The early flower, which with the first ray of the spring sun pleases the eye, is proudly called crocus. This flower is also widely known as saffron. Crocuses are planted in the fall. The soil must first be applied with the right amount of fertilizer, since this flower prefers loose, fertile soil.
Crocuses: a brief description of the plant
This plant belongs to the Iris family. About 80 of its species and more than 300 varieties are known. Crocuses are divided into two huge groups:
- those that bloom in spring;
- those that bloom in summer.
Their flowering period is very short - no more than 10 days.
The main features of the above flower:
- resistance to unforeseen atmospheric phenomena;
- tendency to rapid reproduction;
- unpretentiousness in leaving.
In one place, these flowers can grow up to 5 years.
Crocuses: planting in the fall. Landing time
Planting of these plants depends on their species. Crocus planting dates are as follows:
- late spring or early summer (autumn blooming);
- October-November (spring flowering).
Only you need to remember the main rule: this process is carried out only when the plants are in a period of absolute dormancy. Crocuses are planted under the ground in the winter. Gardeners recommend buying crocus bulbs in August or September. At this time, the plant is at rest. If the autumn weather is warm, then the crocus planting dates may move slightly until mid-November.
The above plants blooming in autumn are bought in June or early August.
Planting crocuses in the fall in the ground is characterized by the following features:
- the leaves of the plant wither and turn yellow;
- they die over time;
- the onion remains weak but alive.
In the first spring after the above planting, crocuses may not bloom at all.
Flower Locations and Soil
This plant needs well-prepared soil. It is fertilized with compost and manure, in addition, it is well loosened. It is not good for the flower to have excessive moisture and stagnant water. Therefore, if crocuses are planted in the fall, a little sand should be added to the soil, especially clay.
The best soil for this plant is, of course, sandy loamy soil. The site should be well-drained, since stagnation of water leads to decay of the plant.
Ideally, in 10-15 days it is recommended to dig the site when the time for planting crocuses is suitable. In autumn, when planting bulbs, no fertilizers need to be carried away.
So that the flowers are not small, it is important for them to choose a place that is well lit. It is important that the plants do not obscure the trees. Although this plant grows well in partial shade.
Soil fertilizer also needs to be taken seriously. It is important to remember: for crocuses, nitrogen is a great danger. Therefore, the best option for him are fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium. After all, the first trace element is necessary for the formation of crocus buds and the extension of the flowering period. The second trace element is important precisely to the bulbs of the plant.
Crocuses planting in the fall in the ground
To plant or transplant these plants is necessary without flowers. If nevertheless they planted flowering specimens, then they will gain strength only after about two years.
Crocus planting in the winter is carried out by the following method: the bulb is lowered to a depth of 10 cm. The distance between these plants must be respected and be at least 4 cm.
The thickness of the soil layer above the planting material is not less than the double diameter of the bulb. This is when the earth is loose. But in the case of heavy soil, this indicator is only a single diameter of planting material.
The above recommendations on the depth of planting these bulbs are strictly not necessary. Since crocuses have the ability to regulate it on their own: the method of formation of traction roots.
Planting crocuses at home has another important recommendation. If these plants are not frost-resistant enough, they must be mulched.
To extend the flowering time of this plant, gardeners go to a little trick: they plant crocus bulbs in separate holes at different depths. This will allow you to enjoy the beauty of crocus flowers for at least a week longer.
After planting, the ground where the plants are planted is watered a little and slightly covered with coniferous litter. This will allow you to save longer moisture, as well as protect plants from severe frosts in the event of a snowless winter.
Crocus seed propagation
These plants reproduce by their "children" - these are daughter corms. They are formed from kidneys that sit in the bosom of the scales. When the old corms die off, new babies begin to grow on their own, forming a kind of "nest". It turns out a group of related bulbs. The above method is the most effective method for propagating plants such as crocus flowers. Planting and care in this case are done very carefully so as not to damage the bulbous material.
The corm is growing every year and becoming larger. As a result of this, many so-called children are formed. When it becomes crowded, and they already begin to interfere with each other, they must be seated.
If conditions allow, it is important to plant children of one bulb of a particular type in groups. This planting material blooms approximately 4 years after planting.
The second method of propagation of crocuses is carried out by seeds. But this method is only suitable for spring-flowering plants. Crocuses that bloom in the fall bear fruit irregularly, as early severe frosts prevent them from setting seeds.
Sow this planting material in small pots or boxes. This will allow small shoots not to get lost among the large ones, and they will also be better protected from weeds. The pot must be closed with a black film and make sure that they do not dry out. If the leaves of the seedlings die off completely, they can be sprayed a little "Roundup". But here caution is important so as not to make the soil too wet, as this can provoke rotting of seedlings. Seedlings bloom for about 5 years.
Crocus Care
Plants such as crocus flowers do not require much complex observation of themselves . Landing and care has only a few rules:
- once for several years they must be thinned out, since under favorable conditions each corm generates up to 10 children annually and becomes larger;
- the process of digging in spring-flowering plants is carried out in the summer after yellowing of their leaves;
- dried and stored onions in the shade.
In addition, it should be noted that there are many diseases and pests in plants such as crocuses. Planting and care in the fall is carried out taking into account the following recommendations:
- Before planting bulbs in open ground, it is advisable to hold the plants in a potassium permanganate solution. This will prevent the development of fungal diseases in the planting material.
- Keep crocus bulbs in the house, that is, away from rodents. These are the main enemies of the plant.
Also, to get good corms nests, gardeners recommend planting them every year. This will allow children to get more space for growth.
Crocuses forcing
It is forcing that helps to achieve superearly flowering in crocuses. Only the healthiest onions are suitable for this purpose. Somewhere in September, gardeners recommend planting them in pots. The ground in the tank should be slightly moist. Pots should be covered with a film, previously in it to make several holes for ventilation.
This container with planting material is placed in the basement or in any dark and cool place. In early January, the first sprouts appear. After that, the pot is cleaned in a room with an air temperature of up to 15 degrees Celsius, where it is obscured by paper bags. It is also important not to forget to water the plant.
A week after this, gardeners are advised to remove the film from the pot. It is necessary to bring them into a warm room when the first buds already appear. Blooming crocuses depends on the temperature in the room: the lower it is, the longer they bloom.
Expelled crocuses in the fall can be safely planted in open ground.
Best Crocus Partners
Gardeners note the spectacular flowering and growth of these flowers in the vicinity with the following plants:
- mahonia;
- boxwood;
- yew
- thuja;
- galanthus;
- gelleborus;
- primrose;
- erythroniums;
- erantis.
Crocus application
These plants are widely used for such purposes:
- to create a beautiful landscape design of the site;
- as gift flowers in pots for the holidays (Valentine's Day, March 8);
- as a seasoning in cooking;
- as a food coloring.
Also, this plant is widely used in alternative medicine. Special eye drops and restorative tinctures are made on the basis of crocus, since saffron has antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties.
Planting crocuses in the fall in the ground provides the opportunity to enjoy the flowering of this plant in early spring. But so that these flowers do not disappoint you and grow really beautiful and spectacular, it is important to follow some simple recommendations for planting them.