Note: There are many varieties of crocus. Make sure you have the correct variety, Crocus Sativa, before you try using the stigmas for cooking. Some varieties of crocus are poisonous.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Hardiness Zone: 5a
Thanks for all help. :)
Leslie from Barrie, Ontario
A: Leslie,
You can plant your crocus bulbs in the spring or wait until fall and plant them as though they were new bulbs. The longer you keep the plants green this spring, the stronger the bulbs will be going into next year.
After they bloom, cut the flower stems back. When the leaves turn yellow and start to die back, reduce watering. Once the leaves die back altogether, discontinue watering and let the soil dry out. Remove the bulbs from the pot and trim off the dead foliage.
Store the bulbs in a cool, dry place until fall. Mesh or paper bags work best to prevent bulbs from getting moldy. In the fall, plant the bulbs 3-4 inches deep in full sun. They may be a bit undersized or flower poorly the first year, but they should come back fine the second year.
Years ago on a radio plant show, I heard the advice that if it blooms in the spring, plant it in the fall. If it blooms in the fall, plant it in the spring. Either way, your crocus will bloom.
Leslie, I didn't answer all questions you asked. Yes, you can take them out of the pot and plant them right in the ground. No special needs. Even if you plant the bulbs upside down, they'll still grow towards the top. If I couldn't tell which way was the top, I planted them sideways. They still grew!
I always plant my forced spring bulbs or East flowers in the spring rather than waiting until fall. It doesnt seem to hurt them... and I dont risk forgetting about them or having to store them.. It just seems easier for me...
My crocus bulbs are only shooting up leaves. Does this mean the bulb is old and needs to be replanted with new bulbs?
Hardiness Zone: 5a
Patti from Ontario Canada
Sometimes they do that if planted too deep.
You may have to divide the bulbs if there are too many.
Check out these photos.
I mentioned earlier I had gotten several bags of crocus corms for about a fourth the original price. Not a bad deal, especially considering each bulb is already making three or four more clones of itself.
The first crocus are blooming! I'm so excited to see these delicate beauties popping up in the yard. My husband picked one, and I got to use my little window vase.
This is my Valentine collection of red tulips and white crocus. We just had a rain and then the sun came out. I love taking pictures with raindrops on the plants!
No matter what type of winter we have, I always feel hopeful that spring is near when I see the beautiful crocus burst forth into bloom.
I drove by this house in my neighborhood this week and I just had to stop and take a picture. It looked like a sea of purple crocus. I guess Spring is finally here!
I love seeing the early Spring flowers pop up as winter fades away. Here are some crocus and hyacinth photos I took recently that I thought you might like. Enjoy!
The first crocus are blooming! I'm so excited to see these delicate beauties popping up in the yard. My husband picked one, and I got to use my little window vase.
