Colchicum

The colchicum plant (Colchicum) is a herbaceous perennial from the Colchicum family. It is also called Colchicum - after the Latin name that comes from Colchis - the Black Sea region, where several types of flower are found at once. The plant is also known as autumnal (or autumnal color) - according to the flowering times of some varieties. Sometimes this flower is mistakenly called a wintering house, but this is a representative of a different genus.

The genus includes about 70 species. Its representatives live in Eurasia and northern regions of Africa, preferring damp meadows. A temperate climate is optimal for growing crocus.

Description of crocus

Colchicum is a perennial ephemeroid. The plant forms many short stems on which large, elongated leaves are located. The period of their development falls on the spring, and by the summer the plates are already dying off. The unusual development cycle of the plant, due to which the periods of its activity fall on the off-season, is associated with the dry summer in the homeland of the flower.

The root system of the crocus is a corm covered with a brownish sheath. From it, during the flowering period, single flowers with a bell-shaped perianth, including 6 "petals", appear. They are a bit like crocuses in shape. Flowering can occur in spring or autumn and lasts about a month on average. The fruits of the plants are spherical capsules. The name "crocus" denotes an interesting feature of the flower - the seeds of the species that bloom in late autumn overwinter under the snow. In spring-flowering species, the seeds ripen after flowering, in autumn-flowering species, the ovary appears from the tube in spring along with the foliage, while such seeds ripen at the same time.

It is important to remember that the crocus is considered a very poisonous flower - hazardous substances are contained in all parts of the bush, therefore, the plant must be handled with care. For example, if damaged, the bulb releases an alkaloid that can burn hands. Even the water in which the crocus flowers were placed becomes poisonous. But the high decorativeness of flowers, capable of pleasing the eye even in very harsh weather, makes one put up with this feature.

Brief rules for growing crocus

The table shows brief rules for growing crocus in the open field.

Landing	Autumn-flowering croplands are planted in the second half of August.
Lighting level	Lighted or semi-shaded corners are best suited for the plant.
Watering mode	It is necessary to water the plantings only during drought during the flowering period.
The soil	Plants require a drained soil - flowers react sharply for an excess of moisture in the soil. The soil can be both alkaline and acidic, and light clay is also suitable.
Top dressing	About 2-3 times during the summer, crock-crops can be fed.Use complex formulations containing nitrogen.
Bloom	Column usually begins blooming in early autumn. There are species that bloom in early spring.
Pruning	The stuck flowers or leaves of the crocus are cut off only after they have dried.
Reproduction	Daughter bulbs, seeds.
Pests	Slugs, snails.
Diseases	Fungal diseases, especially gray mold.

Cultivation of crocus from seeds

Daughter bulbs or seeds can be used to grow the crocus. The seed method takes more time - the bush obtained in this way will begin to bloom only after 6-7 years, when its bulb is sufficiently developed. But some plant species (spring flowering and not forming baby bulbs) can only be propagated with seeds.

Colchicum seeds should be sown immediately after they are fully ripe - around the beginning of summer. Before sowing, it is necessary to hold them a little in water; fresh seeds do not need any other additional processing. If the seed must be stored until the next season, before sowing, they are stratified for six months, keeping in the refrigerator, and then washed several times with water to improve germination.

Sowing is carried out in open ground, deepening the seeds not too much. The seedling bed must have a good drainage layer. The seeds are placed in small holes, at the bottom of which a little sand is laid.

Seedlings will not appear soon - only next fall or even later. The sprouts will not require special care. If necessary, they are thinned out, during periods of drought, they are watered. Watering ends as soon as the foliage begins to dry out. Periodically, the bed is cleaned of emerging weeds. Small crocus should be sheltered for the winter.

Planting a crocus in open ground

Place and time for boarding

Lighted or semi-shaded corners are best suited for croplands. A too shaded area under the dense crown of trees often leads to the appearance of slugs. Plants require a drained soil - flowers react sharply for an excess of moisture in the soil. The soil can be both alkaline and acidic, and light clay is also suitable. Colchicum is recommended to be supplemented with plants that can hide their withering foliage from sight. Peonies and conifers are considered good companions for them. The main thing is that the low crocus bushes are located on the south side of the larger neighbors.

Autumn-flowering colchicum plants are planted in the second half of August. If the planting material is large enough, flowers may appear already in the year of planting.

Sometimes corms are grown in pots or vessels. Such plants do not require watering - they can bloom in dry soil. But after flowering, the bulbs should be moved to open ground. You should not hesitate with planting already flowering cropping flowers purchased in the store.

Landing rules

When planting a crocus between the bushes, a distance of up to 20 cm should be maintained, depending on the size of the bulbs. Small onions are buried by about 8 cm, large ones - no more than 20 cm. When planting, it is important to try to make the tubes of scales located at the top of the onions slightly visible from the ground. This arrangement will greatly simplify the appearance of the buds - they do not have to break through the ground.

Before planting the crocus, add 1 liter of wood ash and 1 tbsp. spoon of superphosphate per 1 sq. m beds. During digging into the ground, you should also add about half a bucket of sand and a bucket of humus.

Large crocus bulbs bloom about 1.5 months after planting.

Harlequin care

Watering

Colchicum do not require special care measures. It is necessary to water the plantings only during drought during the flowering period. The rest of the time, the flowers will have enough rain - waterlogging can adversely affect the health of plants, moreover, excess moisture can delay the ripening of seeds.

Top dressing

About 2-3 times during the summer, crock-crops can be fed. For flowers, complex compositions containing nitrogen are used, introducing them into the soil (about 30 g per 1 sq. M) or preparing a non-concentrated solution from them (2 g per 1 l of water). In the fall, flower beds are mulched with compost.

Weeding and loosening is the key to the full growth of any blooming crop. For the crocus, these procedures should be mandatory and regular. It is recommended to remove the emerging weeds as soon as they appear, preferably at the initial stage.

Transfer

Croplands can grow without transplants for about 7 years, after which it is recommended to change the place of their cultivation. Transplants can be carried out 2-3 times more often - this will avoid excessive proliferation of bulbs. In this case, due to tightness, their flowers can become much smaller.

Planting and replanting the crocus bulbs should be in August. During this period, they are at rest, but they should be dug out before they completely retire - around mid-June, when the foliage turns yellow. The removed bulbs are cleaned of soil residues and old leaves are removed. Children are separated from the mother's bulb - it is they who will be seated at the end of summer, because the main bulb will soon begin to die off. The bulbs are thoroughly washed with water and kept in a solution of potassium permanganate for about half an hour to prevent the development of diseases. After processing, the planting material is dried and tidied up in a dark and dry corner, where it stays at about 24 degrees. In August, these bulbs can be planted in the nutrient soil, following the same rules as for the first planting.

Colchicum after flowering

Dying off, the aerial parts of the plant transfer all the accumulated strength back to the bulb. That is why you should not cut off the wilted flowers or leaves of the crocus in advance - they can be removed only after they dry out on their own or disappear. Otherwise, the bulb runs the risk of not receiving the necessary nutrients before the dormant period.

Plants do not need winter shelter, with the exception of white-flowered and terry forms of crocus - they can be slightly covered with fallen leaves.

Pests and diseases

Crocus plantings can be affected by slugs or snails eating their foliage. To combat pests, you can arrange an obstacle in front of the garden bed. If you sprinkle the soil in the aisles with small shells, remnants of shells or gravel, the gastropods will not be able to get close to the flowers. Water-filled plastic grooves that span the perimeter of the flower garden can also serve as a barrier.

Frequent watering or a long rainy period often leads to the appearance of fungal diseases, especially gray rot. Weak lesions can be cured by treating colchicum with a fungicide. The diseased parts of the plant are separated and burned. After such procedures, the irrigation schedule must be adjusted to avoid re-infestation.

Types and varieties of crocus with photos and names

The vast majority of crocus flowers bloom in the fall, but there are also spring-flowering species. They are less common in horticulture - most of the cultivated forms of these plants have difficulties with reproduction in the middle lane, although in Europe such flowers are grown quite often.

Spring flowering species

Colchicum yellow (Colchicum luteum)

In nature, this species lives in the mountains: for example, it can be found in the Himalayas and the Tien Shan. Flowers grow there on rocks near the edges of the glaciers. In the culture, Colchicum luteum has been used since the end of the 19th century. Its flowers appear as soon as the snow melts. They have a diameter of up to 3 cm and a bright yellow color. The height of the flower is about 15 cm. In the same period, flat foliage of a rich green color is formed. This species in horticultural culture can be propagated with the help of seeds, sometimes it gives self-seeding. Unlike many other species, the plant requires moist soil after flowering.

Colchicum hungaricum (Colchicum hungaricum)

In addition to Hungary, such a plant lives in a number of Eastern European countries, as well as in Greece. Colchicum hungaricum blooms at the very end of February - early March. The flowers are purple-pink or white and are complemented by burgundy-colored anthers. The top of the leaves, as well as their border, is covered with pubescence. Leaves appear during flowering. The main variety of this species is Velebit Star with pinkish flowers.

Colchicum ancyrense

Or three-leaf (Colchicum biebersteimi), or Bieberstein (Colchicum triphyllum). One of the earliest species, sometimes blooms at the very end of December, while its flowers can appear until April. This species lives in Ukraine and Moldova, it also occurs in Turkey and on the territory of Crimea. Each onion forms three narrow bluish-green leaf plates. Their edge is covered with cilia. The flowers are mauve, 2-4 flowers can bloom on one bush.

Colchicum regelii

Or Kesselring (Colchicum crociflorum, Colchicum kesselringii). The species lives in the mountains at an altitude of 2 thousand meters. It has an elongated bulb, forming from 2 to 7 leaf-grooved plates with a blunt apex. The edge of the leaf can be smooth or have small teeth. The bush forms up to 4 flowers. Their lobes are white in color, and on the seamy side are supplemented with purple stripes. Flowers appear immediately after the snow melts.

Other common species that bloom in spring include:

• Water-loving - Turkish crocus with light pink flowers. Has up to 4 lanceolate leaves that appear with buds.
• Knotty - the species lives on mountain slopes. The foliage reaches 7 cm in length, the flowers appear in large bunches and are white or light pink in color. Flowering occurs in early spring.
• Sovicha (or Shovitsa) - occurs in alpine meadows, most often appearing near the streams, formed from melting snow. Forms large flowers of pale pink color, appearing in the first half of April. Flowering lasts no more than 10 days.

Autumn flowering species

Autumn colchicum (Colchicum autumnale)

This species lives in forest or meadow areas in Europe. Colchicum autumnale can sometimes be found in the highlands. Plants form bushes up to 40 cm tall. In spring, flat foliage of an elongated shape appears from the bulbs. Leaves dry up by summer. The flowers of this crocus are delicate lilac or white in color and reach up to 7 cm in diameter. No more than 4 flowers can be formed from one onion. Among the famous garden forms:

• White - a rare natural subspecies. Flowering begins in mid-September, each plant forms about 5-7 flowers up to 15 cm long. They have a yellow center and white perianths.
• Terry - The flowers that appear at the end of October are lilac and up to 12 cm long. Each flower is about 5 cm across. The number of petals reaches 35. The foliage is colored dark green, its length is about 25 cm, width is no more than 4 cm.
• White terry - the bloom of the form begins in the second half of September. Terry flowers have approximately 45 petals.
• Neddiste - Czech crocus with flowers of pale pink color.

In addition to those listed, the species has forms with flowers painted in shades of purple.

Colchicum magnificent (Colchicum speciosum)

In nature, this kind can be seen in Turkey and in the north of Iran, as well as in the Transcaucasian regions. Colchicum speciosum forms bushes up to half a meter in height. The foliage is bright green in color. Its length reaches 30 cm with a width of about 6 cm. The edge of the leaves is slightly wavy. By the beginning of summer, the foliage dies off. In September, large lilac or mauve flowers with a white tube appear from the bulbs.

This species has many decorative forms, differing in color and shape of flowers. Particularly popular varieties include:

• Premier - late emerging flowers are painted in a bright lilac color with a pinkish tint.
• Waterlee - forms double flowers of lilac color.
• Huxley - the color of the flowers of this variety changes from pink-lilac to bright purple.

The autumn flowering group also includes the following crockworms:

• Bornmüller - rather large flowers are pink in color, while the base of the flower is purple.Flowering occurs in early September and continues until frost. There is a subspecies of such a crocus with a white base near the tube and a larger size of flowers.
• Byzantine - large flowers have a light pink (less often white) color and retain an attractive appearance for a very long time. Flowering begins in late summer.
• Jerusalem - has pink flowers and rather narrow leaves.
• Cilician Is another species that lives in Turkey. Large flowers are lilac-pink in color, as well as a white tube. The species has a garden form with purple flowers, complemented by light veins. Flowering occurs in late autumn.
• Kochi - forms small fragile flowers of light white or pink color. Flowering is very intense, beginning at the end of August.
• Neapolitan - at the end of August, lilac-pink flowers appear from the bulbs, complemented by a white border. The petals are slightly pointed.
• Pannonian - a rare species with bright lilac flowers decorated with white stripes.
• Variegated (or Agrippa) - Asia Minor, the flowers are pinkish-purple in color with a checkerboard pattern. The tube is snow-white. Flowers appear in late summer.
• Sibtrop - bushes up to 50 cm in height have large mauve flowers with a weakly expressed checkerboard pattern. Despite the rarity of the species in nature, it is often used to obtain garden hybrids.
• Stevina - large pinkish flowers of this species appear in November, they are complemented by very narrow foliage.
• Dark purple - flowering of the species can occur in any autumn month. The flowers are small, with a gradually changing color. At first they are pale purple, and after a few days they turn dark red.
• Shady - foliage appears in early April, flowers - in early August. They are painted in a pale pink color. The species is notable for the fact that it lives in more shady corners.
• Trudy - pink-flowered species with rapidly ripening seeds.
• Fomina - The flowers of this species are purple in color and appear from late summer to late October.
• Bright - flowers are painted in a pale pink color with a delicate lilac tint. They appear from mid-September until frost.

The crocus also has a number of hybrids that are also suitable for growing in garden conditions. Among the most common:

• Violet Queen - The flowers have a pleasant aroma and a bright purple color with an openwork pattern of veins.
• Dick Trotter - purple petals are complemented by a light green star speck.
• Marshmallow - a hybrid with especially large flowers, painted in shades of lavender or lilac and having a light green spot in the form of a star.
• Laylek Wonder - has lavender flowers with a pink tint and a white center.
• Autumn Herald - on the outside, the petals are colored purple, and on the inside they have a purple tint. A light speck is located at the base.
• Princess Astrid - forms fragrant purple flowers.
• Rosie Dawn - red flowers with pronounced veins and a white heart.
• Attlee - from the outside, the flowers have an amethyst color and a greenish border, from the inside they are white with a purple border.