Spring flower crocus: description of varieties and conditions for planting. Crocuses - varieties of ornamental plants Benefits of crocus flowers and treatment

Perennials crocuses delight gardeners at the same time as snowdrops - they are one of the first to appear on islands of land freed from snow and bloom for about a month. All species diversity crocuses are divided into 15 large groups. The first of them is given to autumn varieties. All other 14 groups of crocuses are spring flowers with narrow linear leaves and petals of various shades.

What crocuses look like and photos of flowers

Crocuses (saffron) are the earliest flowering of the Kasatikov family. The genus Crocus has about 20 species. Wild crocuses can be found in high mountain meadows, on rocky screes in the Crimea, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Mediterranean and in middle lane Europe. Most crocuses bloom in the spring, but there are also fall-blooming species.

Multi-colored crocuses, appearing in snowy patches along with snowdrops and scylla, bring spring to the garden and tell us - it’s the end of winter, it’s time to move into the garden. And although many gardeners prefer to live in the city, the blooming of crocuses marks the beginning of the summer season.

What do crocuses look like and what kind? distinctive feature have flowers of all kinds?

A characteristic feature of crocuses is the absence of an aboveground stem. The inflorescences are quite large, directed upward. According to the description, crocus flowers at the moment of blooming resemble glasses or funnels, each has six petals, they come straight from the corm. Blooming flowers may be star-shaped or cup-shaped.

Look at the photo to see what crocuses look like - the colors of the flowers of these plants are very diverse:

In the center of each flower there is always a bright orange pistil glowing. The leaves are narrow-linear, usually with a longitudinal white stripe. In spring crocuses, leaves appear during or after flowering; the seed pod emerges on the surface of the ground a month after flowering.

Here you can see photos of the most beautiful crocus flowers different types:

How to grow crocus flowers

How to grow crocuses on your own personal plot? It is preferable to choose a sunny place for planting, although the plants tolerate shading in the afternoon. Another important condition planting crocuses - loose, drained soil. Sandy loam soil with a neutral reaction is optimal. Plants can't stand it fresh manure. Crocuses are grown in one place for 4-6 years. For full development, plants need sufficient amounts of mineral and organic fertilizers. Before planting, you need to season it well: 15 kg of well-rotted manure or compost and 100-150 g of superphosphate are added per 1 m2. Spring-flowering varieties and species are planted in September. The bulbs are planted to a depth of 8-10 cm at a distance of 5-15 cm.

They are unpretentious in culture. After planting, when caring for crocuses, water the plants only as needed. Fertilizing is carried out immediately after the snow melts mineral fertilizer with a reduced dose of nitrogen, and at the end of flowering only with superphosphate. Digging of bulbs begins in the second half of July, when seed pods emerge to the surface of the soil, indicating the end of the growing season.

The dug up corms are dried in the shade for several days, then cleaned of soil, roots, leaves and old mother bulbs. Continue drying in a ventilated area at a temperature of 18-20 °C. 1-2 weeks before planting, the temperature is reduced to 10 °C.

Crocuses reproduce not only by corms, but also by seeds. Vegetative method is basic. Over the course of a year, an adult corm produces 2-3 replacement bulbs and small children. For faster propagation, crocuses are dug up and planted annually or every other year. When planted shallowly, significantly more daughter bulbs are formed. However, in this case, crocuses need increased watering. The seed propagation method is used in breeding work and in growing species of crocuses. The seeds are dried for 2-3 weeks and sown in beds to a depth of no more than 1 cm. The seedlings bloom in the third or fourth year.

Caring for crocus flowers is not difficult, since these plants are practically not affected. They can be grown on, under, on and in borders, in containers and in lawns. Most varieties of crocuses are suitable for forcing into winter time.

Below are photos of planting and caring for crocuses in a summer cottage:

What types of crocuses are there: description of groups and varieties

Currently, there are about 300 varieties of garden crocuses. The entire variety of varieties and species is divided into 15 groups. At the same time, the timing of flowering, as well as the structural features of the bulb, are taken into account. Crocuses are highlighted in the classification autumn bloom(group 1), which are not shown here, and crocuses spring bloom(groups 2-15).

Below we describe what types of spring flowering crocuses there are and what they look like.

Group 2. Biflorus grows in the south and southwest of Europe, and is found in the Caucasus and Asia Minor. The flowers are purple, the stigma is yellow. There are several natural varieties with flowers ranging from white to lilac.

The variety of crocuses “Alexander” is very interesting - the flowers are purple with a narrow white edge, white inside. One bulb produces up to 15 flowers.

"Albus Biflorus Veldenii" has narrow, pure white flowers of small size.

Now look at the photo and read the description of the crocuses of the Chrysanthus group.

Group 3. Chrysanthus (golden-flowered) grows in southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. The flowers are golden-yellow with dark stripes on the outside of the petals, and the stigma is orange-red. The leaves are very narrow. This group includes a fairly large number of varieties. Characterized by early, abundant and long-lasting flowering. A large bulb produces up to 20 flowers.

The most famous varieties are:

"Blue Pearl" - pearly bluish, almost white when blooming.

"Lady Killer" - purple-violet with a white edge, lilac-white inside, shiny.

"Marietta" - the flowers are light yellow inside, the outside petals are lemon yellow with chestnut stripes and strokes.

"Nanette" - large flowers are solid yellow inside, canary yellow outside with purple strokes.

"Princess Beatrice" - flowers are lilac-bluish with a golden-yellow base.

"Schwanenburg Bronze" - outside garnet-brown with a narrow yellow border, inside saffron-yellow.

“E.A. Bowls" - lemon yellow, base bronze-green with purple strokes along the edge.

Group 4. Vernus (spring). Varieties of this group occupy a leading place in floriculture, as they are the most unpretentious and disease-resistant. Most varieties have large flowers of all shades of blue-violet tones, as well as white and variegated colors. Flowering in April. More than 90 varieties are registered.

The following varieties are the most popular.

"Albion" - white, with purple stripes at the base.

"Baron von Brunow" - purple on the outside, lighter on the inside.

"Harlem Jam" - the flowers are small pink-lilac-gray in color, amethyst-violet inside.

"Joan of Arc" - white with a dark purple base.

"Inchantress" - light amethyst purple with a silvery sheen.

"Negro Boy" - deep purple with a purple base.

"Paulus Potter" - large flowers of dense magenta-purple color.

"Pickwick" - flowers are grayish-white with purple stripes.

"Remembrans" - purple with silver glitter. According to the description of the crocus plants of this variety, they are most similar to the Baron von Brunow variety.

Pay attention to the photos of crocuses of these varieties - they are all truly magnificent:

Group 5. Aureus (golden) is found in the Balkans and Asia Minor. The flowers are bright orange. Sometimes there are grayish-purple stripes on the outside at the base of the petals. The stigma is yellow-orange. Blooms in mid-spring. The best yellow crocus is considered to be the variety “Grosse Gelbe” with flowers of intense yellow color.

Group 6. Balansov is found in the west of Asia Minor. The flower is chrome-yellow inside, with beet-purple stripes on the outside. Blooms in early spring.

Includes only one variety: Zwanenburg (van Tubergen) - orange-bronze outside with purple streaks, golden yellow inside.

Group 7. Candidus. This group is represented by only one variety: “Zubflavus” - amber-yellow with a bronze tint.

Group 8. Etruscus grows in Italy in the Tuscany region. The flower is bluish-violet. There is one variety in the group: Zwanenburg (van Tubergen) - light purple, with a grayish tint on the outside.

Group 9. Flavus (yellow). This group consists of Dutch yellow crocuses. The flowers are buttercup-yellow, duller in color on the outside, with grayish-green stripes at the base. Flowering early. Two varieties are known: “Confidence” and “Doctor Lotsi”.

Group 10. Imperati. Homeland - Southern Italy. Has many natural variations. There is only one known variety: “De Jager” - the outer side of the outer petals is amber-yellow with narrow dark purple strokes, the inner petals are violet-blue with three short purple strokes. The inside of the flower is lavender with a yellow center.

Group 11. Ziberi. Crocus ziberi is considered one of the most beautiful crocuses, grows in Greece and on the island of Crete. Violet-blue with golden-yellow throat. The group includes five varieties.

Flower growers highly value it.

"Hubert Edelsten" - light lilac strokes harmoniously combine with a purple background; inside the flower is silver-lilac with a yellow center.

"Violet Queen" (Hageman) - amethyst purple on the outside, lighter on the inside. The base is dull yellow with greenish veins.

Group 12. Susianus, or Clos of Gold (Gold Brocade) is found in nature from Turkey to Crimea. The flower is purple on the outside and yellow on the inside. There is a variety that is deep yellow in color.

Group 13. Suterianus comes from the central regions of Asia Minor. The flowers are dense yellow. One variety is described - “Jami”.

Group 14. Thomasinianus is found in the Balkans. The flower is cobalt purple inside and silver gray outside. The flowers have tall perianth tubes and rise high above the ground. Flowering is abundant.

Group 15. Versicolor. Crocus versicolor is found in the Alps and the French Riviera. The flower is white with purple strokes. The variety “Close of Silver” (Silver Brocade) is known.

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.

Tender, 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 its 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 August-September. 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 flower crocus 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 placed on the windowsill in 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 consists of: good choice planting sites, 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 border 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:

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.
During the mass ejection of buds - in a 1:1 ratio.
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:

Long-term cultivation of crocuses in one place. The corms grow too much, become smaller, they become crowded, and they stop blooming.
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.
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.
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.

It is necessary to carefully select 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:

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

Saffron is a perennial corm plant from the Iris or Kasatikov family. In floriculture it is called crocus. Crocus is used in landscape design as an ornamental plant. Dried stigmas of saffron flowers are used as a spice and orange food coloring. IN Food Industry saffron is used to color cheeses, liqueurs, butter and soft drinks. There are some known health benefits of this plant.
Crocus – spring Flower, which blooms even earlier than the tulip, but its flowering does not last long - about 10 days. It’s not for nothing that we associate spring pictures with crocuses. By planting crocuses in a flowerbed, you will get delicate and beautiful flowers (pictured) that will delight the eye with bright colors, and we will discuss planting recommendations and caring for them below.

Homeland: Mediterranean, Central Europe, Asia, Middle East.

Flowering: early spring or autumn - depends on the species.

Height: short.

Light: open sunny location.

Temperature: during the day 14 to 16 °C, and at night -1 to -3 °C.

Feeding: at perennial plantings- three times per season, annuals - fertilizing the soil before planting.

Transfer: mid-summer.

Reproduction: Children, seeds. Sowing in autumn. They emerge the following spring and begin to bloom in the fourth year.

Varieties of crocuses

The genus of crocuses is very numerous, there are more than 80 species, half of which are grown for decorative purposes. Crocus flower - in the photo picture:

Crocuses are classified according to a rather complex scheme. The main parameters for classifying crocuses are:

Flowering time -

spring and autumn blooming.

Flower color -

yellow-flowered and blue-flowered. The exceptions are golden and white, bred artificially.

Separation according to botanical characteristics -

small-flowered and large-flowered are Dutch hybrids, which are obtained from spring crocus.

Let's look at the most popular types.

Crocus sativa (C. sativus)

An industrial variety, the famous spice “saffron” is obtained from its flowers. Crocus reaches a height of 10-30 cm. The flowers are white or light purple with a very pleasant violet scent. India, the main country for the production of saffron, is considered to be the birthplace of the flower (see photo pictures).

Crocus Pallas (C. pallasii) -

low-growing variety (5-6 cm), light purple flowers with a pink tint, purple base. The corolla of the flower is about 4.5 cm.

Blooms in September and blooms throughout the month. It grows naturally in Asia, the Balkans and Crimea.

Crocus Sharoyan (C. scharojanii) -

The flowers are bright orange and bloom in late August.

Beautiful crocus (C. speciosus) -

one of the most popular types. The flowers are large (up to 12 cm in diameter), violet-blue, with veins of a darker shade. The flowers are fragrant (see photo pictures).

Autumn flower, blooms in September. IN natural environment grows in Crimea, the Balkans, the Caucasus and Asia.

Scottish crocus or two-flowered (C. biflorus) -

This crocus has purple or red petals, which is quite rare for crocuses. It grows naturally in the Caucasus, Asia and southwestern Europe.

Crocus Alexandri -

very original and decorative flower: snowy white inside, dark purple petals outside edged with a narrow white edge.

(C. vernus) -

a widespread spring species, found in nature in Alpine meadows and the Pyrenees. Flowers up to 5 cm in diameter are lilac or violet in color (see photo pictures). It is this species that serves as the basis for the selection of different types of crocuses.

Golden crocus (C. chrysanthus) -

blooms in April, its height is up to 20 cm, the leaves are narrow, the flowering period is up to 20 days. The natural color is golden yellow, however, many hybrids with two-color coloring have been obtained with it.

Crocus Korolkova (C. korolkowii Maw ex Regel) -

The flower comes from Central Asia. It is bright yellow in color, with red outer stripes, up to 6 cm high. Russian breeders developed varieties based on it: Kiss of Spring, Glory to Samarkand, Tiger.

(C. flavus Weston) -

blooms in April with golden-orange flowers up to 10 cm in diameter (see photo pictures). The height of the plant is about 20 cm. It is found in nature in the Balkans and Asia Minor. The hybrid variety Largest Yellow has even larger flowers, cup-shaped, dark yellow, with dark stripes along the outside.

Crocus Sibera (C. sieberi) -

has a non-standard three-color coloring (light pink, purple, yellow). The plant is up to 10 cm high. Its homeland is mountainous Greece, Bulgaria and Macedonia.

Flower Record (Flower Record) -

crocus, which is ideal for forcing with flowers of lilac-purple color.

(C. tomasinianus) -

considered the most unpretentious primrose. It blooms in early April with pink-lilac flowers 3-5 cm (pictured). He doesn't require special care, grows even in shaded places, adapts well to any conditions. It grows naturally in Bulgaria and the Balkans.

Planting and care

Planting crocuses will require you to create the following conditions:

The soil for crocus should be fertile and loose. It is good to fertilize it with compost and manure. If you plan to plant crocuses in conditions clay soil Having fertilized it first, be sure to add sand.
To grow large and beautiful crocus flowers, you need to plant it in the most illuminated place. Planting crocus in partial shade will result in smaller crocus flowers.

Watering flowers should begin immediately after the first shoots appear. In order to ensure optimal moisture penetration, you need to lightly fluff up the soil before watering. Crocuses need to be watered regularly throughout the flowering period.
There is almost no need to fertilize crocuses if the soil was fertilized before planting. But if you have them growing in one place for several years in a row, then it is advisable to feed them. For crocus, it is good to use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Phosphorus promotes the formation of buds and prolongs flowering, and potassium helps the development of bulbs. The first fertilizing can be applied when the first sprout appears, or immediately before. The second can be applied at the moment the buds appear, the third - after the crocus has faded. The first feeding should contain more potassium.

Most crocuses are spring flowers, but there are also varieties that bloom in the fall.

Planting bulbs autumn varieties produced in summer, and spring crocuses should be planted in September or October.

Large-caliber bulbs sink 12 cm into the ground, small ones - 5 cm.
The distance between flowers should be 5 cm. But, if you want to dig up the bulbs every year, then the distance between them can be reduced to 3 cm.

In summer, crocus leaves wither and dry out, so they need to be removed. Crocuses are frost-resistant, but if the winters in your region are harsh, then it is better to cover the plants with spruce branches.

When planting crocus as an annual, dig up the bulbs better in summer. The dug up bulbs should be cleaned of dry leaves, calibrated and removed. Bulbs are stored at 18-22 degrees and preferably with access to air.

Crocuses are flowers that can be grown at home. But care and planting, accordingly, are slightly different.

Crocus in the apartment

To grow crocus at home, you need to select certain planting material. There are many varieties of crocus, but not everyone likes to live indoors.

Large-flowered Dutch hybrid crocuses feel best in a pot. This type of crocus will produce a large and spectacular color, as in the photo:

If we talk in more detail about the varieties, then we need to focus on the flowering time.

If you want the crocus to give color for the New Year, then choose early varieties, and if you want to get flowering by May, then late ones.

The home crocus, its size, appearance and flowering, will also depend on the size of the planting material.

It is better to grow indoor flowers from bulbs no smaller than 5 cm in size. The larger the bulb, the sooner the crocus will give color.

Indoor crocuses are often grown in pots: white Joan of Arc (see photo pictures), lilac Remembrance, blue Vangart.

It is advisable to buy bulbs in August.
Care different varieties crocuses grown at home are the same.

Planting and growing crocus in a pot, according to the conditions, should be close to natural. This means that an indoor crocus must go through the following stages:

If the bulbs are dug out of the ground, then they must be calibrated and dried.
Cooling the bulbs. This stage should also be applied to purchased bulbs. To cool, place the planting material in the refrigerator. The later you need a flowering indoor crocus, the longer the cooling should continue.
Rooting is planting bulbs in pots. Crocus should be planted in loose soil. You can plant indoor crocuses in containers, several in each. Bulbs of the same variety and size should be planted in a container, close to each other. When planting, the bulbs need to be pressed slightly into the ground, leaving only a centimeter neck on the surface. After the bulbs are planted, the soil should be lightly compacted and the pots should be placed in a cool place with a temperature of 5-9 °C. Rooting lasts two to two and a half months. No maintenance is required.
Forcing. Indoor crocuses should be grown 15 days before the desired flowering date. By this time they will have already taken root, as evidenced by 5-centimeter sprouts. For forcing, containers or pots should be moved to the windowsill. Having provided the conditions, you will receive an indoor flowering crocus within 14 days (see photos below). During forcing, flower care should consist of support desired temperature and watering. You need to water 3 times a week. Indoor crocuses tolerate dry air well - they do not need to be sprayed.
Crocus blooms quickly at 20°C. After a few hours, the crocus may lose its color if it is not protected from the sun in time and the temperature is not reduced to 14 °C, and at night to -1 °C. If you provide such conditions for home crocuses, they will bloom for three weeks.

We told you how to grow crocuses both at home and in the garden, and now I would like to point out this fact: a crocus is not only a flower, but there is also such a thing as a crocus color. The crocus color is very popular in a brand like Milavitsa. Milavitsa is a well-known company producing lingerie. And the color crocus, of all the colors presented by the Milavitsa brand, has occupied a leading position for many years.

We bring to your attention a video about the types of crocuses and their cultivation.

Crocus, or its other name saffron, is a bulbous plant that belongs to the Iris family. They grow in Europe, Central and Western Asia. Blooming crocuses are a very beautiful sight. As a rule, crocuses bloom when all other flowers are either not ready to bloom (spring-blooming crocuses), or have already bloomed (autumn-blooming crocuses). These perennial flowers enjoy eternal love flower growers. After winter, crocuses, along with other primroses, welcome spring, and end the season in October, delighting the eyes with bright colors before the long winter. Crocuses are flowers open ground, but, like many other bulbous plants, it is possible to force them and get flowering crocuses at home at any time of the year.

Crocus is a low bulbous plant (up to 25cm), narrow leaves grow directly from the corm along with the flowers. The stem and leaves of the crocus flower are covered below with transparent scales. The crocus flower is unisexual, with a colorful corolla-shaped 6-partite perianth. Inside the flower there is a stigma with 3 stamens, brightly colored orange, red, yellow. Flowers are pollinated by insects. The ovary of a crocus is formed underground, a fruit ripens from it, but after some time the fruit - a box with seeds - is pushed to the surface by the plant, where the crocus seeds ripen and, in time, if they are not collected, they are sown into the ground.

The shape of a closed crocus flower is similar to a tulip; its size grows to a length of about 12 cm. Crocus flowers are colored, they can be in cold blue and purple or warm yellow tones; white crocuses are also often found.

Crocus bulbs are edible. You can bake them, boil them, or prepare them in any other way, but the most valuable part of the crocus plant is the stigma. Stigmas with stamens are a valuable medicine, dye and seasoning, which is sold and mined for a lot of money in the industrial cultivation of crocus (saffron).

Most saffron is grown in Spain. The cheapest saffron is Iranian or Indian. There is Turkish, Italian, and Greek saffron.

Varieties of crocuses

Nowadays, there are about 300 varieties of crocuses. They are all divided into autumn-blooming and spring-blooming varieties. In order to obtain raw materials for medicines or seasonings for industrial cultivation For saffron, only one variety of crocus is used, namely Crocus sativus. This is an autumn-blooming variety of saffron. This variety is not found in the wild.

Crocuses for growing at home are Dutch hybrids- large-flowered crocuses. For example: varieties " " Grand Maitre », « Vanguard », « Gell " and etc.

The most various types crocuses are presented in crocus catalogs - white crocuses, golden, yellow, purple, two-color.

Planting crocuses

In order to grow beautiful, healthy crocuses, you need to choose high-quality healthy planting material. Healthy crocus bulbs, as well as hyacinth, tulip, and daffodil bulbs, must be free of rot and mechanical damage. The color of the bulbs is spotless and even. The scales of the bulbs fit tightly to the body of the bulbs. There should be no damage or sprouted roots on the bottom.

One or more flowers may grow from the bulb. Crocus bulbs can produce up to 5 “babies” per season. Baby bulbs are much smaller than the parent bulb and full-fledged flowers will grow from them only after a season, when they gain weight. With good climatic conditions Crocuses can grow in one place for several years. Crocuses multiply quickly, forming clearings of brightly blooming flowers, but the flowers become smaller every year, because with each season the number of plants that require nutrition increases and the soil is depleted under planting.

When planting crocuses, it is important to choose the right place. Although crocuses grow well in partial shade, they develop better and produce larger flowers in sunlit areas. There is no need to grow crocuses in places where water lingers. Since in such conditions the bulbs will easily rot.

Crocuses develop well in any cultivated, breathable soil. On heavy clay soils it is necessary to add peat and sand to ensure drainage in the form of a layer of fine gravel. On light soils, add humus and turf soil. Acidic soils need to be limed.

Spring-blooming crocuses are planted in September-October to a depth of about 5-10 cm, autumn-blooming ones - from July to September to a depth of about 8-10 cm. Planting depth is approximately equal to 2-3 bulb diameters. On light soils, you need to plant deeper , on heavy ones - smaller. The distance between crocus bulbs should be at least 10 cm.

Crocus care

Growing crocuses is not such a troublesome task. He is not capricious in his care. Crocus is quite resistant to cold weather. It can withstand temperatures down to -18 degrees, but it is better to cover plantings for the winter with leaves or a layer of peat.

As a rule, crocus blooms at a time when there is quite a lot of moisture in the soil from melted snow and there is no need to water it additionally. Crocus is a drought-resistant plant and with a lack of moisture it gives small flowers, but if you want to get full flowering, still, when there is little moisture, crocuses need to be watered moderately.

For good development and flowering of the crocus you need to feed it. Good fertilizer for crocuses it is humus or compost soil. This fertilizer is usually applied when preparing the land for sowing.

Some gardeners prefer to dig up crocus bulbs every year and store them in the cellar until the next planting, which allows them to sort through the bulbs, remove diseased and weak ones, and ultimately get large flowers and protect the bulbs from mice, which happily eat them.

Crocus propagation

Crocuses reproduce by seeds and daughter bulbs.

The lightest and most quick way reproduction is reproduction by bulbs - children. On the mother corm in the axils of the scales, daughter bulbs are formed. After the mother bulb dies, a colony of new bulbs forms in its place, which must be planted to provide living space for each bulb.

After collection, the seeds are dried for a week. Sow to a depth of no more than a centimeter, the distance between the seeds is 4-5 cm. The crops bloom in the 3rd year.

Crocuses at home

Growing crocuses at home in a pot (forcing) is quite exciting activity. The purpose of forcing is to obtain flowering plant crocus at home in winter or simply by a certain date. The Dutch selection of spring-blooming large-flowered crocuses is being forced out better. For forcing, bulbs are selected of the same variety and size, so that they are the same height in the pot and bloom at the same time.

For forcing, crocus bulbs are dug out of the ground in the garden in August-September. After this, the bulbs are kept at room temperature(20-24 degrees) for two weeks. After which they must be removed for storage.

It is not always possible to force a crocus to bloom by a certain date. It depends on the variety of crocuses, on the size of the bulb (if the bulb is large, the probability of rapid flowering of the crocus increases), on external factors, but the approximate time can still be determined.

To get a blooming crocus by a certain date, the bulbs need to be kept at rest at about +5 - +9 degrees, first without planting in the ground. Approximately 3 months before the planned flowering, the bulbs are planted in low bowls with breathable, moist soil. The dimensions of the bowl should be such that the planted crocus bulbs do not touch the edges of the pot or each other. Planted crocuses should again be sent to the cold in the refrigerator or basement. Within 2 months, rooting occurs and sprouts appear. When the sprouts grow (3-5 cm), the bowls with crocuses should be brought into a room with a temperature of about 10-15 degrees. and place in a bright place, preferably on a windowsill. Crocuses will quickly grow and bloom if the temperature is higher. And if there is little lighting, the sprouts will stretch out and the flowering will weaken. Crocuses should be watered sparingly when the top layer of soil dries well.

Approximately a couple of weeks after being brought into the room with good conditions The crocuses are blooming and will bloom for about 2 weeks. After flowering, continue to water the crocuses until all the leaves die. They take the bulbs out of the bowl, put them in storage and the whole cycle repeats. True, crocus flowers, when forced again, turn out weaker and smaller.

- these are perennial herbaceous plants, which belong to the iris family. They are perhaps the most popular among small-bulbous plants.

When most gardeners hear the word “crocus” they imagine spring flower garden, but few people know that there are many crocuses that bloom in autumn, which for some reason are much less common in amateur gardens than in spring.

Spring-blooming crocuses are distinguished by very bright, elegant flowering among the half-melted snow, immediately after the snowdrop, for 8–15 days. Therefore, when planning planting, you need to think in advance about how to preserve the decorative appearance of the garden even after the crocuses have finished flowering.

Crocus flowers are goblet-shaped, up to 5 cm in diameter, on a short stem up to 10 cm long, so they are completely unsuitable for cutting. The leaves of crocuses are narrow, linear, hard, with a silver-white stripe in the middle; they appear simultaneously with flowers, but mainly develop after flowering ends.

Each corm produces from one to four flower stalks. Therefore, abundant flowering of crocuses is observed in the second and third year after autumn planting, when instead of one bulb a whole nest of 6–8 pieces or more is formed.

At this time, crocuses form a magnificent continuous carpet consisting of white, yellow, light blue and purple flowers with bright orange pistils. They look especially good in small clumps in the foreground of the lawn and under the crowns of trees that have not yet blossomed. fruit trees. They are also suitable for borders.

But if crocuses are planted on the lawn, then you need to choose a place where the grass is not very thick, and do not forget that you can mow the grass in this place only after their leaves have completely died, i.e. in the second half of June.

And fall-blooming crocuses will look great combined with evergreen groundcovers. In this case, the flowerbed will look as if summer continues, and the coming autumn has not touched it.

The most famous are large-flowered spring crocuses, there are many varieties of them. But although they are very beautiful, they are not the best for landscaping, because... They bloom for approximately 12–15 days. Most of the so-called species crocuses bloom for up to 20 or even 25 days. And varieties of golden-flowered crocus (ringed crocuses) are famous abundant flowering and a rich range of colors.

Crocuses prefer sunny, sheltered places from the wind; they grow in most types of soil, except wetlands and very acidic soils. They should not be planted where a lot of snow accumulates.

They achieve best development on well-drained, light soils, amended organic fertilizers. At the same time, under no circumstances should fresh manure be added when digging the soil for crocuses.

For successful cultivation Crocuses require good drainage. To do this, it is necessary to add a significant amount of fine gravel and coarse river sand to the top layer of soil.

Crocuses are propagated by corms, children and seeds. They are planted in September in such a way that the bulbs take root, but do not germinate, and are dug up in June, when the leaves turn yellow. They are dried, sorted and stored in a well-ventilated area until planting.

Crocuses can grow in one place for 5–6 years or more. But it is better to plant them after 3–4 years, since when the plantings become thicker, the flowers become much smaller.

Crocus seeds are sown in autumn. Plants grown from them bloom in the 3rd–4th year.

With accelerated propagation, the bulbs are dug up every year. Each large flowering bulb the next year produces 2, less often 3-4 bulbs capable of blooming, and 5-10 children.

As with all bulbous plants, the depth of planting of corms depends on their size: for large ones - 8–10 cm, for medium ones – 4–5 cm, for small ones and children – 2–3 cm. The distance between the bulbs is 6–10 cm from each other friend.

Very deep landing slows down vegetative propagation crocuses, but promotes the formation of larger corms. Therefore, if you need to get material for forcing, then you need to plant deeper, and if you want to propagate the variety you like faster, then you need to plant less deeply.

Crocuses are very responsive to mineral supplements. The first feeding is carried out in early spring in the snow, and the second during flowering, adding 1 tbsp. spoon of nitrophoska per 1 sq. meter of flower garden or special liquid organo-mineral fertilizers for bulbous plants.

Crocuses need mulching with fallen leaves or peat chips, because... in cold winters, many varieties can freeze. But do not rush to destroy the dead plantings, because... the buds near the dead bulb can renew themselves and produce new plants.

Sometimes when grown on the lawn, crocuses begin to wilt. Obviously, the fact is that it is difficult for the tender roots of crocus to compete with the roots of cereals. And therefore, crocus sprouts simply cannot break through the dense turf.

To avoid this, you can do this. Carefully break off the bottom of a clay pot with a diameter of 7–8 cm and bury it in the lawn. Then fill the pot with soil and plant crocus bulbs in it. Since the roots of lawn grasses are located in top layer soil, and the roots of the crocuses will be directed downwards, then the plants will no longer be competitors.

Based on materials from the newspaper "Ural Gardener", 19-2011.