Crocus or saffron is a bulbous plant that belongs to the Iris family. Blooming crocuses in wildlife grow in Central Asia and Europe and are a very beautiful sight.
Crocuses usually bloom at home at a time when the rest of the flowers have bloomed or have not yet begun to blossom - these are autumn and spring saffron species. Together with other primroses, they begin the season in spring or see off autumn, delighting with bright colors.
Crocuses prefer open ground, but, like other bulbous species, they are distilled and can please a person at any time of the year, standing on the windowsill.
These are low plants up to 25 cm in size, which grow together with flowers and leaves directly from the corm. The stem below is covered with transparent scales. Flowers same-sex with colorful corolla perianth. Stigmas with stamens having bright orange, red or yellow colors are hidden inside the buds . Pollination is carried out by insects. From the ovary formed underground, fruits are formed in the form of boxes with seeds that are pushed to the surface and ripen there.
The shape of a crocus flower resembles a tulip. Flowers have a different color: from cold violet and blue to warm yellow tones, there are also types of white.
Crocuses are very common in Spain. The cultivation of these flowers is put on stream there. But the cheapest varieties are brought from Iran or India.
Growing crocuses at home is a very exciting thing. The purpose of distillation is to obtain a flowering plant in the winter or by a specific date. For this purpose, Dutch large-flowered spring-flowering varieties are perfectly suitable. Bulbs of the same size and variety are taken for distillation, this ensures the simultaneous flowering and the same size of plants planted in a pot.
In the garden, crocuses for digging are dug out of the ground in August. Then the bulbs are kept at room temperature for two weeks and stored in a cool place. It is not always possible to make crocuses bloom at home to a certain number. It largely depends on the size of the bulb (the larger, the faster it blooms), the variety and external criteria, but the approximate flowering time can be determined.
To obtain flowering saffron, it is necessary to keep the bulbs at rest at a temperature of 6 ... 9 degrees, without planting them in the ground. About 3 months before the time of the planned flowering, crocuses are planted in low containers with moist, breathable soil at home. In this case, the bulbs should not touch each other and the edges of the pot. Then the planted bulbs are sent to a cold basement or refrigerator. There, for 2 months, the plant takes root and shoots. When the sprouts reach 5 cm, the flowers are taken to a room with a temperature of 11 ... 15 degrees and placed on the windowsill, where there is more light. If the room is warmer, crocuses will quickly grow and bloom. With a lack of lighting, sprouts will stretch, and flowering will become weak. Watering the plants is necessary in moderation, after the top of the earth dries.
Under optimal conditions, 2 weeks after being placed in a room, crocuses bloom at home, and flowering lasts about the same. After flowering is complete, plants continue to be watered until all leaves have fallen. After that, they take out the bulbs, put them in storage, and everything can be repeated. Only with repeated distillation the flowers are smaller and weaker.
By the way, crocus bulbs can be eaten: they are baked, boiled or cooked in another way. Of particular value are the stigmas of the plant, from which they produce expensive medicines and seasonings.