Autumn crocus or colchicum: planting and growing, propagation methods

Colchicum is an easy-to-grow flower, reminiscent of crocuses, only much larger. Even in ancient Russia, these cup-shaped flowers were called winter lilies or autumn lilies. It is known for its healing properties and is often used in both traditional and folk medicine.

Characteristics of the colchicum plant

Colchicum (colchicum autumnale) is a perennial meadow plant. It belongs to the order Liliaceae. It is widespread throughout Europe and in western Russia. Its name refers to its flowering period, which occurs at the end of the season—in the timeless period.

The flower has a straight stem 10-30 cm tall and a sympetalous corolla with 6-45 petals, depending on the species. It comes in a wide range of colors: cream, lilac, yellow, and pink. The root system is a corm. Four flowers grow from each corm. The most beautiful varieties are:

1. White. Rarely found in the wild, it has a yellow center with a cream border.
2. Double—flowers are small in diameter, up to 5 cm. They bloom later than other autumnal varieties, so they're not suitable for climates prone to early frosts. As the name suggests, their appearance consists of dozens of small petals, giving them a "double" appearance.
3. White double. Even more creamy petals.
4. Neddiste – soft pink, blooms in mid-September.

Reproduction of Colchicum

Any gardener or summer resident can plant and care for colchicums. Colchicums are propagated by bulbs and seeds. The easiest way is from young bulbs.

Bulbs

Planting materials can be purchased at a store or market, or prepared at home. When preparing your own, there are a few subtleties to consider:

• very carefully dig out without damaging the skin;
• wash without breaking the scales that cover the outside of the bulb;
• place water with potassium permanganate or in a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
• dry in a cool, dark place;
• prepare the soil and plant.

The optimal time to plant colchicum bulbs is around August 20th. Before planting, prepare the soil: 5 liters of humus or manure per square meter and ½ a bucket of river sand. Lightly till the soil. Fertilize at planting time: 1 liter of wood ash and 1.5 tablespoons of superphosphate per square meter.

Plant the bulbs at least 20 cm apart in 15 cm deep holes. Then water thoroughly and cover with leaves.

Seeds

When people want to plant more flowers, they use seeds. Planting autumn crocus from seeds is no easy task. First, the seeds need to be cooled beforehand, for example, in the refrigerator or in a damp cloth. Second, they need to be soaked. Third, this method is only suitable for spring-blooming flowers. The flower stalk will not appear until seven years have passed. Growing this way has one advantage: the plant will grow healthy.

In the spring, the seed pod begins to form. By summer, it fully matures and dries. Then it disintegrates, and the seeds fall chaotically to the soil surface. During this period, they are collected. Select a seed pod just beginning to darken. Cut it off and place it in a cool, well-ventilated place to dry. The planting material does not keep for long; it is used immediately.

The seeds are soaked and left for several days. They are rinsed once or twice a day. Small holes are prepared for sowing: first, the soil is watered, then 3-5 cm deep are dug. The seeds are dropped into the holes and covered with soil. Water regularly. No other special care is required. The following year, in the spring, seedlings appear. The soil beneath them should be loosened and watered. The seedlings should be thinned once.

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Colchicum is planted in the fall, but the seeds can be stored in the refrigerator until spring. This planting method produces a perfectly healthy plant of a specific variety.

Plant care

The soil should not be waterlogged. Colchicum does not require regular watering. During the planting season, there is usually no moisture shortage due to melting snow and a high groundwater level. Water only in the fall, when there is no rain. Do this carefully, being careful not to wet the corollas.

The autumn plant does not require any special conditions:

• saturated soil;
• sun or partial shade;
• replant the bulblets (about once every 5 years).

How to feed the plant

Fertilize the plants a couple of times per season. Use a low-concentration solution: 2 g of nitrophosphate per liter of water. Apply 15 liters of this mixture per square meter of soil. Regularly loosen the soil to enrich it with oxygen.

Once the flowering period is over, there's no need to cut off the buds. Only the wilted petals are removed. Spring-blooming colchicums are planted in September. Fall-blooming colchicums are planted in late summer.

Pest prevention and control

Slugs, snails, mollusks, and mold can ruin the beauty of colchicum. All these pests thrive in damp soil. Lime and calcium carbonate absorb excess moisture. Sprinkling the soil with crushed shells, small pebbles, or eggshells will repel slugs and snails. A fungicide (Bordeaux mixture, sulfur dye) will help prevent fungal diseases.

A good trap for mollusks and an obstacle for snails will be plastic bottles filled with water, cut in half lengthwise, placed around the perimeter of the flowerbed.

Therapeutic effects

Autumn crocus is more than just a garden flower. It is classified as a medicinal plant, meaning it has medicinal properties beneficial to humans.

Medicines obtained from it have the following effects:

• painkiller;
• mild laxative;
• antiemetic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• hypotensive;
• diuretic.

The effect on the body is due to colchamine, colchicine and phytosterol contained in colchicum.

Phytosterol reduces levels of harmful cholesterol, which damages the heart, liver, and the entire vascular system. Cholesterol accumulates on the walls of arteries, causing clogged arteries. Phytosterol counteracts this. It also has cancer-preventing properties. Research on this plant is ongoing, and its full effects on humans have not yet been fully elucidated.

There's a scientific consensus that this substance isn't beneficial for everyone. Therefore, only physicians (cardiologists, oncologists, and general practitioners) have the right to prescribe it.

Colchicine is used to treat gout (a deposition of uric acid salts in tissues, accompanied by pain and itching in the big toes), Behçet's syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis, multiple sclerosis, and Mediterranean fever.

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Colchicum is poisonous. A damaged bulb can cause skin burns on the hands. Ingestion can lead to poisoning, which can be fatal. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, and a sharp drop in blood pressure. The medicinal properties are derived from the extractive substances of this plant, which are obtained industrially. This means that very little is needed to achieve a healing effect, and making a simple decoction or infusion from colchicum will result in poison. Therefore, the beneficial properties of colchicum are provided for informational purposes only.