Crocus

The genus Crocus (Crocus) unites more than 70 species of low-growing bulbous plants, but it is crocus sativus that is of great practical importance: its large stamens are dried and used to produce a spice-saffron (a synonym for crocus). Crocus flowers, composed of six oval lobes of the perianth, grow directly from the corm (crocus is a stemless plant); green leaves with a longitudinal light stripe also depart from the corm in bundles. There are blooming early spring and autumn species. The first ones sometimes bloom in February, but more often in March, less often - in April. The flowers bloom directly at ground level, before or at the same time as the leaves. Autumn species bloom in September-November. Crocuses are very decorative, and they are also easy to grow, so they are widely distributed. Over the years, the plants form bright clusters that effectively stand out in the meadow among the greenery and bloom for a long time. Spring species include the following species. Crocus yellow (C. aureus) with yellow-orange flowers (in the variety 'Lacteus' with white). White flowers of crocus bicolor (C. biflorus) are covered with purple-blue stripes. From the golden-flowered crocus (C. chrysanthus) with golden-yellow or orangish flowers, varieties have been developed for alpine slides and stony gardens. Crocus Sieberi has pale pinkish-purple flowers, yellow at the base. From crocus tomasinianus (C. tomasinianus), whose flowers are blue on the outside and malvaceous on the inside, forms are obtained whose color is darker than that of the original species. The most common in this group is the spring crocus (C. vernus): it is from it that the so-called Dutch crocuses with large fruits are obtained. flowers - white, blue, red-purple, sometimes due to the presence of stripes different from the main color - two-tone, sometimes silver. Autumn species include: crocus asturicus (C. asturicus) with lilac or purple elongated flowers; crocus kotschyanus (C. kotschyanus) with large lilac-blue flowers with glossy orange spots at the base; crocus sativus (C. sativus) forms lilac-purple flowers with large red-orange stamens with orange anthers; crocus beautiful (C. speciosus) with blue or purple flowers, yellow anthers on scarlet stamens.

The genus Crocus (Crocus) unites more than 70 species of low-growing bulbous plants, but it is crocus sativus that is of great practical importance: its large stamens are dried and used to produce a spice-saffron (a synonym for crocus). Crocus flowers, composed of six oval lobes of the perianth, grow directly from the corm (crocus is a stemless plant); green leaves with a longitudinal light stripe also depart from the corm in bundles. There are blooming early spring and autumn species. The first ones sometimes bloom in February, but more often in March, less often - in April. The flowers bloom directly at ground level, before or at the same time as the leaves. Autumn species bloom in September-November. Crocuses are very decorative, and they are also easy to grow, so they are widely distributed. Over the years, the plants form bright clusters that effectively stand out in the meadow among the greenery and bloom for a long time.

Spring species include the following species.

Crocus yellow (C. aureus) with yellow-orange flowers (in the variety 'Lacteus' with white). White flowers of crocus bicolor (C. biflorus) are covered with purple-blue stripes. From the golden-flowered crocus (C. chrysanthus) with golden-yellow or orangish flowers, varieties have been developed for alpine slides and stony gardens. Crocus Sieberi has pale pinkish-purple flowers, yellow at the base. From crocus tomasinianus (C. tomasinianus), whose flowers are blue on the outside and malvaceous on the inside, forms are obtained whose color is darker than that of the original species. The most common in this group is the spring crocus (C. vernus): it is from it that the so-called Dutch crocuses with large fruits are obtained. flowers - white, blue, red-purple, sometimes due to the presence of stripes different from the main color - two-tone, sometimes silver.

Autumn species include: crocus asturicus (C. asturicus) with lilac or purple elongated flowers; crocus kotschyanus (C. kotschyanus) with large lilac-blue flowers with glossy orange spots at the base; crocus sativus (C. sativus) forms lilac-purple flowers with large red-orange stamens with orange anthers; crocus beautiful (C. speciosus) with blue or purple flowers, yellow anthers on scarlet stamens.

Cultivation

Crocuses adapted to rocky and mountain gardens can be used both in borders and for decorating balconies and terraces. In the latter case, they are grown directly in a pot or box, using a well-drained soil. Crocuses in the garden also require well-drained soil; a small amount of fertilizer should be added to the soil periodically. To obtain larger flowers, you should apply a full mineral fertilizer in the amount of 30-40 g/m2 to the soil and periodically transplant and plant the plants in groups at a distance of 5-7 cm from each other.

Crocuses adapted to rocky and mountain gardens can be used both in borders and for decorating balconies and terraces. In the latter case, they are grown directly in a pot or box, using a well-drained soil. Crocuses in the garden also require well-drained soil; a small amount of fertilizer should be added to the soil periodically. To obtain larger flowers, you should apply a full mineral fertilizer in the amount of 30-40 g/m2 to the soil and periodically transplant and plant the plants in groups at a distance of 5-7 cm from each other.

Location

Crocuses prefer open sun, but they also feel good in partial shade.

Temperature

Crocuses are quite unpretentious plants they can withstand a decrease in air temperature to -10 °C. The maximum temperature for growth and development is 18 °C, the optimal temperature is 8-14 °C.

Watering

Crocuses are rarely watered, and only in cases when they are grown in a pot or box.

Care

It is recommended to remove individual dried or rotted parts, as there is always a possibility of infection of neighboring plants.

Reproduction

The corm planted in the soil dies off at the end of the growing season and leaves behind 1-4 new corms that will bloom next year, and small baby corms. Babies are also used for the reproduction of crocuses. Corms and babies are removed from the ground, dried in a cool, well-ventilated and poorly lit room, put in containers where they are stored until planting. Large babies can form flowers as early as the next year after planting; the smallest ones will bloom in two years.

Diseases

Crocuses are susceptible to bacterial diseases, especially caused by Pseudomonas marginale, which is very difficult to get rid of; it leads to the formation of black spots on the bulbs. Necrotic black spots also occur when Stomatinia gladioli is affected; the disease appears in the places where the leaves attach, and the leaves themselves turn yellow and rot at the base. Of the pests, the most dangerous are moles, which are disposed of with the help of poisoned baits. Aphids, mites and nematodes love crocuses, and they are treated with special preparations.

Crocuses are susceptible to bacterial diseases, especially caused by Pseudomonas marginale, which is very difficult to get rid of; it leads to the formation of black spots on the bulbs. Necrotic black spots also occur when Stomatinia gladioli is affected; the disease appears in the places where the leaves attach, and the leaves themselves turn yellow and rot at the base.

Of the pests, the most dangerous are moles, which are disposed of with the help of poisoned baits. Aphids, mites and nematodes love crocuses, and they are treated with special preparations.

Acquisition

Crocuses can be bought almost everywhere where ornamental plants are sold. The bulbs should not show signs of rot and necrotic areas.