Crocuses: planting and care of primroses

After long winter months it is very pleasant to admire the primrose. Only the snow came down, the sun still hardly warms, and the joy of the gardeners is already brought by the first spring clearings, among which crocuses are actively blooming. Planting and caring for these flowers bring a pleasure, because they are - and garden decoration, and medicine, and dye, and spice (saffron). That's how it is diverse - crocus.

These flowers are bulbous perennial plants belonging to the family of Iris. Their height does not exceed 25 cm. Mostly, the early spring makes white, lilac, yellow or blue buds wake up and bloom. But some species still prefer to blossom in the fall. Close to 100 kinds of these flowers exist in nature.

These plants bloom early. The flowering period usually lasts about a week, and then, closer to the middle of summer, the leaves wilt, and the plant begins a rest period. The vegetation period is rather short. But this time allows them to live their lives. So crocuses are arranged. Planting and caring for them later have some features, but still there is nothing complicated in this.

For successful cultivation of crocuses it is necessary to select strong and healthy bulbs. Place for planting is better to choose sunny. You can plant flowers in the penumbra, but then they will be small. Crocuses do not tolerate the slightest stagnation of water, which must be taken into account when choosing their location. Preference is given to loose, light and fertile land. Before planting it is desirable to fertilize the soil with compost or manure, and then dig up. Blooming in spring crocuses are planted in autumn, and autumn-oak-growing species - at the end of summer. Large bulbs are planted in grooves up to 10 cm, and small - 4-5 cm between them should be a distance of at least 3 cm.

Crocuses (planting and caring for which must be correct) require attention to themselves after germination. When green shoots appear, the soil must be loosened and watered regularly. During the flowering period, moisture is very necessary for flowers. And also it is necessary to fertilize crocuses for quality and longer flowering. The first time it is done before the beginning of growth, the second - with the formation of buds, the third - as a flower. Use for fertilizing phosphoric and potash fertilizers. Phosphorus is needed for flowering, and potassium - for the formation and development of healthy bulbs. It is undesirable to grow crocuses in one place for more than 4 years.

If the crocus care gets decent, then there will not be problems with reproduction. The maternal bulb dies after flowering, and in its place "children" are formed - they blossom through the season. You can propagate crocuses and seeds, but then flowering will have to wait about 3 years.

Crocuses are quite hardy plants, they can withstand up to -18 degrees. But it is recommended to cover them for the winter with dry grass, foliage or lapnik.

Crocuses are also resistant to pests and diseases. To protect them from rot, it is necessary to avoid excess moisture in the soil.

Poor lighting and poor soil do not scare crocuses. Planting and caring for them, however, require full-fledged. Their feature is that they are wonderfully suitable for forcing at home. In a favorable environment, you can get beautiful flowers already in the New Year or on the 8th of March.