Growing and care of Crocus flower bulbs
The genus crocus is well known for its exquisitely beautiful flowers that are used in specialized gardening. Its cultivated species Crocus sativus is of prime economic importance since times immemorial. Saffron is known to society for its medicinal & aromatic value. Saffron is produced from dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. member of large family Iridaceae. The sterile C.sativus is considered to be originated from the fertile C. cartwrightianus.It is extensively cultivated in Spain, India, the Mediterranean, Russia and China. It originated in Mid and southern Europe, N. Africa, Middle East and Central Asia.
There are some 80 species of small cormous perennial herbs from which have come many wild & garden varieties including the so called Dutch crocuses. Leaves of crocus are long, linear with silver white central stripe. They emerge from bracts or cataphylls either at flowering time or once the flowers have withered. Flowers are tubed, flaring to funnel shaped. Self coloured or striped, solitary flowers are sometimes surprisingly fragrant. Crocus spp. are available in a range of deep intense & glossy colours, often with colour contrast between inner & outer surface of petals or flowers variously feathered with light & dark shades.
Use of Crocus flowers
Historical records detailing the use of saffron date to ancient Egypt and Rome, where it was used as a dye in perfume and as a spice and colorant for culinary purpose. From ancient times saffron has been also used as a drug to treat various human health conditions. Medicinally, saffron is used as a part of traditional healing; and in modern medicine it has been discovered that it can also be used as anticarcinogenic (cancer-suppressing), anti-mutagenic (mutation-preventing), immunomodulating, and antioxidant-like properties.The principal colouring agent of saffron is the glycoside crocin; the bitter substance is the glucoside picrocrocin.
C. vernus or Dutch crocus gives a great effect in the garden, indoor decoration or in pots.
Climate and soil for Crocus flowers
Crocus prefers cool winters with some rain in autumn, winter and spring. They require warm summers with very little rainfall. They are very cold hardy plants. The optimum summer temperature ranges between 20-30 o c with winter temperature 2-7 o c. An excellent flower quality can be obtained between temperature range from 13 o c to 19 o c and at 60-65% Relative Humidity. Heavy snowfall can damage the plants & flowers. Similarly hot and humid climate favours rot & decay of corms.
Crocus spp. are in active growth from autumn to late spring and several species survive summer drought below ground by means of a compact corm. They begin their growth at the onset of autumn rain and initiate flowering. The leaves may emerge at the same time or after the flower senesce depending on the species.
Crocus prefers deep well drained, light clay fertile soil for easy root development. The optimum pH range of soil is 6.0-7.0. Soil having low Phosphates and Nitrogen with optimum potassium level is most suitable for crocus cultivation. Soil having poor drainage may lead to corm decay. Never use fresh manure in the soil.