildcrocus species , and varietal. The seven species listed below crocuses - one more beautiful than the other. Start collecting these bulbous plants. Fortunately, they require little space in the garden. And their prices are quite affordable.

Spring crocus

(Crocus vernus, Giant Crocus, Dutch crocus).

Other names : large-flowered crocuses or Dutch crocuses. It is one of the hardiest crocus species. Therefore, it should be in every garden!Flowers large, single or in “bouquets” of 2-3 pieces. Theirform - bell-funnel-shaped, cup-shaped.Coloring The flowers of this species are usually white, lilac or purple and white with contrasting stripes.Flowers have a size from 3 to 9 cm in diameter. At the end of the growing season, several children are formed above the mother corm.

These crocuses look good in group plantings in flower beds, lawns, under tree canopies, borders and rock gardens. Suitable for growingin pots and tubs . Ideal for forcing. Grows in sun or partial shade.Blooms for a long time - from 10 to 17 days, depending on the variety. In order to save space in a flower bed or in a container, crocuses can beplant on top other bulbous plants. You need to divide and replant every four to five years.Attention!Mice can eat the corms.Flowering period - March, April. Plant height – 8-15 cm.

The best varieties: Crocus Grand Maitre . Hybrid. Giant crocus! It was launched back in 1924. This is one oflate blooming crocuses . The flowers are lavender blue with a pale purple tint. The orange stigmas attract attention. Corms usually produce 2 flowers.

Crocus Remembrance (Crocus vernus ‘Remembrance’). Hybrid. It appeared on the market in 1925. Each corm producesseveral flowers . Their color is violet-lilac with a silvery sheen.

Other varieties of spring crocus : Crocus King of the Striped, Crocus Pickwick, Crocus Negro Boy, Crocus Jeanne d'Arc, Crocus Flower Record.

Crocus Korolkova or saffron Korolkova

(Crocus korolkowii).

It is a wild species. It grows in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Very cold resistant crocus!

Flowers appear from under the snow, as if candles are lighting up.

They medium size , shiny, yellow in color with dark markings (brown or red).

Size flowers are from 2 to 5 cm in diameter. Because thehabitat These crocuses are suitable for rocky areas and will look good in group plantings in rock gardens and rocky gardens. Ideal for growing in containers.

Location - sun or partial shade. It can grow in one place without replanting for four to five years.

Attention! Mice can eat the corms.Flowering period – late winter - early spring. Plant height is about 15 cm.

Golden-flowered crocus or chrysanthus crocus

(Crocus chrysanthus)

Early flowering view! It is also called “Snow Crocus”. This is one of the popular bulbous plants among gardeners.
This type of crocus grows wild in Greece. It has smaller bulbs and therefore more small flowers than spring crocus. However, its bulbs produce more flowers (3 or more).
And usually this crocus blooms 2 weeks earlier than the spring crocus. Its flowers show not only yellow shades, but also soft blue, lilac, violet, milky white, and lemon shades. Very spectacular two-color varieties – yellow-bronze, violet-white, etc.

Form flower - cup-shaped. Petals are oval or pointed. These crocuses require well-drained soil in a sunny location. They look spectacular in rock gardens, under trees and shrubs, on lawns, in flower beds, borders and containers. Suitable for forcing. Plant height 8-10 cm.

Blooming season – end of winter - early spring.

The best varieties: Crocus Miss Vain . It has goblet-shaped flowers of a delicate creamy white color.Flowers in “bouquets” of 3 or more pieces. Stigmas are orange.

Crocus Prins Claus . Will not leave anyone indifferent! It differs from other varieties in its spectacular two-tone color. The petals are white with dark purple spots on the outside.

Other varieties of Golden-flowered Crocus: Crocus Goldilocks, Crocus Ard Schenk.

Crocus Prins Claus (photo)

Crocus Tomasini or Tomasini saffron

(Crocus tommasinianus)

It grows wild in Hungary and the Balkan Peninsula. Hiscoloring varies from lilac color until dark purple. The flowers are star-shaped, usually wide open.
Theirsize – up to 5 cm in diameter.
Petals narrow with sharp ends. It looks good in mass plantings on lawns, under trees and bushes, as well as in rock gardens.
Ideal for creating compositions in pots and tubs. Suitable for forcing.
Growing on any soil with good drainage.
Location – full sun.
Blooms in February-March for 3-4 weeks. Plant height is about 10 cm.

The best varieties : Crocus Ruby Giant . It has flowers of rich purple-violet color. Stigmas are yellow-orange in color.

Other varieties of Crocus Tomasini : Crocus Yalta, Crocus Barr's Purple.

Crocus Ruby Giant (photo)

Beautiful crocus

(Crocus speciosus)

Refers to autumn-blooming crocuses It thrives in the wild in the Crimea, the Caucasus, the Balkans and Asia Minor.Flowers large in size, numerous (up to 5 flowers on one plant).
Size The flower is amazing - about 7 cm in diameter!
Flowers usually light purple with a violet tint. But today there are crocuses of other colors: white, dark blue, violet-blue, lilac, blue. The longitudinal purple veins are clearly visible on the petals.
Flowering period – early autumn. Plant height is about 10 cm.

The best varieties: Crocus Conqueror (photo)

Crocus Etruscan(Crocus etruscus, Tuscan crocus). Another name for this species is Tuscan Crocus. Refers tospring blooming crocuses Comes from northern Italy. It is listed in the Red Book.Flowers lilac in color, pale on the outside, with clearly visible light small veins and a yellow throat. Thisview It spreads very quickly and, unfortunately, runs wild. Requires a sunny location. Plant height – up to 10 cm.

The best varieties: Crocus Etruscus zwanenburg (photo).

Crocus Susiana(Crocus susianus). One ofthe most beautiful spring blooming crocuses. It hasbright orange flowers with longitudinal dark brown strokes. The petals are shiny, oblong in shape.Size flower - 3 cm in diameter.Flowering period – mid-April. Flowering duration is about 3 weeks.

The best varieties: Crocus Angustifolius (photo)

Crocuses: when to plant at home

Delicate and beautiful crocuses can begrow not only in the flowerbed, you can use them to decorate your apartment or country house.Crocuses They look very impressive and sophisticated in containers and flowerpots. They will complement the interior of any room or other space. When is the best timeplant crocuses? Everything will depend on when you want to see flowering plant. Do you want to please yourself blooming flower on New Year? Thenplant crocuses In the end of August , if you want to give it as a gift on the eighth of March, then it is better to plant a crocusIn November . You can regulate the flowering period yourself at home!

Do not forget , that the bulbs for planting need to be prepared in advance!In June dry the bulbs, and then keep them at very highhigh temperature (about 34 degrees Celsius). After a week, you can lower the temperature a little and continue lowering it every 14 days.Optimal temperature for mid-August - 17 degrees above zero. Around September, a new stage begins -hardening of the bulb . Find a cool room, a cellar, a cool garage, or even a refrigerator will do. The readings on the thermometer should be around six degrees Celsius. In a month you canplant plant in a pot.

Plant crocuses are very easy. Select nutritious but not heavy soil, place it in a pot and plant a few bulbs. Theyshould not touch the walls of the container, as well as each other. After thatremove crocuses in a cool place for two months, and then we put them in our room. In 14 days you will enjoy beautifulflowers.

Many gardeners and florists recommend planting crocus bulbs onlyin autumn time. After all, the preparation for planting itself can take 15 weeks. Crocuses planted in the fall usually bloom during the colder months. For example, a crocus planted in Septemberblooms by the New Year, and in November - by the eighth of March. This applies to crocuses in pots and containers. If you grow crocuses in the garden or country house, thenoptimal time for landing - early September. Then in spring your garden will definitely be decorated with beautiful and delicate flowers. If you want to plant a crocusin the spring , then you can do this, but the bulb must go through the entire cycle: heat, decrease in temperature, cold and increase in temperature again. In early spring, it is difficult to find a room where the air temperature is 34 degrees. And in the middle of summer, look for refrigerators. More oftenin the spring crocuses are planted in a pot by professional flower growers, collectors or florists who have everything necessary premises and special refrigerators.

For many gardeners, spring is characterized by beautiful and tender crocuses. Many varieties begin to bloom when the snow has not yet melted. This is an excellent spectacle! If you want to get large, healthy and very beautiful buds, then you need to know where the crocus isit will bloom better Total. To do this, choose sunny places, because in nature crocus grows on sunny slopes. Rare varieties will bloom spectacularlyin partial shade . An open and sunny area is the key beautiful bloom. In very light partial shade the plant blooms, but the flower size will become much smaller. Be sure to pay attention to the soil. On highly fertile, moist or clay soils, crocuswill not bloom . Light nutritious soilperfect plant. So where isblooms our crocus? In a sunny area and on properly selected soil. A novice amateur gardener must remember these two rules.Remember! Every five years you need to replant crocuses, otherwise they will no longer delight you with their beauty.

Crocuses have bloomed: what to do


Unfortunately, crocuses will fade sooner or later, but next year they will delight you with delicate flowers again.After flowering Many gardeners cut off flower stalks. Butdo not touch green leaves, because they will continue to decorate your garden.
If the leaves have dried, you can dig up the bulbs for forcing or for other purposes (transplanting to a new location). It is also recommended to replant crocusesevery five years. If you planted the plant recently, it is best to use bulbs at all.do not touch .
Mulch the soil dry leaves or peat and wait for the new season.

Crocus is the Latin name for an ornamental perennial that has taken root along with saffron. A plant with a bright palette of colors is popular in gardening and is grown in greenhouses and at home using the forcing method. In nature, crocuses inhabited the center and south of Europe and the Caucasus. Crimea, most Asia. Some species are endangered and are therefore listed in the Red Books of European countries. Low and medium-sized crops with narrow leaves and goblet-shaped flowers decorate the landscape of city parks and private areas in early spring and in autumn.

Botanical description and distribution

The scientific name of the herbaceous, bulbous plant is saffron; from the photo, many people know it as a crocus. The culture belongs to the Iris or Iris family. The genus saffron has more than 80 species. The flower will grow from a bulb with a diameter of up to 3 cm. It can be spherical or flattened in shape. The outside of the bulb is covered with brown or reddish scales. A fibrous root is formed in its lower part. There is no aboveground stem, the leaves are narrow, linear, and rigid. From below they are covered with vaginal scales. Green foliage may appear before or after flowering. In many species, the basal leaves have a light longitudinal stripe.

Information. Saffron is one of the oldest cultivated plants. It was known in Ancient Egypt several thousand years BC. e. Appeared in Europe in the 10th century. thanks to the Arabs. Latin word"crocus" means thread and is associated with elongated pistils. The Arabic name “saffron” is translated as yellow, it is associated with the coloring ability of the flower.

Flowers emerge one or two at a time from the corm itself. They are located on a leafless peduncle 7-25 cm long. The dimensions of the flower are various types range from 3 to 8 cm. The bud has 6 petals, blooming only in clear sunny weather. On a cloudy day, the buds are closed, but this does not diminish their beauty. A blooming crocus flower looks like a cup or a star. The stamens of the plant are attached to the pharynx of the perianth; the style (part of the pistil) has three stigmas that serve to catch pollen. Stigma is the most valuable part of the plant; when dried, it is a food coloring, medical raw material and the famous spice - saffron.

Information. Saffron sativum is cultivated to collect stigmas. The plant is sterile because it was obtained by crossing several species.

Based on the color of flowers, natural species are divided into two groups: yellow-flowered (color from light yellow to orange) and blue-flowered (violet, lilac, blue). Cultivated varieties are more varied in color; two-colored specimens have been bred. In terms of popularity in gardening, crocuses are second only to tulips and daffodils.

Saffron - uses of the plant

Dried saffron stigmas have long been used as a spice with a specific aroma and bitter taste. Today, 90% of the crop is grown in Iran. The spice is used in cooking for preparing rice, peas, and soups. It indicates a preservative effect, keeping the dish fresh for several days.

Information. In ancient times, saffron was valued more than gold and 15 times more expensive than black pepper. And not surprisingly, to prepare 1 kg of stigmas, it was necessary to manually process 200 thousand flowers.

Saffron stigmas are used in medicine. Compositions based on them have antispasmodic and stimulating effects. In folk recipes, dried stigmas are used as an analgesic and diuretic. They increase appetite. Medical properties are manifested thanks to chemical composition plants. The following was found in the stigmas:

  • essential oil;
  • gum;
  • vitamins;
  • crocin dye;
  • fatty oil;
  • flavonoids.

The stigmas contain a coloring substance used in Food Industry. The natural compound crocin allows you to give a yellow tint to cheeses, liqueurs, dough, and soft drinks.

Varieties of crocuses

Numerous photos of crocuses prove the importance of their decorative use in the design of gardens and home interiors. It is one of the first crops to bloom in spring. open ground. All types of crocuses are divided into 15 broad groups, 14 of which include plants that bloom in spring, autumn varieties collected in one group.

Spring flowering (April-May)

At the beginning of spring, without waiting for the snow to completely melt, crocuses bloom in the garden. In open ground they are grown in flower beds, lawns, and alpine hills. Already in April, the primrose opens cup-shaped buds on a short peduncle. Leaves may appear after flowering. They are narrow, green in color, and may have a light stripe in the middle. A month after the flower a seed pod appears on the surface.

Spring crocus (Crocus Vernus) is a herbaceous plant 15-17 cm high. The flower is funnel-shaped, white or lilac color, anther yellow. The mother bulb is renewed annually. 1-2 flowers grow from it. Most often, Dutch hybrids are planted in gardens. In total, about 50 varieties of the crop are registered. Based on color, they are divided into three groups: white, mesh and plain (lilac, violet and others). Flowering lasts a little more than two weeks.

Among the common varieties:

  • "Remeberance" - large flowers with a diameter of more than 5 cm of a purple hue with a silvery sheen;
  • "Pickwick" - petals are rounded, light lilac with gray veins;
  • "Snowstor" - round flowers with a diameter of 5 cm, snow-white with purple stripes at the base;
  • "Nigro Boy" is a dark purple flower with a purple base and is distinguished by late blooming - in May.

Golden-flowered crocus (Crocus chrysanthus) – height up to 20 cm. The leaves are narrow, appear in early April along with yellow flowers. The bulb is spherical, slightly flattened. The perianth lobes bend outward.

There are varieties:

  • Snowbunting - with white petals and a golden center;
  • Blue pearl - blue with yellow bases;
  • Lady killer - purple on the outside and white on the inside;
  • Blue Bonnet 0 blue petals with yellow spot in the throat.

Heyfel's Crocus (Crocus heuffelianus) is named after the Hungarian botanist J. Heyfel. This species is common in the Carpathians. Plant height is 10-19 cm, the corm is round. The leaves are linear with curled edges. There is a silver stripe in the center. The petals are purple, less often white. Darker on the outside. Flowering period – 25 days.

Saffron (Crocus reticulatus) – rare view, listed in the Red Book. Found in Central and Eastern Europe, Crimea, Transcaucasia. Height 15 cm, bulb spherical. The leaves become significantly longer after flowering. The color is white or purple, with purple stripes on the outside of the petals.

Tomasini saffron (Crocus tomasinianus) is one of the earliest spring varieties. The plant is unpretentious and thrives in shaded areas. The height of the crocus is 7-8 cm, the diameter of the flower is 2-4 cm, this is one of the most miniature species. The color of the petals is lilac, purple, white. It grows easily in any conditions and is often found in parks.

  • “Lilac beauty” - purple petals;
  • “Ruby Giant” - large star-shaped flowers have a purple-violet color;
  • "Roseus" - soft pink and white petals.

Autumn-blooming (September-October)

A large group of decorative crocus blooms in the fall, like the last chord of a fading garden. Autumn crocuses are low and compact; they are used in border plantings along paths. Bright flowers look great at the base of trees and shrubs. Saffron, which blooms in September, decorates the rocky alpine coaster. Often the crop is grown in pots and flowerpots. Flowers decorate the entrance area, window sills, and terrace in picturesque groups. Among the autumn species:

Beautiful crocus (Crocus speciosus) is one of the largest autumn crocuses. Its leaves reach 30 cm, the diameter of the flowers is 7-8 cm. The color is lilac, purple with dark veins. The petals are symmetrical with pointed tips. Flowering continues for a month. The number of leaves is 2-4, length is up to 40 cm. The stigmas contain a dye.

Garden forms:

  • Albrus - white petals;
  • Artabir - a variety with blue inflorescences and purple veins;
  • Oxinan – distinguished by pointed petals, slightly bent back, color – purple.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a plant that is not found in the wild and is propagated by humans. It is cultivated for its stigmas, which are used as a popular spice. Height herbaceous plant 12-30 cm. The bulb is spherical with fibrous roots. Fragrant large flowers come in white, purple and yellow. They consist of 6 folding petals. The stigmas are long, red, hanging between the petals.

Pallas saffron (Crocus pallasii) - narrow green leaves emerge from the ground in April, and flowering does not begin until September. Spectacular buds up to 5 cm in diameter, light purple in color with purple veins. Stigmas are yellow. It grows naturally in Transcaucasia.

Hill or valley crocus (Crocuse vallicola) is a miniature plant 6-12 cm. It grows in Asia Minor and Transcaucasia in mountain meadows. The corm is flat, covered with a fibrous shell. The leaves appear in the spring and dry out by summer. The petals are white, the stigmas are short and orange.

Banat crocus (Crocus banaticus) is a large species that grows in deciduous forests and meadows of Eastern Europe. Height 15-30 cm, leaves are thin, flowers are pale lilac or purple. Each bulb produces up to two flowers. The three inner petals are significantly smaller than the three outer ones. The plant was first described in 1831 by the French scientist J. E. Ge. Crocus is listed in the Red Book in Serbia and Ukraine.

Growing Crocuses

Regardless of the flowering time, decorative saffron is grown using the same technology. A sunny place with loose, well-drained soil is chosen for it. The soil should be fertile, neutral, structured with an admixture of sand. The composition of the soil can be improved by adding compost and humus before planting. Per sq. m will require 15 kg of compost and 100 g of superphosphates, providing abundant flowering. Plants overwinter in the ground.

Attention. Saffron is grown in one place for 4-6 years.

Landing

Crocus or saffron, which blooms in the spring, is planted in the fall, and autumn varieties are planted in late summer. Before planting, the bulbs are inspected, choosing only healthy material. Autumn flowers planted in groups of 5, at a distance of 5-6 cm from each other. In light soil they are buried to a depth twice the height of the bulb. After a few years, each bulb produces many children, the flowers form a continuous carpet, but due to crowding, the size of the buds decreases. It is recommended to plant the plants in other areas.

Care

Saffron requires minimal care: watering, loosening the soil and weeding. There is no need to moisten flowers often; weather conditions must be taken into account. Excess moisture is a fertile environment for fungal infections. After flowering withered leaves and the flowers are cut off, the bulbs are left in the ground or dug up for drying and sorting.

Reproduction

The best way to propagate crocuses is by daughter bulbs. They are dug up and dried for 2-3 months in a well-ventilated area at room temperature. Then they clean off old roots and exfoliated scales. Spoiled copies are immediately thrown away. You can propagate saffron by seeds, but this method does not always preserve varietal characteristics and delays the flowering time by 2-3 years. Autumn crocus is a plant that does not always have time to produce a ripe seed pod before the onset of cold weather.

The saffron flower is insect-pollinated or self-pollinating. Its fruit grows and ripens underground, and is thrown to the surface already formed, ready to open. Seeds of spring-flowering varieties are planted in the ground in the fall or in spring in containers for seedlings.

Growing crocuses does not create difficulties or problems with care, and the bright blooms will be a wonderful accent of the garden.

In early spring, as soon as the snow melts, the crocus blooms - a flower whose second name is saffron.

This bulbous plant of the Iris family is native to the tropics, but also thrives in harsher climates.

Delicate, exquisite flowers appear almost the very first in sunny areas freed from snow.

But they bloom not only in spring, but also in autumn. Caring for crocuses does not require any special skills.

This plant is suitable for those gardeners who live outside the city and have the opportunity to admire it early flowering. After all, it blooms for a very short time - no more than 7 - 10 days.

In such a short period of time, it can be difficult for city dwellers to get out to their dachas in order to catch the saffrons blooming. Crocuses that do not require planting and care in open ground special effort, are an unpretentious and disease-resistant crop.

In early spring, the plant does not need the care of gardeners. However, a number of agricultural technology features will have to be observed, otherwise flowering may not occur.

Saffron prefers sunny places, protected from cold winds if possible. Growing crocuses comes down to choosing the right planting location.

The more illuminated area provided to the plant, the larger the flowers will be.

The plant prefers fertile soil with a neutral reaction. Light loams are best suited for them, but crocuses can tolerate heavier soils. The main thing is that there is no stagnation of moisture.

Crocus propagation

The culture is most often propagated by daughter bulbs. They are formed from dormant buds, which are present in the axils of the scales covering the crocus bulbs.

The vegetative propagation method is the most preferable, since it preserves all varietal characteristics.

Young bulbs grow annually near the old mother plant. Depending on the variety, their number can vary from 1 to 10 pieces. Daughter corms bloom after a season.

Seeds can also be used to grow crocuses in open ground. But this method is much more labor-intensive.

It is more often used by professional flower growers when breeding the latest varieties and hybrids, as well as for propagating rare varieties and simultaneously obtaining large quantity bulbs

Flowers from plants grown by seed can only be expected after 4 - 5 years.

Rules for planting crocuses in open ground

The best period for planting spring-flowering varieties is Aug. Sept. In the time remaining before the onset of cold weather, the bulbs will have time to take root.

But sometimes, when the weather is warm and dry, planting crocuses in the fall is acceptable even in early November.

Autumn-flowering varieties are planted from early July to early August.

Bulbs are planted according to the following rules:

  • large specimens are embedded in the soil to a depth of 12 cm;
  • medium bulbs deepen by 4 - 6 cm;
  • small bulbs - no deeper than 2 - 3 cm;
  • the distance between individual corms should not be less than 3 cm (it is better to leave about 10-15 cm, since plantings thicken quickly).

Crocus bulbs have the ability to go deep into the soil on their own, forming retracting roots. Therefore, it is not necessary to strictly observe the embedment depth.

Seed material (from seeds prepared at the beginning of summer) is sown directly into the ground in the fall. During the winter months, the seeds undergo natural stratification; in the spring their germination will be better.

Forcing crocuses

Crocuses, like many bulbous plants, are often grown in room conditions by forcing method. It is quite easy to get a flowering plant by the desired date (Christmas, March 8, etc.).

It is necessary to select bulbs of the same variety and approximately the same size, since they will bloom at the same time and the stems will be the same height. The larger the onion, the larger the crocus flower and the sooner it will bloom.

Approximately 3 - 4 months before the expected date, the bulbs are planted in wide bowls with a soft, loose and permeable substrate so that they do not touch the walls of the container or each other.

Then the pots with crocuses should be stored in a room with a temperature of +5...+8°C. This could be a cellar, basement or even a refrigerator.

Within 8 - 10 weeks, rooting occurs and sprouts appear. When they reach a height of 4 - 6 cm, the pots are brought into a cool room with a temperature of about +10...+15°C and shaded with paper caps.

After 5 - 7 days, the covering can be removed and the crocuses can be placed on the windowsill in a warm room. How better lighting, the larger the flowers.

If the room is too warm, the crocuses will quickly fade. To prolong flowering, the temperature should be maintained no higher than +15…+20°C.

After 2 - 3 weeks, the flower stalks will fall off, and the leaves will wither and gradually dry out. After the foliage has completely withered, the bulbs can be removed from the ground and, after allowing them to rest for 2 months, they can be planted again.

How to care for crocuses

Caring for these bulbous plants involves choosing a good planting site, timely weeding, loosening, regular watering, etc.

Choosing a place for landing and transfer

The place intended for crocuses should be as sunny as possible. In heavily shaded areas, flowering will be weak.

If crocuses are planted and replanted in soil that is too heavy and does not absorb water well, then the soil must be drained.

To do this, you need to add fine expanded clay or coarse river sand to the soil and dig it well. Excess and stagnation of moisture has an extremely negative effect on plants.

It is advisable to fence the area with a low fence or decorative curb stone so as not to forget this place.

The fact is that when the foliage dries completely, the bulbs are quite difficult to find. Moreover, over time they go deep into the ground.

Fertilizer and feeding

There is no need to fertilize crocus corms immediately after planting them in well-prepared soil.

However, if the bulbs are not dug up, the soil is gradually depleted, and mineral potassium-phosphorus fertilizers will be required.

Phosphorus has a positive effect on flowering, there will be more buds and they will be larger. Potassium helps the formation of healthy and large bulbs.

Nitrogen fertilizers have a detrimental effect on crocuses, as they can provoke the development of fungal diseases.

During the growing season, the crop is fed 3 times:

  1. When the first shoots appear, a potassium-phosphorus complex is added in a 1:2 ratio. The granules are simply scattered over the snow that has not yet melted.
  2. During the mass ejection of buds - in a 1:1 ratio.
  3. At the end of flowering - in a 1:1 ratio.

Crocuses do not tolerate fresh organic matter, but the use of humus and peat is allowed.

Watering

During active growth plants require a lot of moisture. But, since crocuses bloom early in the spring, nature itself takes care of this, providing the plantings with melted snow water.

There is no need to water them, because the crop is quite drought-resistant. In the future, watering is carried out only when the top layer of soil dries and as needed.

Why don't crocuses bloom?

The reason for the lack of flowering is often improper care for culture. The reasons may be the following:

  1. Long-term cultivation of crocuses in one place. The corms grow too much, become smaller, they become crowded, and they stop blooming.
  2. The foliage was trimmed ahead of time after flowering, or the bulbs were dug up before the leaves completely dried out. The plant does not have time to gain enough nutrients.
  3. The bulbs are planted too deeply or have sunk deep into the ground (if they are not replanted for a long time), and they do not have enough strength to flower.
  4. Depleted soil.

Diseases and pests

At proper care Crocuses rarely get sick or are damaged by insects. If there are errors in maintenance, they can be affected by fungal infections: gray and white rot (sclerotial), fusarium.

All affected material must be destroyed, and for prevention purposes, the corms are soaked for 20 minutes in a fungicidal solution.

Must be carefully selected planting material and when digging, try not to accidentally damage the bulbs. Damaged areas are treated with crushed ash.

Plants are occasionally damaged by wireworms (larvae of click beetles).

To collect pests, traps are set up from tufts of wet grass, hay or straw laid out around the area, covered with boards.

After a few days, the traps with crawled larvae are burned. With excessive moisture, slugs may appear on the crop, which are simply collected by hand.

Crocus bulbs are often attacked by hares, mice and other rodents.

Caring for crocuses after flowering

Crocuses fade quickly, but the leaves remain green for some time. Peduncles can be cut off as soon as the flowers fade, if you do not plan to collect seeds.

The foliage is not touched until completely dry. At this time, a renewal bud is laid and formed inside the bulb. If you cut the leaves ahead of time, this process will be disrupted.

If this is not required yet, then the flowers are left in the ground without any care. It is also necessary to dig up crocuses after flowering if they plan to plant them in another place in the fall.

The bulbs are removed from the ground, dried in a shaded place, and cleaned of remaining soil, scales and old roots.

Sick and damaged specimens are rejected. Healthy bulbs are stored until autumn at a temperature of +18...+ 22°C in a regularly ventilated area.

Spring-flowering varieties of crocus are dug up from about the second half of June to mid-August.

Plants that bloom in autumn should be removed from the soil between the end of May and the end of July, since their vegetative cycle is different and the dormant period begins earlier.

It must be remembered that all manipulations with corms (digging, planting) are best done when they are at rest.

Wintering crocuses

During the winter months, crocus bulbs remain in the ground; they can easily withstand frosts down to -20°C.

In regions with more severe climatic conditions It is recommended to cover them with spruce branches, branches or dry leaves.

The best varieties of crocuses

Many varieties and varieties of crocus have been bred. Hybrids with large flowers are especially popular.

Some of them will be discussed below:

  1. Albus. A snow-white flower up to 7 cm in diameter, with a creamy center. Blooms in September - October.
  2. Artabir. The plant is up to 18 cm high, with large (about 12 cm) sky-blue flowers. Autumn blossom.
  3. Pickwick. The flowers are about 4 - 6 cm in size, light purple in color with purple stripes, with large yellow stamens. It blooms quite late in the spring.
  4. Grand Mater. The flowers are goblet-shaped, up to 4 cm in size, the petals are a rich dark purple color and pointed at the top. Spring flowering variety.
  5. Saturnus. Flat, wide-open, creamy-yellow flowers with bright orange stigmas, up to 3.5 cm in girth. A hybrid that blooms in spring.
  6. Marietta. Spring Flower lemon or light yellow in color, the oval petals are mottled on the outside with thin stripes of a dark brown hue.
  7. Blue Pearl. Small (about 2 cm) delicate white-bluish flowers with a yellow center. Blooms early in spring.

The crocus saffron itself, from the stamens of which the spice is made, is called sativus. It belongs to the autumn-flowering varieties.

Or saffron is quite numerous, includes about 80 species, about half of them are used in decorative floriculture. They grow in gardens as natural forms, as well as varieties and hybrids created by breeders. The classification of natural species is quite complex and has changed several times over the past 200 years. It is now common to divide the genus into two subgenera, Crocus and Crociris, based on the structure of the bulb and the presence or absence of an involucre at the base of the flower frog.

The subgenus Crociris contains the only species crocus banat (C. banaticus), 10-14 cm tall, with funnel-shaped perianths, the color of which varies from light lilac to dark purple. This flower, which blooms in September, grows wild in Romania, is considered rare, but is the easiest to cultivate, distinguished unusual shape, reminiscent of irises. Its internal rounded segments are half as long as the pointed external ones; the yellow anthers contrast effectively with the dissected pale purple stigmas.

The subgenus includes all other species, which are conventionally divided into 15 groups or series, differing in the structure of the corm shells. Not all of them are of interest; some consist of one or 2-3 rather rare wild varieties that are not used in culture.

Mostly plants belonging to the following groups are grown in gardens:

crocus (crocus) (sown and Pallas);

Kochi (kotchschyani) (K. Sharoyan and Valley);

return (verni) (to spring and Tomasini);

biflori (golden and two-flowered);

speciosi (k. beautiful);

flavi (k.yellow);

reticulati (K. Zibera);

orientales (k. Korolkova).

Based on the time of flowering, spring and autumn crocuses are distinguished, and since yellow and blue petals are usually not found simultaneously within natural species, they are divided into yellow-flowered and blue-flowered based on color. The exception is the golden crocus; perhaps in this case the blue-flowered forms are of hybrid origin. White specimens are less common in nature and are more common in blue-flowered species.

Crocus flower in the photo

Varieties of crocuses are very numerous; currently about 300 of them are registered in the world. Below are descriptions and photos of the types of crocuses most often used in cultivation, as well as the most popular varieties and hybrids recommended for cultivation in our country.

Crocus blue, blue and white may bloom in autumn

Blue crocus flower in the photo

They bloom in September-October, are found in our gardens less often than spring ones, however, they are less demanding on lighting, resistant to diseases and very decorative. In central Russia it is recommended to grow:

Beautiful crocus (C. speciosus), the most popular and largest-flowered species, with blue-violet, adorned with darker or purple veins, fragrant flowers up to 12 cm in diameter. They bloom in September on leafless peduncles reaching 12-18 cm, and bloom for a month. Leaves, 20-30 cm long, 0.6 -1.3 cm wide, appear from the ground in spring and die off by early July. In nature, the plant is found in the Balkans, Asia Minor, as well as in the Crimea and the Caucasus.

There are many garden forms of different colors, among which are:

blue crocus Cassiope

lilac Artabir

white Albus

light purple Pallux.

Crocus sativa (C. sativus), cultivated around the world in industrial scale, it is its flowers that are used as the spice “saffron”. The plant is 10-30 cm high with narrow, only a few millimeters wide, erect leaves covered with cilia and curved at the ends. Light purple or white flowers bloom on shortened flower shoots, have a 6-petal corolla and a 10-15 mm long tube, and have a pleasant violet scent. Unlike the previous species, leaves appear along with flowers or immediately after them, mass flowering lasts one to two weeks, and each individual flower lives for about three days. India is considered to be the birthplace of the species, however, the plant currently grown is a hybrid, the result of natural crossing of several ancient varieties of the crop.

Crocus Pallas (C. pallasii), less common in gardens, low-growing, no higher than 5-6 cm, with single pale purple flowers pink tint flowers that have a purple base, veins of the same color and strongly bent edges of the perianth. The diameter of the corolla is up to 4.5 cm. It blooms in September and blooms for 30 days; narrow linear leaves about 20 cm long appear in April. It grows wild in Asia Minor, the Balkans, and in the territory of the former USSR - in the Crimea.

Even more rarely in gardens you can find bright orange blossoming at the end of summer. Crocus Sharoyan (C. scharojanii), a Caucasian species with bare leaves up to 20 cm long, up to 1.3 cm wide, sometimes remaining until the next flowering.

AND white valley crocus (C. vallicola), blooming in August or early September. The latter's leaves appear in early April and are completely dry at the beginning of June.

Yellow and red crocus blooms more often in spring

They bloom in spring, from early April to May, and in countries with warmer climates at the end of winter (February).

There are two groups:

botanical crocuses (C. botanical), including small-flowered natural forms and varieties.

And grandiflora (C. largeflowering), Dutch hybrids obtained from the spring crocus.

Of the botanical species in the gardens of the middle zone, the following are grown:

Golden crocus (C. chrysanthus), up to 20 cm high, with narrow leaves appearing along with flowers that bloom in April and bloom for about 15-20 days. The natural appearance is golden yellow, with shiny outside and curved perianth lobes, often having darker stripes and streaks in the outer part of the base. There are many differently colored varieties, including hybrids obtained with the participation of other species, in particular the two-flowered crocus.

Hybrids of the Chrysanthus group, unlike the Dutch ones, are smaller in size, bloom earlier, and are multi-flowered - several buds appear simultaneously from one bulb.

Popular varieties:

Princess Biatrix, blue with yellow base

White White triumphant

cream Beauty cream

light yellow Mammut

purple with golden throat Violet Queen.

There are a number of forms in which the petals have contrasting colors, with stripes and various strokes:

Nanette, with large cream flowers decorated with purple markings on the outside.

Lady Killer, snow-white inside, lilac-purple outside with light streaks, etc.

Below are a few more photos of crocus varieties from the Chrysanthus group:

Crocus Ruby Giant in the photo

Crocus Zwanenburg Bronze in the photo

Crocus Prince Clause in the photo

Crocus Princess Beatrix in the photo

Crocus two-flowered or Scottish (C. biflorus), grows naturally in the south and southwest of Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus. The natural species has red or purple petals and yellow stigmas, unusual for crocuses.

There are variegated varieties:

Alexandri, very decorative, dark purple on the outside with a narrow white edge, snow-white on the inside.

Parkinsonia, with the outer petals straw-yellow, the inner petals white with small blue splashes, the inside snow-white with an orange center.

There are monochromatic cultivars, for example:

pure white Albus

Fairy bluish tint.

Crocus yellow (C. flavus Weston), a plant native to the mountainous regions of the Balkans and Asia Minor, grows up to 20 cm, has linear, ciliated leaves about 10 cm long and short (5-8 cm) peduncles with large golden-orange flowers. The diameter of the perianth reaches 7 cm, and the length of the tube is 8 cm. It blooms for 20 days in early spring (April).

The well-known variety Largest Yellow is distinguished by even larger, flat, dark yellow, cup-shaped flowers than the natural species, decorated with outside dark stripes.

Crocus Tomasini

Crocus Tomasini or Neapolitan (C. tomasinianus)- one of the most unpretentious spring primroses, found wild in the Balkans, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Adapts well to any conditions, can grow in relatively shaded places without special care. Blooms in early April, natural forms have perianths of pink-lilac tones, 3-5 cm in diameter, with a whitish core.

The following varieties are common in decorative floriculture:

Ruby Giant, a dark purple-red crocus with large flowers.

Lilac Lilac Beauty

Whitewell Purple, dark purple-purple with a mauve center.

Crocus Sibera

Crocus Sibera (C. sieberi), quite rare for our gardens and at the same time one of the most beautiful decorative species. The plant comes from the mountainous regions of Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, is 8-10 cm high, and is distinguished by its original three-color color. In natural specimens, the petals can range from light pink to deep purple, the center is usually yellow with bright orange pistils.

Garden forms are especially attractive:

Bowlesis White, a pure white variety with a bright orange throat;

Atticus, a bright blue crocus with a yellow-orange center;

Tricolor, a cultivar with petals dark purple above, lighter below, and a bright yellow throat.

Crocus Korolkova

Crocus Korolkova (C. korolkowii Maw ex Regel), low, up to 6 cm, Central Asian species with bright orange flowers, covered with red stripes on the outside, there are varieties Russian selection, in particular, Kiss of Spring, Glory to Samarkand, Tiger.

Spring crocus (C. vernus), the most common spring-flowering species in cultivation, growing naturally in high-mountain meadows in the Pyrenees and Alps. In nature it has single purple or purple flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm. This variety served as material for the creation of numerous hybrid varieties, widely grown throughout the world, which are usually classified as a separate group of large-flowered crocuses or Dutch hybrids.

Crocus Vanguard and Flower Record

Varieties belonging to the group of large-flowered Dutch hybrids are unpretentious, distinguished by especially large flower sizes, on average 2 times larger than natural species, and their goblet shape. Plant height reaches 15 cm, thin long leaves appear covered with brown fibrous skin.

The first cultivar was created in 1897, since then constant work has been carried out to create new hybrids, with the participation of both spring and yellow crocus. More than 50 varieties are known with flowers of various sizes and colors, both plain and variegated. Among them there are white, yellow, lilac, blue, purple, purple-red crocuses.

Photos and descriptions of some of the most common varieties in our country are presented below:

Joan of Arc (Joan Of Arc), white, with large (up to 5 cm) flowers growing in 3-5 pieces. from one onion.

Yellow Mammoth (Yellow Mammoth), yellow-flowered, 10-15 cm high;

Vangart (Vanguard), a crocus of a light bluish-lilac color, 10-15 cm high, up to 4.5 cm in diameter.

Nigro Boy (Negro Boy), a hybrid with goblet-shaped perianths measuring 4-5 cm, deep lilac-lilac with a dark purple base.

Flower Record (Flower Record), a lilac-purple crocus, great for forcing.

Remembrance (Remembrance), with dark purple flowers that are goblet-shaped and point upward.

All Dutch varieties bloom for a long time, up to 20 days, but differ significantly in the timing of the onset of flowering.

The earliest ones, for example:

crocus Vangart, bloom in April;

late (Nigro Boy) - at the end of May, which allows you to have flowering specimens in the garden from early spring to early summer.


Crocus flower is a perennial plant that blooms at the very beginning of spring. Crocus blooms from a week to ten days. Then the flowers fade, but the leaves remain green for a long time, only at the end of June they also begin to dry out. The plant is also called saffron; chefs all over the world use the stigmas of the flowers as an unusual and most expensive spice.

Description of the plant

Crocus (saffron) is a bulbous plant, belongs to the iris family. Usually flowers grow in open ground, but if desired, they can also be planted at home. Crocuses are short plants (no more than 20 centimeters) with narrow leaves that, together with flowers, grow directly from the tuber-bulb. If you look at the stem and leaves from below, you will notice transparent thin scales.

If you want to transplant the plant to some other place in the garden, then in mid-summer the corms should be dug out of the ground. Select the healthy ones and those that are larger, and get rid of the damaged and sick ones. Bulbs should be stored in well-ventilated areas. The optimal storage temperature is 18−22 degrees.

Some people don't have personal plot, on which these could be grown beautiful flowers. But they really want it, and they found a way out - they grow them at home on the windowsill. But the rules for caring for crocuses at home are completely different than in the open ground.

Growing saffron at home in pots is quite interesting and exciting.. Such a plant can bloom in winter time or it can be adjusted to a specific date. To do this, the bulbs need to be selected so that they are of the same variety and the same size. This is done with the goal that their height in the pot is the same and they bloom at the same time.

At the end of summer or early autumn, the bulbs for forcing are taken out of the ground. Then they are stored for two weeks in a room where the air temperature is 20-22 degrees. After 12-14 days, the tubers are removed for storage. Getting a plant to bloom by a certain date is not at all easy. It all depends on the variety of crocus, the size of the bulbs and some other factors. But nevertheless, you can determine the approximate flowering time.

But nevertheless, the spice is bought because it is used in food in very small quantities. For example, to cook several large cauldrons of pilaf, you only need one gram of saffron. Overdose is dangerous to health.

This is important to know for those who use saffron as medicine. In this case, you should strictly follow the recommended dosage.

Crocus flowers