The Crocus, a genus that gathers almost 80 species and that belongs to the Iridaceae family, symbolizes youthful gladness, attachment and cheerfulness.
Native from Europe and Asia, Crocus is perfect for cultivating it in pots. The flowers have the shape of a cup with sharp or rounded petals and colors like red, white, bicoloured or with dots and striations. Depending on the species, they can either bloom in spring or in fall. Crocus can be considered Easter flowers, because they bloom in spring, so we can have them in our gardens or pots by that time.
The cultivation process when talking about pots has strict rules regarding the pot combination. This should be a mixture between fertile soil, rotted leaves and sand and the bulbs have to be planted at a depth of 8 centimeters. The perfect period in which they should be planted is the beginning of fall or the beginning of august, depending on the blooming period. Regarding the propagation process, in the case of Crocus, the only way of doing it is by transplanting the small bulbs growing at the base of the main bulbs.
The fact that the flower begins to bloom at the beginning of spring is perfectly explained by the waxy cuticle that protects the flower from frost. Other species related to Crocus are: Crocus chrysanthus, an ideal pot flower, Crocus flavus, Crocus sieberi, Crocus speciosus and Crocus tommasinianus. So if you want to have beautiful Easter flowers in your home, choose one or more of these types and create unique combinations.
Autum Crocus, a species belonging to the Crocus genus, can become very dangerous if eaten. It contains a chemical known as colchicines that becomes even more dangerous if the leaves are previously boiled.
Some of the symptoms that suggest a case of poisoning with Autum Crocus are: nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, respiratory failure, temporary hair loss and hemoglobinuria. The treatment should be prescribed and taken under the close supervision of a professional.
Crocus is, as any other plant, sensitive to diseases or pests that can either harm or kill the plant. Some of these diseases and pests are: algae or slime, alphids, black sooty mould, fungal leaf spot, grey mould, rust, powdery mildew, cushion scale, caterpillars, coral spot, vine weevils and whitefly.
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