When should autumn crocus be planted?
The goblet-shaped flower of Colchicum speciosum (R) has six stamens (L). Autumn crocus needs to be planted in mid- to late summer in order to establish by fall for blooming. The large, bulb-like corm of Colchicum speciosum (L). Bulbs often will produce flowers without even being planted. Plant the corms September–November for an early spring display. You can plant autumn-flowering crocuses and colchicums in late summer for autumn and early winter colour.Autumn crocus can propagate by division or sowing seed. Your autumn crocus will naturally propagate by forming small corms on the main corm. You can take advantage of this by digging up the plant and removing the baby corms when the plant is dormant in the summer.Crocus and other hardy forced bulbs can be moved to the garden for future enjoyment. Remove faded flowers leaving the leaves intact. Move the plant to a warm sunny window. Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again.Short in stature, autumn crocuses are best placed near the edge of a border, in a rock garden, or in groups in grass. While the flowers appear in autumn, the leaves often follow on in winter or early spring.
Where can I find autumn crocus?
Native to southern Europe, Autumn Crocus can be found in meadows and damp woodland clearings on calcareous and neutral soils. Autumn crocus prefers a rich, well-drained loam in a sunny position with a PH in the range of 4. It will tolerate partial shade and summer drought, but not dry soils. The autumn crocus grows well in temperatures between 41 to 90 ℉ (5 to 32 ℃). It is a temperate woody plant that thrives in cooler climates. To ensure proper growth, adjustment of temperature during different seasons is not necessary.Hardiness Zone: Crocuses are winter hardy in zones 3-8. Like many other spring-blooming bulbs, they need a cold winter in order to bloom properly. This means at least 10 weeks of temperatures at or below 45°F.Crocuses are very suitable for planting in pots so that they can also bloom in your home. However, it is important that you first place the freshly planted crocuses in a very cool place or plant them in the garden first to bring them indoors after the winter.Crocuses do best in a spot that gets full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight), but will grow in partial sun as well. Choose a planting site where there is well-draining soil; the corms will rot in soggy, compacted ground. Before planting, work in organic matter such as compost to a depth of at least 10 inches.Planting: Plant fall flowering crocus bulbs (corms) in late summer or early fall. After a late summer or early fall planting, fall flowering crocus should bloom in about 4 to 6 weeks depending on your climate. Planting In Containers: Small-flowered fall crocus can also be planted in containers.
Is saffron crocus the same as autumn crocus?
Is autumn crocus the same as saffron? No. Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) is toxic, while saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) is safe and produces edible saffron threads. Autumn crocus can be extremely toxic to dogs and cats and pet parents should be on high alert for this plant. Problems from ingestion may consist of vomiting and diarrhea, weakness, a decrease in production of the cells responsible for immunity, carrying oxygen and blood clotting, multi-organ failure and even death.Every part of an autumn crocus plant is highly toxic. While poisoning from contact alone is unlikely, we suggest wearing gloves when handling the plant and keeping it well away from your mouth. Autumn crocuses pose a particular danger to children, as they may be drawn in by the plants.Fertilizer. The autumn crocus grows fine without additional fertilizer. If your soil is poor, you can add some bone meal to the soil mix at planting time.Colchicum autumnale, commonly known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron, naked boys or naked ladies, is a toxic autumn-blooming flowering plant that resembles the true crocuses, but is a member of the plant family Colchicaceae, unlike the true crocuses, which belong to the family Iridaceae.
Do autumn crocuses spread quickly?
As a naturalising plant, crocuses can easily spread by themselves. It is also possible to divide and spread them yourself as well if desired, by digging up and moving the bulbs. Do crocus like sun or shade? Crocuses do well when they are planted in full sun or partial shade. Do Crocuses Bloom More Than Once? A single crocus bulb will produce flowers for one season and then go dormant. If planted in a suitable climate, the bulb stores energy and will bloom again the following year, often producing even more flowers as the bulb multiplies.Crocus bulbs are autumn planted, so you should aim to plant them from early September to November. Do crocus bulbs come back every year? Crocuses are perennial, which means they will bloom again every spring. They are also great at naturalising, so there’s a good chance they will multiply every year.Crocuses are often one of the first late winter or early spring bloomers. They should be planted in the early fall. Crocuses usually emerge two to five weeks after the temperature rises in late winter or early spring (January through March), mainly dependent on the temperature shift.
Are autumn crocuses poisonous to touch?
Autumn crocus is a plant. The seed, bulb, leaves, and flower are used to make medicine. But all parts of the plant are considered toxic. There are several reasons why your crocus hasn’t started to flower. It could be the wrong planting depth, soil that doesn’t drain well, or weather conditions.
Can you grow autumn crocus in pots?
Autumn crocus can be planted in pots but they have less chance of coming back the following year than those growing in the ground. For best results, grow autumn crocus in large pots that enable them to be planted at the ideal depth of 8-10cm. The perfect opportunity to transplant autumn crocus is from early to mid spring, or from late fall to the cusp of winter. Relocating this perennial during these periods offers autumn crocus the best chance to develop strong roots and bloom beautifully.Autumn crocus bulbs prefer gritty, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Unpack on arrival and plant between early August and the end of October at a depth of 8-10 cm allowing 75-100 per square meter. Colchicum: Plant colchicum bulbs in deep, well drained, moist, fertile soil.