Crocuses are tender primroses that are among the first to welcome spring. The plant can be grown not only at home, but also in the open field. Compliance with simple rules of care will allow you to grow a healthy decorative culture, pleasing abundant flowering.
Description and useful properties
Crocus is a perennial bulbous culture that was appreciated in the days of the Egyptian pharaohs. Saffron (the meaning of the word in Arabic) is a representative of the Kasatikov family. Specialists count more than 100 varieties of plants.
The height of the stems of the perennial reaches 20-25 cm. Flakes form near the root system of saffron. Thanks to this feature, during flowering, the crocus acquires common features with tulips. Goblet-shaped flowers have 6 petals, painted in different colors. Flowers can be not only monochrome, but also two-tone. In this case, the stamens are painted only in yellow or orange.
Saffron
Beneficial features
Saffron is used in the manufacturing process of cosmetic and medicinal products. Crocus, due to the content of a large number of useful elements, is able to positively affect:
- gastrointestinal tract system;
- nervous system;
- the work of the heart muscle;
- genitourinary system.
Note! Saffron can act as an antioxidant that cleanses the body of toxic accumulations. It is very important to take spice on the recommendation of a doctor, strictly following his instructions.
Cooking Application
Saffron gives a special taste and beautiful shade to any dish. Spice can be added to cold cuts, fish dishes and vegetable stew. In addition, cooks use spice during the preparation of dessert, cream and bakery products.
Using saffron in cooking
Description of spring blooming crocus species
There are a large number of saffron varieties that delight flowering in the spring months. Below are the most popular varieties from this category.
- Spring crocus - a plant grown at home, can reach a height of 16-17 cm. The surface of corms is covered with mesh scales. Leaf plates are painted in green tones. Flowers have a funnel-bell-shaped form with long tubes, the shade of which can be white, like snow or lilac. From each bulb, 1-2 flowers develop. Flowering time - 3 weeks.
- Two-flowered crocus, the flowers of which are painted in bluish-lilac shades. The outer surface of the leaf blades contains brown spots. The pharynx of flowers can be either white or yellow.
- Golden crocus reaches a height of 19-20 cm. Bulbs are naturally endowed with a flattened spherical shape. Flowers with stooping perianths are painted in a yellow-gold palette. The duration of flowering does not exceed 20 days.
- Crocus Tomasini, which can be grown indoors. When opened, they resemble the shape of a star. The tubes of flowers are painted in white. From each bulb, 2-3 flowers are formed. Flowering continues for 17-20 days.
Gorgeous flowering
Description of the types of autumn blooming crocuses
Among the best varieties of crocuses blooming in autumn, it is worth highlighting:
- Beautiful crocus, characterized by chic violet-lilac flowers, the diameter of which can exceed 6.5 cm. The plant can bloom in the 10-15th of September. The longitudinal veins located on the surface of the flowers are painted in a purple palette.
- Pretty crocus is a variety of saffron, with the presence of dark stripes on the surface of flowers of a pale purple hue. On each bush, up to 10 flowers bloom. Flowering usually occurs at the end of September. The variety can withstand night frosts.
- Banat crocus is a variety of saffron, characterized by elegant flowers painted in a pale lilac color. The color of the anthers is yellow. The height of the stems reaches 13-14 cm.
Large-flowered crocuses
Large-flowered crocuses, which delight with chic flowering, were enjoyed by most gardeners. Below are the most popular varieties.
- Albion, characterized by the colors of a goblet shape, painted in white tones. The diameter of the inflorescences reaches 4 cm. The fractions have rounded outlines.
- Vangard is a variety of saffron with cupped flowers of a lilac-blue palette. The diameter of the inflorescences is in the range of 3.5-4 cm.
- Jubiles are crocuses in which bluish flowers, endowed with a goblet shape, contain a purple-purple tint.
- Sniper Banner - a variety of crocus, characterized by goblet-shaped flowers. The mesh lobes are oval. Their outer surface is painted in pale lilac tones, and the inner resembles a dark lilac mesh.
- Caitlin Parlow is a variety whose white flowers look especially magnificent and elegant. Near the base there are internal lobes with the presence of lilac short strokes.
Chrysanthus
Ornamental plants of the chrysanthus group contain a large number of crocus varieties, pleasing with yellow and light blue flowers. Among the most spectacular varieties, it is worth highlighting:
Crocus Jeepsey Girl
- Gypsy Girl is a variety whose cupped flowers are wide open. The inner surface of the petals is painted in yellow tones, and the outer one in creamy yellow hues.
- Marietta is an amazing plant that effectively combines bright yellow and cream tones of the petals. Petals are naturally oval in shape. Yellow crocuses can decorate any flower bed.
- Lady Killer is a decorative culture, the flowers of which look absolutely flat, despite the cupped shape. The diameter in diameter can reach 3 cm.
- Saturnus is distinguished by flat, wide-open colors, the diameter of which is in the range of 32-35 mm. The upper parts of the lobes, painted in a creamy palette, are slightly elongated. At the base of the lobes, spots of a brown-green hue can be found.
Crocuses: growing and care
How to grow crocuses? In order for crocuses to grow healthy and delight in chic flowering, it is advisable to adhere to the basic recommendations regarding care during cultivation. See information on how to grow crocuses below.
- When choosing a site for planting crocuses in the garden, it is worth giving preference to well-lit areas. If you grow bushes in the shade, the buds will not be able to fully open.
- The soil for planting must be drained. It is advisable to plant flowers in a mixture of leafy soil, peat and a small part of manure. It is worth considering that stagnation of excess moisture provokes rotting of the bulbs. The drainage layer may consist of both river sand and gravel.
- Saffron needs systematic moderate watering. When the dormant period begins, the plant can be watered.
- Every 2-3 months it is necessary to feed the flowers with a small amount of mineral fertilizers, which contain phosphate and potassium.
- Crocus is a plant belonging to the category of heat-loving crops, so the temperature in the room where there are pots with flowers should not fall below 17 degrees.
Crocus care is quite simple. That is why even flower growers with no experience can grow a decorative culture.
Note! Experts do not recommend feeding saffron with nitrogen fertilizers.
Bloom
Often you can meet the question of inexperienced gardeners who came up with the idea to grow crocuses when these plants bloom.
The flowering period can be varied depending on the variety. Goblet-shaped flowers located on short stems have 6 petals. After blooming, the flowers acquire a star-shaped or cupped shape. Inflorescences are painted in various shades. Pollination of flowers is carried out by insects.
Reference! A combination of yellow and red crocus looks very impressive on the flowerbed. Flowers grow quickly enough, but not every variety can please flowering in the year of planting.
Features of spring and autumn planting
In the spring months, it is recommended to plant varieties that bloom in the fall. If you plant bushes that bloom in the fall during this period, you can admire the chic flowers already this season.
Decorative culture in landscape design
Landing work in the spring is recommended in mid-spring, when the threat of night frost is over.
If the landing is planned in the fall, it is advisable to postpone it to October. Then in early April it will already be possible to admire the blooming of flowers of saffron varieties belonging to the category of spring blossoms.
Planting and propagation methods
How do crocuses breed? Beginners in the field of floriculture often ask a similar question. Crocuses are propagated by bulbs, which can be separated from the mother bulbs during planned transplants.
Separated children will be able to please flowering after 2-3 years.
The moment of crocus planting in the ground
With the seed method of reproduction, it is about 4-5 years to expect when the plant blooms for the first time. A similar method is rarely used by gardeners.
Transfer
Every 2-3 years, it is necessary to plant the bulbs. Time for transplantation is selected depending on the variety.
Varieties of crocus blooming in autumn should be dug up in June. Spring flowering plants are transplanted in September.
Bulbs after digging are dried and cleaned of defective scales. Dead roots are cut, and sick bulbs must be disposed of without regret. Any mechanical damage is handled by a small amount of crushed coal.
Important! Before landing in the ground, it is necessary to move the planting material into the basement. It is advisable to dig out crocuses after flowering.
Possible problems in growing
Following the rules of agricultural technology, you can grow healthy crocus bushes that will not be susceptible to diseases and pests. However, in some cases, colors can be harmful:
- field mice eating bulbs;
- wireworms;
- slugs.
To cope with pests, you can use effective drugs like:
- Actars;
- Agravertine;
- Actellika
- Fitoverma.
In case of improper care of the flowers, the development of fungal diseases can be provoked. Most often, diseases such as fusarium and gray rot can harm green spaces. To cope with the disease, it is necessary to treat the plants with special preparations as soon as possible.
Crocus is a flower that can be grown not only in open ground, but also in apartment conditions. Properly caring for the bushes, you can grow healthy plants that can delight every season with bright flowering.
