Caring for Crocus: Essential Tips for Successful Care and Growth
Common crocus, the most widely grown type, blooms later than wild varieties. These iris relatives sprout from corms and are a sign of spring’s arrival. They’re less attractive to squirrels and great for indoor forcing.
Watering: Crocuses need about 1 inch of water per week during their growth periods in fall and spring. Check soil moisture under the mulch if rainfall is insufficient. Minimal watering is required during flowering and summer dormancy.
Fertilizing: Crocuses in rich soil need no regular fertilization. In mediocre soil, feed them twice a year — early fall and early spring — with a tablespoon of slow-acting granular fertilizer or bulb fertilizer for each plant.
Mulching: Apply a 1–2 inch layer of organic mulch like leaves or wood chips to control weeds, conserve moisture, and protect bulbs during winter. Remove fallen leaves to prevent matting.
Pruning or Grooming: After blooming, allow crocus foliage to turn yellow and collapse naturally. Do not trim while green. Mow around them if in turf. Clean up or mow once they’ve aged.
Propagating: Crocuses produce cormlets each year. After 3–4 years, if flowers and plants weaken due to overcrowding, dig up clumps, separate cormlets from parents, discard old parents, and plant cormlets for new flowers in 1–2 years.
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