Most bulbs that are planted in the fall are the spring-blooming kind such as daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. Two exceptions to this rule are Colchicum and Crocus sativas. Like their spring blooming relatives, Colchicum and Crocus sativas are hardy bulbs, meaning they will typically survive our winters and continue to grow and multiple for many seasons to come. Planting fall blooming bulbs is relatively easy. Whether you choose Colchicum, Crocus or both, the success of these plantings is rooted in the quality of the soil they are planted in.
Start out by picking a site that receives full sun and add 2" to 3" of Sheep, Peat and Compost. Work this amendment into your existing soil about 5" to 6"deep. Next, dig a hole two to three times as deep as the bulb is high. That means for Colchicum the bulb will be planted 6" to 7" deep and for Crocus 4" to 5" deep.
Add some Bone Meal to the bottom of the planting hole and cover it slightly. You want the bulb to root into the bone meal.
Place each bulb flat side down and about one bulb width apart. Fill the hole with soil and then water thoroughly. Label the spot so you'll remember what was planted and where. Once in the ground, these bulbs will bloom typically within 6 to 7 weeks. As the blooms fade, remove the spent flowers. Come spring, each bulb will send up a set of leaves. This is how the bulb reenergizes so it can bloom again, in the fall.
Colchicum will also blossom on your window sill. Simply place them in a glass container and they will soon bloom. Forcing bulbs to bloom indoors takes a lot out of them. You can plant the bulb outdoors once they've stopped blooming but it may take several seasons for these bulbs to bloom again.
Crocus sativas is best known for producing the spice saffron from the filaments that grow inside the flower. You may harvest and dry the stigma. It will take about 150 flowers to make one gram of dried saffron. Planting Colchicum and Crocus sativas is a great way to add color to your late fall garden.
No comments:
Post a Comment