Planting crocuses of different flowering periods in open ground. Spring on the windowsill or forcing crocuses at home Indoor crocuses

  • 17.06.2019

Crocuses at home are grown by forcing, which consists in creating conditions for abundant flowering of the crop at a time when in nature it is at rest.

This type of bulbous is easy to care for, with some effort, even a novice grower can make it bloom by a certain date: New Year, March 8 or May 1.

For successful forcing of homemade crocus, it is necessary that the bulbs go through several stages of preplant preparation, be planted on time and then kept under certain temperature and humidity. Let us consider in more detail the procedure for growing crocuses at home.

Selection of planting material

In order to grow crocuses at home, you need to choose the right planting material. Although the range of species and varieties is quite large, not all of them can bloom indoors.

Natural varieties in this case are not very decorative, because they give small nondescript flowers, hybrids of the chrysanthus group (golden-flowered) are whimsical and difficult to care for, their buds often dry up before even blooming. Large-flowered plants lend themselves best to distillation. dutch hybrids, they allow you to get large showy flowers in the room.

As for the choice of a particular variety, here you need to focus on the estimated flowering time. So, if they plan to distill for the New Year, the variety should be early, by May 1 - late.

The size of the corm also matters, usually for distillation it must be the first analysis, with a diameter of at least 5 cm. When buying in a store, planting material is sorted not by diameter, but by circumference in centimeters.

For growing crocuses in pots, corms are suitable starting from a size of 7/8, which allows you to get a single flower when forcing. With a size of 8/9, two or three flowers grow from one bulb, and with a size of 10 or more - up to 5-6 pieces, while the larger the planting material, the earlier it will bloom.

Thus, in order to get a blooming bouquet of crocuses by the New Year or Christmas, it is better to choose large, size 10+ bulbs of Dutch hybrids early variety, for example:

It is better to buy them in the store at the beginning of the season, that is, from mid-August to early September, when you can find the highest quality planting material on sale.

Note that, regardless of the estimated time of flowering of crocus, home care for it is almost the same, only the varieties used for forcing and the timing of planting corms in pots differ.

Preparing for forcing

To intervene in the process natural development plants and make it bloom earlier due date, it is necessary at the right time to artificially provide conditions that are as close to natural as possible. This means that for guaranteed flowering, the corms of homemade crocuses must certainly undergo a cooling and rooting process lasting at least three months.

If plants from a garden plot are used for growing in a room, the corms of the selected variety are dug up in June, dried thoroughly, sorted, selecting the largest and healthiest specimens, and then stored. Initially, they are stored for a week at a high temperature, up to 34 ° C, after which it is reduced to 20 ° C.

Two weeks later, the temperature is lowered by a few more degrees, and until approximately the second decade of August, it is maintained at 17 ° C. Then the cooling process begins, which is carried out in a dry, dark room at 4-9 ° C. In an apartment setting the best place for this - a refrigerator in which you can provide a stable temperature regime.

Sometimes glazed loggias are used for storage, but in this case temperature fluctuations caused by external factors can adversely affect the quality of planting material. If cooling is carried out in the refrigerator, crocuses can be kept there by wrapping in thick paper and without planting in the ground, up to a month.

Store-bought bulbs are usually well dried and have gone through the high temperature storage phase, but also need to be refrigerated. They are kept in a room for several days for adaptation, and then, like the bulbs from the garden, they are placed in the refrigerator.

Planting corms

So, if the distillation is planned for the New Year, they are planted in the first decade of September, if in February-March - respectively in October or November. Any loose, air- and water-permeable soil with a neutral reaction is used as a substrate.

The presence of nutrients in it does not affect the quality of flowering; distillation can be done in sand, expanded clay, or even in a flask with water.

However, if it is planned to continue to use the plant as a home flower, it is better to plant the crocus in a nutrient substrate, consisting, for example, of leafy, soddy soil and coarse sand, which will provide nutrition for the emerging flower buds of the next year. When forcing in the sand before budding, such plantings must be fed.

Sometimes for better conservation bulbs and providing conditions for its development, planting in the so-called "sand shirt" is used. A layer of nutrient soil is poured onto the bottom of the pot, covered with a thin layer of sand, into which the bottom of the bulb is buried, then sand is poured to the top, while the roots of the plant receive the necessary nutrition, and the body of the bulb is protected from decay.

For greater decorativeness, crocuses grown as indoor flowers are planted in flat, wide containers of several pieces, following certain rules.

In a separate pot, they try to place planting material of the same variety and size, since only in this case the crocuses will sprout evenly, bloom at the same time, and the height of the peduncles will be approximately the same. The container must provide good drainage.

The bulbs are planted close to each other, pressing into the soil to an arbitrary depth, completely deepening into the ground or leaving a neck about 1 cm high on the surface, while it is important that they do not come into contact with the walls of the container or with each other.

After planting, the soil is lightly tamped, watered and cleaned in a dark, cold place for rooting. The storage temperature of plantings during this period should be 5-9 ° C, and if it is necessary to delay flowering, then for some time it can drop to 1-2 ° C.

Such conditions can be created in household refrigerator or in the basement, garage. The rooting period is on average from two to two and a half months. At this time, homemade crocuses do not require care. They need only occasionally, after complete drying of the surface layer, watered, and, if necessary, protected from rodents.

How to grow

Flowers ready for distillation are transferred to a bright, cool place, in an apartment this is usually a window sill, protected from direct sunlight. Under such conditions, the bulbs bloom in 10-15 days.

During the forcing of crocuses, home care consists in maintaining the desired temperature and moderate watering, which is carried out 2-3 times a week, be sure to drain excess liquid from the pan. The culture tolerates the dry air of apartments with central heating well, it does not need spraying. At this time, plantings are not fed.

Care for long flowering

It must be remembered that at 20 ° C and above, these spring primroses fade quickly, in a few hours, immediately losing their decorative effect. Excess lighting also has a detrimental effect on them, and the flowers bloom quickly and immediately wither not only in the sun, but also in the bright light of incandescent bulbs.

For long flowering the culture is protected from direct sunlight and kept at a temperature of 14 to 16 ° C, at night it is even permissible to lower it to negative values ​​\u200b\u200b(from -1 to -3 ° C). Under such conditions, some varieties remain decorative for up to three weeks.

After forcing, crocuses usually do not bloom a second time, they are either thrown away or planted in the garden, where new babies form after a while.

Re-forcing is possible only with a well-preserved bulb, in this case, flowering is provided by newly formed young bulbs, and it will be much weaker and later in time. Care for homemade crocuses that are planned to be reused has some peculiarities.

As mentioned above, they are planted in nutrient soil, provide double feeding, before growth and after flowering, using ammonium or potassium nitrate as a fertilizer.

Water only in the pan, so that the water level is several centimeters below the bottom of the bulb, which will protect the latter from rotting. Watering is stopped after the leaves turn yellow and fall off. In September, the plants are transplanted into a fresh substrate and the growing process begins again.

Source: http://www.flowerbank.ru/?p=2349

Learning to care

There is something mysterious and touching in the picture, which can be observed with the arrival of spring, when primroses stretch their fragile stems with delicate buds straight from under the snow towards the sun.

It causes delight, surprise and a storm of positive emotions, which is why crocuses are so loved by gardeners: planting and caring for them does not take much effort and does not require special costs, and the result is inspiring. Popular and cultivation of these bulbous flowers at home.

Soil and site requirements

For planting crocuses in the garden, it is advisable to choose an open area that warms up well and is illuminated by the sun. But their cultivation in open ground will be successful in the shade of deciduous trees. In early spring, when the time comes for crocuses to bloom, their branches are not yet covered with dense foliage and do not obscure the light they need from the plants.

In heavily shaded areas: under coniferous trees, near the walls of different buildings - the development of perennials slows down. They form fewer buds, which also do not fully bloom. The natural environment for crocuses are meadows, where perennial grasses are found in abundance in their neighborhood.

This makes it possible to plant them in the area next to ornamental plants medium height: peonies, ivy.

Primrose bulbs are demanding on the level of soil moisture. So that growing crocuses does not end with their rapid decay and death, it is important to choose a dry, well-drained site for them. You can determine a suitable place for flowers by meeting 2 requirements:

  • moisture does not stagnate on it after melting snow or rain;
  • groundwater is located far from the surface of the earth.

Loose soils are ideal for crocuses, providing their bulbs with free access to air and moisture and rich in nutrients. Light loams are well suited for them. It is impossible to call a culture demanding in terms of soil quality. Its cultivation is also possible on depleted soil. Some hybrid varieties of crocuses are successfully bred in areas with dense clay soil.

Mandatory conditions for the full development of flowers are a neutral soil reaction and good drainage. If you have to plant plants in acidic soil, lime, dolomite flour, ash, and chalk are first added to it. They will help optimize the content of hydrogen ions in the earth and create favorable conditions for the development of crocuses.

You can enrich the soil for flowers by digging it with organic fertilizers. Suitable for this compost, rotted manure, peat.

Landing Features

Planting crocuses in open ground, depending on their variety, can be carried out in summer or autumn. If the flowering period of a plant falls in the spring, its corms are placed in the soil in September. The depth of the hole depends on the structure of the earth on the site.

When planting in loose soil, it is equal to 2 bulb diameters. In a situation where the soil in the garden is dense and heavy, the depth of the hole is made equal to 1 diameter. A drainage layer of gravel, coarse river sand, broken brick, crushed stone or pebbles is laid on its bottom.

If the selected crocus variety is afraid of moisture, the beds for it should be made high.

Bulbs should be planted at a distance of at least 7-10 cm from each other. They are carefully inspected beforehand, rejecting damaged and diseased ones. Growing crocuses will require regular transplants, which are carried out every 3-5 years.

During this time, many children appear on the bulbs, and the flower bed begins to resemble a lawn completely covered with flowers. Therefore, initially it is better to plant plants at a significant interval. After placing the bulbs in the ground, the beds are watered abundantly.

If a variety of crocuses is chosen for breeding, the flowering period of which falls in autumn, they are planted until mid-summer. Then their tender buds will bloom in September or October. The cultivation of such varieties has its own specifics. It is not recommended to plant them in open ground with collected or already opened buds. Otherwise, the chances of successful survival of the plant are negligible.

Forcing Secrets

You can also admire the graceful buds of crocuses in winter. They feel comfortable at home, while taking care of them in a pot is not at all difficult. Ideal for forcing Dutch plant varieties with large flowers. Their bulbs are subjected to a thorough inspection, selecting approximately the same size.

For breeding crocuses at home, it is better to use shallow, but wide containers. 5-10 bulbs are planted in them, depending on the size of the pot. The soil is poured into it neutral, light, porous, well-permeable to air and water. Drainage is laid at the bottom of the pot. This element when planting crocuses is required both in the garden and at home.

When the bulbs fade, they do not stop caring for them. They need to be watered and fertilized. For top dressing, complex mineral compositions are usually used, intended for indoor plants, dissolving them in water in a smaller proportion than indicated by the manufacturer.

They begin to gradually reduce watering at home when yellowness begins to appear on the leaves of the crocus. After they have completely dried out, the bulbs are removed from the pot and the remains of the soil are carefully removed from them. Then, wrapping them in a clean napkin, place them in cardboard box, which is placed in a dark and dry place.

Bulbs are stored there until the beginning of autumn, and with its arrival, the time comes for their planting in the garden.

Agricultural rules

Caring for crocuses in the open field will not take much time. They practically do not need watering.

It will be necessary to moisten the soil in the beds only if there was no snow in winter, and rain in spring.

The amount of water received by the bulb only affects the height of the plants; in general, they tolerate drought well. In summer, watering crocuses is even harmful; in the dormant phase, dry soil is preferable for them.

Source: http://GoodGrunt.ru/cvety/krokusy-v-otkrytom-grunte.html

Construction secrets

Crocus is a delicate primrose that has been attracting flower lovers for centuries with the beauty of its buds.

It is this flower that is one of the first to welcome the coming spring, and it is quite possible to grow it on the windowsill. If you plant a crocus, home care will not require much effort, and very soon it will delight the owners with magnificent flowering.

This is one of the simplest and at the same time charming houseplants.

Appearance and flowering period

Crocus has been grown for many hundreds of years, it has received wide distribution in natural conditions in the Mediterranean countries, in Eastern Europe, it is also found in Central Asia. It is known that this flower was highly valued by the Egyptian pharaohs.

In total, there are more than 100 types of crocus, and some of them bloom not in spring, but in autumn. If you plant two types of crocuses in a room, they will be the first to welcome spring and become the last symbol of the outgoing summer. Grow them both in the garden and at home.

Crocus features:

  • The height of the crocus stem can reach 25 cm, at the root there are several scales that make the plant somewhat similar to a tulip during the flowering period. The flower is goblet-shaped, it has six petals, which can have a very different color.
  • Any variety of crocus has yellow or orange stamens, this is one of the distinguishing features plants.
  • Flowers can be both single-color and two-color: white-blue, bluish-lilac, etc.
  • Blooming crocuses can be a real holiday: bright buds decorate any room, and you can adjust the flowering period to a certain date: for example, you can make the bud fully bloom by March 8 or by Christmas.

Growth and flowering conditions

In the spring, they begin active growth, and by mid-summer the leaves completely dry out and fall off. The aerial part of the plant must completely die off, after which the bulb goes into a dormant phase, it must restore strength for the next flowering period. To ensure rapid growth for crocuses, they need to create conditions that will be as close to natural as possible.

Basic principles of growing at home:

  • These are photophilous plants that prefer well-lit places. When choosing a place for crocuses, you should prefer the south side of the house: this will provide the plants with sunlight. If they grow in the shade, the buds will not fully open.
  • The second important condition is necessarily drained soil. If moisture stagnates in the soil, the bulb will begin to rot very soon. Coarse river sand can be used as drainage, gravel is also suitable.
  • Watering should be moderate, but regular. During the entire dormant period, the bulb should be in a dry environment, it is not necessary to spray it.
  • Indoor crocuses do not like acidic soil, it is best to choose loams that will not retain moisture. Depleted soils are diluted with rotted manure mixed with lime; leafy soil can also be used.
  • When transplanting, it is necessary to use only fresh soil, it can consist of turf and leaf soil, as well as clean sand. When transplanting, you can add a small amount of mineral dressing, which includes potassium and phosphates.
  • The normal temperature in the room is 18-20 degrees; in winter, the bulbs should be kept in a cool room at a temperature not exceeding 10 degrees.

disembarkation

For storage and subsequent planting, it is necessary to choose the most dense bulbs with a large mass.

All their shells must be intact, there should not be softened areas on the bulb, indicating the onset of decay. They are transplanted into the ground about three months before the desired flowering time.

For example, if you need to get flowers for the New Year, the bulbs are planted in the ground around mid-September.

Planting and transplanting crocus:

  • Shallow and wide pots are chosen for planting, and if several bulbs are planted in one container, they should not come into contact with each other, as well as with the walls of the pots.
  • Often, a thick layer of sand is placed in the pots first, and a layer of soil is placed on top. This will provide both root nutrition and good drainage.
  • The top of the bulb is sometimes left on the surface, but more often it is completely buried in the ground.
  • After planting, pots with bulbs are placed in a dark room for about 2 months.
  • During this period, the bulbs give roots, they should take root well. After that, the first green sprouts will appear.
  • When their height is 3-5 cm, the plants are taken out into the light, they should grow at a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees.
  • It is important that the temperature is not higher: in this case, the crocuses will grow very quickly, and they will bloom in the shortest possible time.

Bulbs should be watered moderately: crocuses are classified as drought-resistant bulbous plants, so they calmly tolerate the drying of the topsoil. Watering is continued until the leaves of the plant completely fall off. regular watering after flowering will allow the bulb to gain enough moisture and nutrients for the subsequent dormant period.

On the windowsill

In general, caring for crocuses is quite simple, but if you know certain subtleties and nuances, you can not only get abundant flowering, but also to achieve the appearance of buds by a certain date.

A few growing features that experienced flower growers use:

  • It is necessary to choose the right variety of crocuses. There are more than a hundred of them in total: there are early and late varieties that you need to consider if you want to get beautiful buds by a certain time. In addition, there are large-flowered and small-flowered varieties: it is better to give preference to the first of them. Small-flowered crocuses look far from being so impressive.
  • Crocuses of several varieties cannot be planted in one common container: they will have different stem heights, in addition, due to different terms flowering, it is impossible to strictly observe the forcing conditions. As a result, the pot will be in the sun when the root system is not yet sufficiently formed in late varieties. As a result, plants will not be able to produce large buds.
  • It is advisable to plant bulbs of approximately the same size in a container. Small bulbs bloom later, so it will not be possible to achieve uniform, friendly flowering.
  • Exposure of plants in the first period after planting in the ground should be carried out in a cold room. An attic, a cellar will do, in an apartment the bulbs can be placed on the loggia, if you create an artificial blackout.
  • Before bringing the crocuses into the light, you need to feel the sprout that has appeared: it should be as dense as possible to the touch, this indicates that the plant is already ready for forcing. If the sprout seems loose, the time for the light phase has not yet come.

Experienced flower growers know another secret to prolonging flowering: during this period, plants need to be removed at night in the cold: if the night temperature is only about 3 degrees, the duration of flowering can be significantly increased. Overheating the plant has the opposite effect: if the temperature is above 20 degrees, the crocus can bloom in a few hours.

Reproduction and variety selection

Crocuses reproduce most often by daughter bulbs, planting material for purchase is chosen at the very end of summer or at the beginning of autumn. Every year, each bulb produces several babies that can be used for subsequent forcing.

Most often, seeds are used for breeding work: such reproduction will allow you to get buds of unusual colors, which can decorate both the windowsill and the flower bed. However, if you use seeds, you can get the first flowering no earlier than after 3 years.

Most often for home growing large-flowered Dutch hybrids are selected, which are distinguished by their endurance and very beautiful flowering. These varieties are propagated by bulbous children, they can be purchased at any specialized store.

A few common orts:

  • Blue Vangart is one of the Dutch varieties that has an interesting bluish-purple bud with bright yellow stamens. Belongs to the number of early-flowering large-flowered, such a plant will be the best decoration of the room.
  • Remembrance is a large-flowered variety with goblet dark purple buds. The plant has a very early abundant flowering: it begins to bloom in March or April. It has a strong erect stem, can be grown both in the garden and in the room.
  • "Jeanne D'Arc" - a variety of crocuses with large snow-white petals and bright yellow stamens. Great for growing on a windowsill, can be a good decoration for a flower bed.

Each variety of crocuses is unique in its own way: you can choose plants with yellow, blue, purple, white and other buds. Several pots with crocuses of various varieties will allow you to create the most interesting decorative composition at home. This is a great option for home floriculture, and if the technology is followed, the bulbous plant will delight the owner with abundant and long flowering.


Crocuses: planting and caring for them in the open field require specific knowledge so that this fragile and delicate flower takes root in the soil and pleases the eyes of the owners with its colorful petals. Another name for the plant is saffron, and most gardeners believe that it blooms exclusively in spring. However, breeders have long developed special varieties of crocuses that can bloom in autumn.

Selection of planting material and landing site

Saffrons are common throughout almost the entire territory of Eurasia and feel good in temperate climate. But, before moving on to the issue of planting and caring for outdoor crocuses, you need to choose healthy plant bulbs and allocate the right place for planting flowers in your garden.

How to choose viable saffron bulbs:



Even healthy parts of future flowers require pre-treatment before planting. It is necessary to peel off the old skin from the bulbs and disinfect them by sprinkling with ash or soaking in a solution of manganese.

Planting and caring for crocuses in the open field should take place in spacious flower beds (flowers are capable of a short time occupy the entire area). They should be located in an open area where there is a lot of sunlight. Therefore, it is not recommended to plant saffron under trees with a dense crown.

The soil for crocuses of all subspecies should not be excessively wet. The soil structure should be loose, nutritious, light and not acidic. Do not be afraid if the soil in the garden does not meet these requirements, it can be made suitable for saffron using simple methods. Large river sand, gravel or crushed stone, which is used as a drainage layer, will help get rid of excessive dampness. The acidity of the soil neutralizes the mixture and lime, ash or rotted manure.

Planting time for crocuses in the garden

When to plant crocuses outdoors? It all depends on the type of plant that the gardener has chosen, but they are all divided into flowers that bloom in spring or autumn.

Spring flowering plants include:


Since the flowering of these subspecies of ornamental flora occurs in the spring, crocuses are planted in open ground in the fall. They should be planted from late September to early October.

If spring-flowering varieties are planted earlier than the second half of September, then saffron may bloom by the frost period and eventually die. And if you plant a flower later than the first half of October, then the soil for the bulbs will be too cold, they will not be able to take root in it and simply freeze.

Autumn flowering subspecies of saffron include:



Flowers bloom in the garden in autumn, and therefore crocuses are planted in the ground in spring (late May) or early summer (first half of July).

How to care for saffron?

Saffron is not a flower that needs abundant watering. If autumn or spring (depending on what kind of flower is planted) were rich in precipitation, then they should be watered only when the soil becomes dry, not only on the surface, but also in depth. Otherwise, the plants can simply rot.

Outdoor crocus care is fairly easy. Periodically, it will be necessary to weed the flower rows, getting rid of weeds. The soil (especially after rain) must be loosened so that the root system of plants has access to air.

Like any decorative flowers, crocuses need to be fed. However, fertilizing saffron with organic mixtures is not recommended. It is better to purchase granular, enriched with potassium and phosphorus. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers should be applied with caution, in small doses, as they can provoke the growth of fungus on the plant bulbs.

Top dressing should be applied in at least 2 stages: first fertilize the soil before planting crocuses, and then during their period of enhanced growth.

Below are photos of crocuses in the open field:

Crocuses belong to the Iris family. These are bulbous perennial herbs, unique in their properties, application and beauty. One of the first to bloom in spring, has long been considered a symbol of love and youth. Planting crocuses is possible at home in a pot, but with proper care.

known more than 100 varieties of crocus, some bloom in spring, others - in winter.

Description of indoor crocus

The stem reaches a height of 20-25 cm. At the roots there is a semblance of scales. The flower resembles the shape of a glass. It has 6 petals with a variety of colors. They are narrowish, linear, tucked up on the sides. Flowers are monophonic and two-color (yellow and blue shades).

After flowering the main crocus bulb dies off, and bulbs appear instead. They are separated and transplanted. Flowering "babies" occurs a year after transplantation. You can also grow flowers from seeds, but this will most likely lead to a loss of varietal properties.

Transfer bulbs to storage only after weathering for 2 weeks.

The nuances of growing a house in a pot

Breeding plants will not be a difficult task if you follow the principles:

  • Providing adequate lighting;
  • maintenance temperature balance- up to 20, and in winter - up to 10 degrees.
  • Soil drainage (gravel, river sand);
  • Irrigation in small volumes, but regularly;
  • Landing in the ground, consisting of turf, leaves and sand;
  • Use loam, fertilize with a mixture of manure and lime;
  • to plant only elastic bulbs.

Disembarkation in progress 3 months before expected flowering.

For planting, you need to use only elastic crocus bulbs

Varieties for growing at home

Dutch varieties are best suited for growing indoors:

  1. Joan of Arc- is distinguished by voluminous white petals and yellow stigmas, a light lilac base and a height of 4 cm. Flowering in mid-April.
  2. Flower Record- a small stem, but a large bud of a purple-blue color with a darkish base. Flowering at the end of April.
  3. cream beauty- has large golden buds and yellow-orange stamens. Flowering in early May.
  4. blue pearl- small blue buds with a yellow base, up to 8 cm high. Flowering in early April.
  5. Prince Claus- differs in the snow-white color of the bud with a bright purple back and a strong aroma, up to 8 cm high. Flowering in early April.

How to plant

Planting in a pot can be divided into several stages, which begin with the choice of the bulb.

2 weeks before flowering, we move the pot home, observing a gradual increase in temperature.

Selection of planting material

Buy bulbs better in autumn. When choosing, you should pay attention to the absence of stains, putrefactive inclusions and damage to the bulb. They must be removed and treated with ashes.

Preparing for landing

Before forcing, the bulbs are placed in a cool place.

Before forcing the bulb should be placed in a cool place.

  • If the flower is taken from the garden, it is necessary to dry, sort and clean in June when taking it out in a warm room (20-35 degrees). Within 15 days, lower the temperature to 17 degrees. After mid-August, cool again, transferring to a dark place with a temperature of up to 10 degrees, for about 4 weeks.
  • If the bulbs are dried, they are left at a temperature of 20-25 degrees for a couple of days. And then put it in the refrigerator.

Pot

You need to take a container for crocus large diameter and shallow height. Must have or independent production it has drainage.

You should decide in advance the number of bulbs planted in one pot - the choice of the pot depends on this. The bulbs cannot touch each other and the walls of the container. On sale there are special pots for planting bulbs. They have holes for germinated flowers.

The stigmas of crocus flowers are saffron

The stigmas of the crocus flower are used in cooking as a spice - saffron.

Landing

To the bottom of the pot lay out pieces of brick or tile. Under it is a tray for collecting liquid. A sandy or sandy loam layer is prepared, soil is poured on top. Bulbs of similar sizes and the same type are planted in each pot.

Can be planted in sand, as well as in a mixture of leaves and turf. The bulbs cooled in advance are transferred to a pot, placing 10 cm apart and from the walls of the tank. You can bury them in the ground, or you can leave them on the surface (planting depth 5-10 cm).

After planting, the pot is cleaned in a dark and cool room (up to +10 degrees). And the rooting process begins.

Care

Watering rules

Immediately after planting, watering is not needed if the soil was moist before that.

As the land dries out, irrigation of the soil with a small amount of water is required. Excess liquid harms the bulbs.

Avoid contact with the petals when watering - this can cause brown spots. Water the plant abundantly - when the first sprouts appear and until the flowers wither. Then watering is done less and less, and after September they stop completely.

When watering, try not to fall on the crocus petals.

Necessary lighting

After landing the first time plant maturation required. It is carried out in dark, cool places. If you are going to rearrange the pot to the light, you need to check the sprout. If it is loose, you must wait a little longer until the light stage comes.

With a sprout height of 5 cm, it is transferred to a bright, cool place (up to 15 degrees). As the flowering period begins, containers with plants are transferred to a cool, dark place.

Humidity level

Required good drainage to avoid stagnant water. Loose soil is also suitable, which provides moisture and air to maintain moisture levels. As a dark, cool room, you can choose a basement.

Crocus blooms in up to 10 days.

top dressing

It is carried out only in the active phase of growth (in the spring and summer periods). Use mineral or organic fertilizers at least 3 times over the entire period.

To increase the flowering period, phosphorus-containing top dressing is used. Potash fertilizers are added to improve the condition of the bulbs and maintain their health during wintering. Avoid nitrogen-containing fertilizers, they may be the result of the appearance of the fungus on the plant.

Phosphorus-containing top dressing is used to increase the flowering period.

Extra Care

When caring for crocuses leaves should not be plucked until they are completely wilted(not before the end of May). Since this will lead to weakening of the bulbs.

Usually the same bulb do not reuse, but if you still decide to do this, then you need to consider the facts:

  • Choose nutrient soil;
  • Apply top dressing;
  • Irrigate the soil through the pallet.

Is it possible to extend the flowering of crocus - is it possible or not, and is it necessary

During the tying of the bud, the temperature regime at home is needed no more than 16 degrees. So you can prolong flowering for several weeks.

To increase the flowering period, it is enough to follow the rules:

  • Move to a cool place at night, where the temperature is 1-3 degrees;
  • Reduce illumination;
  • Remove from direct sunlight.

When fading, the crocus will not re-bloom.

Crocuses are beautiful and fragrant flowers that proper fit and care will easily grow at home. They can be a wonderful gift for the desired date and holiday. They will also please the eye and create comfort.

Crocus is a perennial with delightful flowers that appear with the first rays of the warm spring sun. The plant belongs to the Iris family and has more than 100 species. This flower can be found in Europe, the Caucasus, Asia and the Mediterranean. In home floriculture, planting crocuses in pots is used, and if desired, you can plan their flowering, knowing and applying certain basics of forcing.

Selection of planting material for crocuses

When choosing bulbs for planting, you need to consider the variety of crocuses. Suitable for home gardening dutch hybrids. They are adapted to room conditions and bloom in large, bright buds, unlike wild varieties.

Crocuses are divided according to the size of the bulb. In this case, it is not its diameter that is taken into account, but the circumference. The larger the size of the planting material, the faster the plant will bloom. It is better to choose number 8, 9, 10, then you can count on 3-5 large buds.

Preparing for forcing homemade crocuses

So that the bulb home flower crocus "woke up" from winter sleep, she should feel the arrival of spring. To do this, a well-dried, undamaged, paper-wrapped onion is placed in fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Bulbs of garden crocuses are stored at a temperature of 17-18 degrees before forcing, and are also placed in the refrigerator or underground when the time comes. The whole process, including cooling, planting crocus and rooting in the ground, takes about 3 months.

How to plant corms at home

The composition of the soil is not of great importance when forcing bulbs of domestic crocus flowers. They can be planted in expanded clay, earth, sand, but if the plant is planted in a permanent place, then it is better to choose a light soil with peat and leaf mixture.

Distillation in sand provides for more thorough care of the crocus and constant feeding, since the plant will not have enough nutrients.

Crocuses planted in priming, cool, cleaning in a dark place for 1-2 months. For these purposes, an underground or vegetable pit is suitable.

How to grow crocuses at home?

As soon as there are signs of rooting - roots and green sprouts, the container or flowerpot with the homemade crocus flower must be moved to a cool, bright place. As a rule, it is installed on the windowsill on the north side. The soil in the pot needs to be regularly moistened, but there is no need to fertilize. Proper care of crocus at home will help the plant bloom in 10-15 days.

Indoor crocuses: how to prolong flowering

Crocus breeders love the rich, rich colors of its buds. However, these capricious bulbous plants able to fade very quickly, and in some cases the buds may not appear.

If you observe the correct temperature regime and create gentle lighting, a homemade crocus flower can bloom for several weeks. During the period of tying a bud, the air temperature in the room should not exceed 16 degrees. Otherwise, the flower quickly dries up and falls off.

Crocuses: home care

In order for the home crocus flower to bloom longer, you must:

  • clean it at night in a cool room, the optimum temperature is 1-3 degrees of cold;
  • choose a place where the bright sun will not penetrate;
  • reduce the brightness of electric lighting in the room.

A faded plant will not bloom again.. Therefore, it can be thrown away or buried in the garden. A homemade crocus flower planted in the ground will eventually give baby bulbs from which new decorative crocuses can be grown. But keep in mind that small bulbs, as a rule, either do not produce flowers at all, or are distinguished by the appearance of small, inexpressive buds.

If you still decide to use an onion secondarily, you should follow the strict rules for caring for crocus:

  • pick up nutrient soil;
  • use fertilizer and top dressing;
  • moisten the soil only through the pan so that the bulb does not rot.

As soon as the leaves of an adult homemade crocus flower dry up and fall off, they stop watering it, and the bulb is taken out, dried and prepared for storage in order to be planted again in the substrate at the right time. Crocus care at home is difficult, but the bright, unusual buds are so delightful that many, even novice growers, grow these flowers with great enthusiasm.

The best varieties of crocuses

There are a huge number of species and varieties of this beautiful plant. Breeders never stop experimenting with colors buds and constantly bring out new varieties.

If you seriously decide to start growing and forcing crocuses, choose hybrid Dutch varieties, which are combined by experts into one group called Chrysanthus. These bulbs are adapted for home floriculture and have pronounced decorative qualities:

"Blue Purple", "Prince Claus" - bluish milky;

"Goldilox", "Dorothy", "Romance", "Mamut" - ocher;

"Cream Beauty" - creamy vanilla;

"Gypsy Girl", "Advance" - two-tone, contrasting.

Varieties of homemade crocus flowers with large buds are especially popular with florists, such as:

"Purpureus Grandiflorus";

"Flower Record";

"Remembrance";

Grand Meter.

Original large-budded species that can be grown at home are Lagest Yellow (yellow) and Ruby Giant (purple red).

Crocus in a pot can become a bright accent of winter and spring holidays. How to care for a plant in order to get flowering specimens by a certain date? Growing crocus indoors is not difficult if the corms are properly prepared for forcing. It is advisable to use planting material of the Dutch selection, in this case the room will be decorated with large flowers of bright color, resembling an elegant bowl in shape.

Crocus, or saffron - a harbinger of spring

Crocuses are herbaceous bulbous perennials, representatives of the genus Saffron, all species belong to the Iris family. Plants start growing in early spring, colorful buds emerge from the ground before narrow long leaves. The corollas of crocuses, resembling an ancient goblet in shape, open wide on a clear day and close in inclement weather. In the people, these large flowers on a low thin stem are called the harbingers of spring, decorative onions.

In the color of the petals different types and varieties of crocus, almost all shades of purple, blue, lilac are found, there are varieties and hybrids with white, yellow, pink and purple corollas. Saffron is found in the wild in the countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins, its cultivars have spread throughout the world. Crocus is bred indoors in a pot, the care of this plant should maximally recreate conditions reminiscent of temperature changes in the homeland of the plant. At the first stage, the bulbs need warmth, and before forcing - in the cold, which happens in winter in the soil. The entire pre-planting period, the temperature conditions change in stages so that the bulbs adapt to them.

Which crocuses are suitable for forcing indoors

The choice of planting material should be taken carefully, taking into account the characteristics of different groups of varieties of this flowering plant. For example, species common in nature give small buds indoors. Care of crocuses - chrysanthus saffron hybrids - is difficult, its petals often dry out indoors. It is easier to get large flowers from Dutch hybrids created during the selection of spring crocus (Crocus vernus).

The most common cultivated species in the wild is found in the Pyrenees and the Alps, where its single purple or lilac corollas reach a diameter of 5 cm. From this species, cultivars are obtained that are combined into a group of large-flowered or Dutch crocuses. They are unpretentious, and the size of the goblet corollas exceeds the flowers of the natural type by 2 times. More than 50 varieties have been bred, differing in size and color of flowers. There are cultivars with white, purple, blue, yellow, purple petals. Many hybrids are characterized by contrasting transitions of shades, stripes, dashes. Plants reach a height of 15 cm, long narrow leaves appear after the buds. Bulbs of crocus varieties of the Dutch group are covered with brown skin on top.

How to choose corms for distillation in the store

For forcing indoors, different varieties of saffron are used. Looks very decorative in the room large-flowered crocus. Most flower growers know how to care for indoor plants at home, but few know how to choose saffron corms to get flowers for the New Year and the Orthodox holiday of the Nativity of Christ. You should pay attention to early hybrids, because late varieties bloom in April-May.

It is better to go to a flower shop for planting material in August or September. At the end of summer, corms of the new crop go on sale. Usually they are removed from the ground after flowering, then stored for some time at temperatures above 30 ° C. In the store, you need to inspect the bulbs, choose those that have a diameter of at least 5 or 7–8 cm in circumference. If you plant large specimens, then flowers will appear faster from them, a crocus in a pot will be more magnificent. Care for the next 4-5 weeks is to store the corms in a cool and dry place.

How to prepare crocuses from the garden for forcing

How to grow a crocus in a pot, how to care for it if the bulbs are dug out on garden plot grown in a flower bed? Such material is also suitable for planting. It is better if these are large-flowered varieties of the Dutch group:

  • "Flower Record" (dark purple) - most often used for distillation;
  • "Remembrance" (purple);
  • "Vangart" (light blue, lilac) - an early variety;
  • "Nigro Boy" (dark purple) - late;
  • "Joan of Ar" (white);
  • "Yellow Mammoth" (yellow).

The process of preparing the selected bulbs for forcing takes at least three months. In June, crocuses are dug out of the ground in a garden plot or in rock gardens. Then they are dried and selected for forcing large specimens without visible defects, which will make a beautiful crocus in a pot. How to care for corms so that the forcing result is excellent?

bulb storage

Duration and temperature conditions of storage of planting material:

  • 1 week - at a temperature of 32-34 ° C;
  • 2 weeks - 20 °C;
  • 5-6 weeks - 17 ° C;
  • 4-5 weeks - at a temperature of 4-9 ° C (in the refrigerator or in a dark, cool room with low humidity).

If you plan to get a flowering crocus earlier, then the cooling period of the corms can be reduced. When forcing saffron to New Year's holiday bulbs should be planted in the first ten days of September. And if flowers are needed in February or March, then crocuses are planted 1-2 months later.

How to grow crocuses in a pot

After cooling, the saffron bulbs are placed in pots where rooting takes place. Crocuses are usually grown in shallow but wide containers. Place several bulbs that belong to the same variety in one pot or container in order to get flowers at the same time. Fill the containers with drainage material, then loose soil with good air and water permeability.

The reaction of the substrate should be neutral, and its nutritional properties do not matter, because everything necessary for the future flower is stored in the bulb. Knowing this, some flower growers carry out distillation in fine granite chips, sand, expanded clay. Crocus can also be grown in containers filled with a mixture of leafy soil, turf, and coarse washed sand.

How to care for saffron after planting

It is very important to prevent the bulbs from rotting, so they should not touch. Also, when disembarking, you should not press the crocus in a pot against the walls of the container. How to care before forcing:

  • lightly tamp the soil around the bulbs;
  • water;
  • remove the pot or other container with crocuses in a dark, cool room for rooting;
  • water only when the top layer of the substrate dries.

Rooting of crocuses at a temperature not exceeding 9 ° C continues for 9-12 weeks. In the event that flowering should begin later, cool the bulbs to 2 ° C and store a little longer. By the beginning of budding, a sprout about 5 cm long appears at the top of the bulb, white threads of roots are visible in the drainage holes of the pot.

forcing crocuses

How to care for crocuses before the flowers appear? In about two weeks, containers with corms are transferred to a room where they should bloom. It should be a cool place, because crocuses do not tolerate heat. A room where the temperature rises above 20 ° C is not suitable for flowering saffron.

An excess of sunlight or artificial light has a negative effect: the buds bloom faster and fade after a few hours. Crocus bloom will last up to three weeks if moderate diffused lighting and a temperature of about 15 ° C are provided. At night, the room where the flowers are located should be cool.

Frequent watering is harmful to crocus, it is better to add water once every 2-3 days. Plants can not be sprayed with water, they tolerate low humidity well.

Possible problems in growing saffron, their elimination

A charming “green pet” has appeared on your windowsill in a pot - a crocus (flower). How to care for this plant to ensure its decorative appearance?

When flowering is over, the bulbs can be left to dry in pots. In autumn, they are useful for planting in open ground. If you leave the corms in a container and store them indoors, then they are unsuitable for re-distillation in this form.

After the winter cold in the country or in a city apartment, beautiful crocus flowers give a lot of positive emotions. If you are not indifferent to this plant, then you need to know the rules for planting and caring for it. These heralds of spring can grow not only in the open field, but also at home on the windowsill. From the article you will learn how to cause crocus to bloom at home for the New Year's holiday or Valentine's Day.

About the plant

These flowers belong to the iris family, they are grown almost all over the world. The bulb of this culture is perfectly adapted for wintering in the open field, so that with the first rays of the sun it will come out of its confinement in the form beautiful flower. It does not bloom for long, fades after a few days, the leaves of this early plant are able to hold out until the middle of the first month of summer, then the dormant period begins. During this period, gardeners dig bulbs for culling and planting in a new place.

This culture, in addition to its aesthetic purpose, has culinary value. The stigmas of the flower are used by culinary specialists as a spice. It is called saffron. How to care for crocuses?

Crocuses: cultivation and care in the open field

In order for these charming flowers to grow lush and beautiful, you need to know how to care for them, propagate, plant. When grown outdoors there are rules for these colors:

Crocus care, as can be seen from the above, is not very complicated. If it is not planned to transplant to a new place, then after flowering it is enough only remove dead ground part . If the plant lives in harsh climatic conditions, it is necessary to cover the bulbs with a layer of leaves or dry grass for the winter. Transplantation is carried out as follows: in the middle of summer, the plants are dug up, sorted and taken for storage to a well-ventilated place with a positive temperature of 18 - 20 degrees, where they are until planting.

Crocuses can be grown along with other bulbs. In the same flower bed, tulips, daffodils and other bulbs can coexist with them. As they bloom in different time, then your front garden will be constantly in bloom. To do this, in the fall they are planted in accordance with the placement plan on the site.

bulb selection

In order for the flowers to grow beautiful, you need choose bulbs carefully. It is better if the material for the plant is a specially bred variety, it is sold in flower shops. Among the most adapted to the cold conditions of our country, Dutch hybrids stand out. They endure sudden changes in temperature and delight with excellent flowering.

When choosing bulbs, one should be guided by one simple rule: if the planting material is large, then the flowers will form large, from one bush they will turn out a lot. Bags of Dutch hybrids are labeled 10+, this is how bulbs with a circumference of more than ten centimeters are indicated. From this material a powerful bush is formed, on which 5-6 large buds will be tied. Bulbs with an indicator of 8-9 cm give 2-3 flowers. Such selected material for planting is able to reproduce flowers with a diameter of up to 7 cm, while the stem will be up to 20 cm long.

Growing in pots

These flowers are widely grown at home due to the fact that the plant is able to bloom for a certain holiday. Prepare flowering for the New Year, Valentine's Day or March 8th. A special method of forcing plants is used.

Growing crocuses requires wide and not very deep capacity. Be sure to do rather big ones at the bottom drainage holes for removing excess water. A broken brick or the remains of a tile will fit as a drainage; it is placed on the bottom of the pot. Under the container we put a tray to collect moisture. The substrate for crocus needs sandy or sandy loam. The soil does not need to be fertilized. To form a dense bouquet, the bulbs are planted close to each other. To prepare the flowers for the appointed time, you need to know when to plant them. Landing is done 16 weeks before the holiday.

After disembarking, we send the pot for several days in a cool and dark place. Crocuses are grown at a temperature of 5 to 9 degrees. Usually a cellar is used for these purposes, since it has constant temperature and humidity. You should constantly monitor the sprouts, which should not appear before 10 weeks from the moment of disembarkation. If they appear, it means that the plant does not bloom before the appointed date, the temperature in the room must be lowered.

14 weeks after planting, we transfer the pot to the house. You can’t immediately put it in a warm place, we prepare the flower for a high temperature gradually. First we place it in a cold room, then a warmer one, and lastly we put it on the windowsill of the warmest room. After a while, flowers will appear that will delight with their beauty for only 10 days.

Types of crocuses

All varieties of culture conditionally divided into several groups:

  1. Botanical or flowering in early spring.
  2. Large-flowered or blooming in spring.
  3. Blooming in autumn.

The first group includes crocuses that can give flowers after the last snow has melted. This period, depending on the region, is between February and April. The plant is not very tall, reaches 8 cm, the flowers are beautiful. Botanical buds are not formed very large, but there are many of them and the bushes are lush. These flowers have a very strong and pleasant fragrance.

This group boasts the following varieties:

Large-flowered or flowering in spring bloom after the first group after 10 days. They are distinguished larger buds. The well-known large Dutch hybrids were obtained from these varieties by crossing. In our country, these plants bloom somewhere from mid-April, it all depends on the weather. Sometimes it happens that they bloom even in conditions of lying snow in dark places. This group has an extensive palette of colors ranging from light whites and yellows to dark purples.

This group includes popular varieties such as:

Blooming autumn crocuses give their beauty in late September or early October. Those that were planted a year earlier shed their leaves in summer and form buds in autumn. Among the most popular varieties of this group is the beautiful crocus. It grows unpretentious, reaches 20 cm, dissolves before anyone else- in the middle of September. Crocus beautiful has a wide palette of colors - from white to purple.

The following varieties are no less popular among autumn crocuses:

  • Long-flowered blooms from early November.
  • The hololithous is distinguished by beautiful purple flowers.
  • Pale buff. Forms small creamy inflorescences.

If you wish to New Year get a beautiful festive bouquet, then plant bulbs in early October. Then to winter holidays with good care, you will get excellent crocuses blooming on the windowsill.

After the winter cold in the country or in a city apartment, beautiful crocus flowers give a lot of positive emotions. If you are not indifferent to this plant, then you need to know the rules for planting and caring for it. These heralds of spring can grow not only in the open field, but also at home on the windowsill. From the article you will learn how to cause crocus to bloom at home for the New Year's holiday or Valentine's Day.

About the plant

These flowers belong to the iris family, they are grown almost all over the world. The bulb of this culture is perfectly adapted for wintering in the open field, so that with the first rays of the sun it will emerge from its confinement in the form of a beautiful flower. It does not bloom for long, fades after a few days, the leaves of this early plant are able to hold out until the middle of the first month of summer, then the dormant period begins. During this period, gardeners dig bulbs for culling and planting in a new place.

This culture, in addition to its aesthetic purpose, has culinary value. The stigmas of the flower are used by culinary specialists as a spice. It is called saffron. How to care for crocuses?

Crocuses: cultivation and care in the open field

In order for these charming flowers to grow lush and beautiful, you need to know how to care for them, propagate, plant. When grown outdoors there are rules for these colors:

Crocus care, as can be seen from the above, is not very complicated. If it is not planned to transplant to a new place, then after flowering it is enough only remove dead ground. If the plant lives in harsh climatic conditions, it is necessary to cover the bulbs with a layer of leaves or dry grass for the winter. Transplantation is carried out as follows: in the middle of summer, the plants are dug up, sorted and taken for storage to a well-ventilated place with a positive temperature of 18 - 20 degrees, where they are until planting.

Crocuses can be grown along with other bulbs. In the same flower bed, tulips, daffodils and other bulbs can coexist with them. Since they bloom at different times, your front garden will be constantly in bloom. To do this, in the fall they are planted in accordance with the placement plan on the site.

bulb selection

In order for the flowers to grow beautiful, you need choose bulbs carefully. It is better if the material for the plant is a specially bred variety, it is sold in flower shops. Among the most adapted to the cold conditions of our country, Dutch hybrids stand out. They endure sudden changes in temperature and delight with excellent flowering.

When choosing bulbs, one should be guided by one simple rule: if the planting material is large, then the flowers will form large, and there will be a lot of them from one bush. Bags of Dutch hybrids are labeled 10+, this is how bulbs with a circumference of more than ten centimeters are indicated. From this material a powerful bush is formed, on which 5-6 large buds will be tied. Bulbs with an indicator of 8-9 cm give 2-3 flowers. Such selected material for planting is able to reproduce flowers with a diameter of up to 7 cm, while the stem will be up to 20 cm long.

Growing in pots

These flowers are widely grown at home due to the fact that the plant is able to bloom for a certain holiday. Prepare flowering for the New Year, Valentine's Day or March 8th. A special method of forcing plants is used.

Growing crocuses requires wide and not very deep capacity. Be sure to make rather big drainage holes at the bottom to remove excess water. A broken brick or the remains of a tile will fit as a drainage; it is placed on the bottom of the pot. Under the container we put a tray to collect moisture. The substrate for crocus needs sandy or sandy loam. The soil does not need to be fertilized. To form a dense bouquet, the bulbs are planted close to each other. To prepare the flowers for the appointed time, you need to know when to plant them. Landing is done 16 weeks before the holiday.

After disembarking, we send the pot for several days in a cool and dark place. Crocuses are grown at a temperature of 5 to 9 degrees. Usually a cellar is used for these purposes, since it has constant temperature and humidity. You should constantly monitor the sprouts, which should not appear before 10 weeks from the moment of disembarkation. If they appear, it means that the plant does not bloom before the appointed date, the temperature in the room must be lowered.

14 weeks after planting, we transfer the pot to the house. You can’t immediately put it in a warm place, we prepare the flower for a high temperature gradually. First we place it in a cold room, then a warmer one, and lastly we put it on the windowsill of the warmest room. After a while, flowers will appear that will delight with their beauty for only 10 days.

Types of crocuses

All varieties of culture conditionally divided into several groups:

  1. Botanical or flowering in early spring.
  2. Large-flowered or blooming in spring.
  3. Blooming in autumn.

The first group includes crocuses that can give flowers after the last snow has melted. This period, depending on the region, is between February and April. The plant is not very tall, reaches 8 cm, the flowers are beautiful. Botanical buds are not formed very large, but there are many of them and the bushes are lush. These flowers have a very strong and pleasant fragrance.

This group boasts the following varieties:

Large-flowered or flowering in spring bloom after the first group after 10 days. They are distinguished larger buds. The well-known large Dutch hybrids were obtained from these varieties by crossing. In our country, these plants bloom somewhere from mid-April, it all depends on the weather. Sometimes it happens that they bloom even in conditions of lying snow in dark places. This group has an extensive palette of colors ranging from light whites and yellows to dark purples.

This group includes popular varieties such as:

Blooming autumn crocuses give their beauty in late September or early October. Those that were planted a year earlier shed their leaves in summer and form buds in autumn. Among the most popular varieties of this group is the beautiful crocus. It grows unpretentious, reaches 20 cm, dissolves before anyone else- in the middle of September. Crocus beautiful has a wide palette of colors - from white to purple.

The following varieties are no less popular among autumn crocuses:

  • Long-flowered blooms from early November.
  • The hololithous is distinguished by beautiful purple flowers.
  • Pale buff. Forms small creamy inflorescences.

If you want to get a wonderful festive bouquet for the New Year, then plant the bulbs in early October. Then by the winter holidays, with good care, you will get excellent crocuses blooming on the windowsill.

crocus flowers




There is something mysterious and touching in the picture, which can be observed with the arrival of spring, when primroses stretch their fragile stems with delicate buds straight from under the snow towards the sun. It causes delight, surprise and a storm of positive emotions, which is why crocuses are so loved by gardeners: planting and caring for them does not take much effort and does not require special costs, and the result is inspiring. Popular and cultivation of these bulbous flowers at home.

Soil and site requirements

For planting crocuses in the garden, it is advisable to choose an open area that warms up well and is illuminated by the sun. But their cultivation in open ground will be successful in the shade of deciduous trees. In early spring, when the time comes for crocuses to bloom, their branches are not yet covered with dense foliage and do not obscure the light they need from the plants. In heavily shaded places: under coniferous trees, near the walls of various buildings, the development of perennials slows down. They form fewer buds, which also do not fully bloom. The natural environment for crocuses are meadows, where perennial grasses are found in abundance in their neighborhood. This makes it possible to plant them on the site next to ornamental plants of medium height: peonies, ivy.

Primrose bulbs are demanding on the level of soil moisture. So that growing crocuses does not end with their rapid decay and death, it is important to choose a dry, well-drained site for them. You can determine a suitable place for flowers by meeting 2 requirements:

  • moisture does not stagnate on it after melting snow or rain;
  • groundwater is located far from the surface of the earth.

Loose soils are ideal for crocuses, providing their bulbs with free access to air and moisture and rich in nutrients. Light loams are well suited for them. It is impossible to call a culture demanding in terms of soil quality. Its cultivation is also possible on depleted soil. Some hybrid varieties of crocuses are successfully bred in areas with dense clay soil.

Mandatory conditions for the full development of flowers are a neutral soil reaction and good drainage. If you have to plant plants in acidic soil, lime, dolomite flour, ash, and chalk are first added to it. They will help optimize the content of hydrogen ions in the earth and create favorable conditions for the development of crocuses.

Dense clay soil before placing the bulbs in it, you need to make it more porous by adding coarse-grained river sand, well-rotted compost or fine gravel.

You can enrich the soil for flowers by digging it with organic fertilizers. Suitable for this compost, rotted manure, peat.

Landing Features

Planting crocuses in open ground, depending on their variety, can be carried out in summer or autumn. If the flowering period of a plant falls in the spring, its corms are placed in the soil in September. The depth of the hole depends on the structure of the earth on the site. When planting in loose soil, it is equal to 2 bulb diameters. In a situation where the soil in the garden is dense and heavy, the depth of the hole is made equal to 1 diameter. A drainage layer of gravel, coarse river sand, broken brick, crushed stone or pebbles is laid on its bottom. If the selected crocus variety is afraid of moisture, the beds for it should be made high.

Bulbs should be planted at a distance of at least 7-10 cm from each other. They are carefully inspected beforehand, rejecting damaged and diseased ones. Growing crocuses will require regular transplants, which are carried out every 3-5 years. During this time, many children appear on the bulbs, and the flower bed begins to resemble a lawn completely covered with flowers. Therefore, initially it is better to plant plants at a significant interval. After placing the bulbs in the ground, the beds are watered abundantly.

If a variety of crocuses is chosen for breeding, the flowering period of which falls in autumn, they are planted until mid-summer. Then their tender buds will bloom in September or October. The cultivation of such varieties has its own specifics. It is not recommended to plant them in open ground with collected or already opened buds. Otherwise, the chances of successful survival of the plant are negligible.

If the crocus with buds wilted after being placed in the ground, it is necessary to cut off the withered foliage and flowering stem from it. IN next year he will release new ones. However, the plant will fully bloom only after 2 years, when its bulb has accumulated enough strength.

Crocus Forcing Secrets

You can also admire the graceful buds of crocuses in winter. They feel comfortable at home, while taking care of them in a pot is not at all difficult. Ideal for forcing Dutch plant varieties with large flowers. Their bulbs are subjected to a thorough inspection, selecting approximately the same size.

For breeding crocuses at home, it is better to use shallow, but wide containers. 5-10 bulbs are planted in them, depending on the size of the pot. The soil is poured into it neutral, light, porous, well-permeable to air and water. Drainage is laid at the bottom of the pot. This element when planting crocuses is required both in the garden and at home.

When the bulbs fade, they do not stop caring for them. They need to be watered and fertilized. For top dressing, complex mineral compositions intended for indoor plants are usually used, dissolving them in water in a smaller proportion than indicated by the manufacturer. They begin to gradually reduce watering at home when yellowness begins to appear on the leaves of the crocus. After they have completely dried out, the bulbs are removed from the pot and the remains of the soil are carefully removed from them. Then, wrapped in a clean napkin, they are placed in a cardboard box, which is placed in a dark and dry place. Bulbs are stored there until the beginning of autumn, and with its arrival, the time comes for their planting in the garden.

Agricultural rules

Caring for crocuses in the open field will not take much time. They practically do not need watering. It will be necessary to moisten the soil in the beds only if there was no snow in winter, and rain in spring. The amount of water received by the bulb only affects the height of the plants; in general, they tolerate drought well. In summer, watering crocuses is even harmful; in the dormant phase, dry soil is preferable for them.

The essential elements of flower care include:

  • top dressing;
  • regular loosening of the soil;
  • weed removal.

During the period of active growth, plants need to be fed. Fresh organic fertilizers are contraindicated for them, their application can provoke various diseases. Feed them only with mineral compounds. Of these, it is better to choose those that contain a lot of phosphorus and potassium and little nitrogen. Its excess in the soil stimulates the active growth of extra leaves on the flowers, which can cause them to be hit. fungal diseases. It is especially dangerous in wet weather. It is permissible to use peat or manure to enrich the soil, but only completely rotted.

Two feedings are recommended. The first is carried out in early spring, while the snow has not yet melted, scattering complex fertilizer over it. Crocuses are fed the second time when 14-21 days have passed since the beginning of their flowering, using preparations with a minimum nitrogen content. During this period, plants especially need potassium. It helps their bulbs turn into high-quality and healthy planting material. After the foliage on crocuses turns yellow, they are left alone until the end of the season.


Crocuses are wonderful plants that are among the first, after long dull months filled with snow and cold, to fill the garden with bright colors and give a charge. positive emotions. The very personification of spring, they look spectacular on the alpine hills, giving them a unique charm. It will be impossible to take your eyes off the magnificent living carpet if you plant them in a dense canvas on a flower bed or lawn. And their cultivation in pots at home will allow you to admire the magnificent flowering in winter.

In addition to their high decorative qualities, crocuses are surprisingly unpretentious; even an amateur with no experience in gardening can handle their planting and reproduction. They need minimal care in the form of fertilizing, loosening the soil and weeding. Plant crocuses in your garden and you won't regret your decision for a minute!