Crocus, like snowdrops, is a harbinger of spring, delighting gardeners with its blooms after the snow melts. There are also other varieties that bloom in midsummer. Planting crocuses in the fall helps ensure a rewarding spring bloom. Over the winter, the bulb accumulates nutrients and absorbs moisture. Summer-blooming varieties are best planted in the spring, as these varieties are not known for their frost resistance.
Crocus varieties for planting in autumn
Crocus, also known as "spring saffron," is used to decorate garden beds in early spring. It's often used to create greenery. This bulbous plant requires little care. Crocuses are planted outdoors in the fall, and that's all the care they require until spring—the gardener simply waits for seedlings to emerge and flower stalks to appear.
Not all varieties can bloom in early spring. Early-blooming varieties include:
- Spring crocus. Like other varieties, it is a herbaceous plant with a stem approximately 15 cm long. The flower is funnel-shaped, purple or white, and has a yellow anther. The mature bulb renews itself annually, producing no more than three flower stalks during the growing season. Varieties of this species include Nigro Boy, Pickwick, Remembrance, and Stoustor.
- Goldenflower. The plant grows to about 20 cm in length, with yellow flowers appearing before the narrow, bright green leaves. The bulb is flattened and spherical. This species includes the following cultivars: Blue Pearl, Lady Killer, Snowbunting, and Blue Bonnet.
- Crocus heuffelii. These plants are distinguished by the following varietal characteristics: a round bulb, linear leaves with recurved edges, and purple or white petals. These varieties are prized for their long flowering period (more than 25 days). This group includes: Oxonion, Bagila, Albus, and Artabir.
- Tomasini. Varietal characteristics: a low plant up to 8 cm tall, narrow leaves, and a large flower in purple, white, or lilac. This is a commercial cultivar and is of no value to collectors. It is often used for landscaping city parks and flowerbeds. Varieties: Lilac Beauty, Rossi, and Purple Giant.
Unlike late-blooming varieties, these crocuses can be planted in the fall. Although the plant isn't particularly demanding, good conditions and proper planting are essential for successful flowering.
Preparing the soil for planting crocuses in autumn
Sunlight is the key to thriving growth and lush flowering. Avoid planting bulbs in the shade of trees or shrubs; instead, give them the sunniest spot on the plot. The bulb's body is sensitive to moisture, so overwatering is harmful. The plant responds well to fertilizing and grows in light soil.
You can eliminate excess water stagnation by providing drainage. This can be done using coarse sand, crushed stone, or expanded clay, laying this substrate at a planting depth of up to 25 cm. You can ensure air exchange by digging the soil with river sand and any mineral component, such as manure, humus, or compost. Bulbous plants will quickly die in an acidic environment, so neutralize the acid with a mixture of lime and peat. Experienced gardeners know how to plant crocuses in the fall to preserve the tuber and ensure beautiful blooms.
Preparing and storing tubers before planting in autumn
Crocuses are recommended to be repotted once every 3-4 years. This is necessary to remove the young shoots from the overgrown bulb, prune out any diseased or damaged areas, and thoroughly cultivate the underground portion.
Early-blooming plants complete their growing season in July. This is indicated by the death of the above-ground portion of the plant and its entry into dormancy. This is also reflected in the rapid drying of the green portions of the plant. Inexperienced gardeners may think the crocus is dead, but the flower is simply entering dormancy early.
After the vegetative cycle is complete, the bulb is dug out of the ground in dry weather. All roots are removed, air-dried, and sorted, removing any damaged bulbs. The bulblets can be set aside for further growth and planted in pots in the spring.
Store the prepared material in a dry place at room temperature. It's best to arrange the bulbs in layers in a wooden box, interspersing each layer with sawdust or wrapping them in soft toilet paper.
Planting crocuses in the ground in autumn
Planting in the ground begins with choosing a suitable location. Ideally, it should be well-lit and moderately moist. Avoid planting flowers in the ground after tomatoes or potatoes—these crops draw all the nutrients from the soil.
Timing for planting crocuses
The planting time for any plant is a relative term and varies depending on the region. Small bulbs require approximately 2-3 weeks to establish. Exposure to sunlight and heat is not necessary during this period, but it's important to prevent the soil from drying out.
Planting the bulb early in the ground in the fall is dangerous for the bulb because it can sprout. If the green shoot reaches the surface, the plant is highly likely to die after the onset of frost.
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The soil is dug to a depth of 20 cm, removing excess weed roots and debris. For a 1 square meter area, the following should be added:
- 5 kg of sand;
- compost or humus 5 kg;
- ash 300 g;
- potassium salts 30 g;
- superphosphate 50 g.
If the soil is clayey, perlite is additionally added.
Preparation of planting material
A healthy bulb has the following qualities:
- dense;
- heavy;
- has dry scales;
- size – 3-8 cm in diameter.
Of course, signs of decay, mechanical damage or the presence of pest activity products indicate that the material is unsuitable for planting.
High-quality seedlings are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate or Fundazol before planting. To do this, simply soak the bulbs in the prepared solution for several hours.
Unsuitable for winter planting:
- bulbs up to 3 cm in size are babies that will not survive the frost;
- a plant with an awakened sprout.
The sprouted bulblets and corms are planted in pots in the fall and stored in a basement or cellar until spring. They can be planted outdoors in the spring, but the sprouts will not flower.
How deep should crocuses be planted?
Small bulbous plants are recommended to be planted in groups. The bulbs are arranged in longitudinal rows, maintaining a 4-5 cm gap between rows. For ease of harvesting, gardeners bury the bulbs in a special pot. The pot should have ample drainage holes. The bulbs are planted to a depth of 8-12 cm, depending on the soil type.
Planting diagram
They should be planted in a group to ensure lush flowering after the buds open. Each tuber requires approximately a 15 x 15 cm square area. It is recommended to plant the roots 5-12 cm deep, depending on the tuber size and soil quality. If the soil is loose, a depth of 8-12 cm is optimal; in firm soil, plant to a depth of up to 7 cm.
Soil insulation
No special insulation is required for overwintering crocuses after planting in the fall. The plant tolerates light frosts well, and the bulb survives even if the soil surface is icy. There is a risk of losing the plant in the following cases:
- the bulb is a baby, has a small diameter;
- the plant is affected by rot;
- the planting material is placed in excessively wet soil;
- a small bulb is planted into the soil at a minimum depth.
Mulching can help prevent plant death. It's recommended to sprinkle any available organic material onto the soil. If you're planting small bulbs, you can additionally cover them with dry branches or burlap. Avoid using plant waste as mulch, as it can often harbor bacteria and fungi.
Crocus planting specifics by region
Gardeners should keep a record of the onset of cold and thaw periods in their region. By collecting statistics over several years, they can determine the most favorable planting times.
In central Russia, the Moscow region, the Leningrad region, and Ukraine, the bulbs are planted outdoors in early October. If the weather is cool in September, planting can be done earlier. In southern Russia, crocuses are planted outdoors in late October. Early planting can cause premature germination; the crop does not require additional insulation.
In Siberia and the Urals, winters are harsher, and autumns are very short. Therefore, it's best to plant bulbs outdoors in September, before the first frost. The tuber should be planted as deep as possible and additionally covered with spruce branches or sawdust. If forecasters predict an unusually cold winter, avoid winter planting in that region.
Caring for crocuses in autumn
The plant, which blooms in spring, completes its vegetative cycle in the fall. Fertilizing ceases in May, and the bulb goes dormant on its own at the end of summer. After the green part dies back, it is dug up, cleared of any remaining soil, and dried in the sun.
The most important step in crocus care in the fall is replanting the plant outdoors. To do this, review the planting material and plant it according to the recommended schedule. Additional watering is not required. Fertilizer, a rooting agent, and perlite are added to the soil.
Caring for crocuses in the open ground in autumn
Crocuses don't need to be dug up after flowering, especially if the plant is young. The bulb can survive in open ground for about five years without losing its qualities without replanting. After the vegetative cycle is complete, the plant doesn't need to be fertilized; it prepares for winter dormancy. Watering should be supplemented if the autumn rainfall is dry. After the foliage dies back, cut it off and cover the soil with an additional layer of peat.
Caring for crocuses in winter
The plant requires no care in winter. If the soil surface is covered with material, remember to ventilate it during thaws. Excessive insulation can cause excess moisture, which crocuses do not like.
Transplanting crocus to another location in the fall
Mature crocuses are best repotted every two years, as the soil's nutrient reserves are depleted despite fertilization. Avoid planting bulbs in soil where tomatoes, cabbage, or potatoes were previously grown. Before planting, carefully inspect the soil for debris and pests. Treat the soil if necessary.
The plants are planted in dry soil and do not receive additional watering. After transplanting, the bulbs require no additional care. The procedure is the same.
How to store crocuses before planting in the fall
After digging, store the planting material in a dry, ventilated area with optimal humidity. Temperature is not important. It is not recommended to use plastic bags for storage, as this will cause the plant to rot, which will lead to rot.
Reproduction of crocuses
The flower can be propagated by bulbs and seeds. Bulb propagation is the fastest; a separated plant is capable of flowering after the tuber reaches 3-4 cm in diameter, i.e., in the second year. Propagation by seeds is a lengthy process; after collection, the seeds are dried, sorted, and stored in a well-ventilated area until planting. Sow in the spring, providing adequate light and warmth. The bulb develops slowly and blooms in the fourth year.
You may be interested in:Digging and storing autumn crocus bulbs for planting
Autumn crocuses should be dug out of the ground before the onset of frost, after the entire vegetative cycle has completed. Often, the above-ground green portions do not have time to go dormant by this time, so they are removed with scissors. All bulbs should be inspected for rot, pests, and mechanical damage.
It's best to store the collected planting material in special boxes made of chipboard or wood. The bulbs are laid in a single layer and sprinkled with sawdust. After this insulation, the next layer can be laid. The plants can be stored in a basement or cellar.
Diseases and pests of crocuses
Crocus is affected by the following pests and diseases:
- mice;
- scoops;
- wireworm;
- aphid;
- rot.
The corm is affected by fungal and bacterial diseases.
When to plant crocuses in autumn or spring
Early spring-blooming varieties are planted outdoors in the fall, before frost. Fall-blooming varieties are recommended to be planted no earlier than May. These plants are frost-intolerant and do not overwinter outdoors. Choose a well-lit location for planting, and ensure that excess moisture is removed.
In conclusion
Crocus is an easy-to-care-for plant, a harbinger of spring. Depending on the variety, its blooms come in white, purple, blue, or yellow—this variety will brighten a flowerbed in early spring, when nature is just beginning to recover from winter. Planting crocus in the fall will ensure abundant blooms in the spring, and the following tips will help ensure a comfortable winter for the bulb. Proper planting and careful care will reward the gardener with a riot of spring colors.
Do crocuses need to be dug up after flowering?