Wild Saffron Characteristics | Gardening On

View of wild crocus

Image – Wikimedia / Enrico Blasutto

The wild saffron It is a flower known to many, since it is grown in much of the world in gardens and pots, to beautify patios, gardens and of course balconies. It is native to the European continent, where it lives in high altitude areas.

The beauty of its flowers make it an exceptional plant to have in the home. Thanks to its small dimensions it is very interesting to have it even as part of a composition.

Characteristics of wild saffron

View of wild crocus in the field

This wonderful bulbous plant is known by the scientific name of Colchicum autumnal. It belongs to the Colchicaceae family. Its origin is in the European prairies, being found at high altitude. The bulb is actually a corm that is 10 to 30 centimeters tall.

It is planted in autumnto be able to contemplate its flowers in spring. Its leaves are lanceolate and dark green. The lilac-colored flowers are quite large compared to the rest of the plant: they can measure about 4cm in diameter. The fruit is composed of up to 3 capsules.

How do you care for wild saffron?

We are facing a plant that it is very easy to care. It can be both in a pot and in the garden, in full sun or in semi-shade. However, we can get ‘little bulbs’ to sprout from a single bulb and, therefore, have more flowers in the next season if we do the following:

Location

Although it can be almost anywhere, Ideally, it should receive as much light as possible. Keep in mind that the sun in autumn is not very strong (unless you live in an area very close to the equator), so it is preferable that you place your saffron in a place where it has direct sun, less for half a day.

Substratum

The roots have to be able to find all the nutrients they need to be able to develop correctly, but without having to suffer risks. With this in mind, we will plant it in a porous substrate that retains moisture for just the right amount of timesuch as 70% black peat + 20% perlite + 10% volcanic clay (putting a first layer, before filling the pot).

Irrigation

Wild saffron is a plant with corm

Image – Flickr / manuel mv

Water is extremely important for all plants, but it is undoubtedly the most difficult to ‘control’. It is not easy at all to know when to do it, but here are some tricks:

  • If you have it in a pot, take it when you water it, and do it again after a few days. So you will know how much it weighs at certain times, and this it will help you know when to water.
  • Check the humidity of the substrate inserting a thin wooden stick or finger. If when you extract it you see that it has come out almost clean, it will mean that you have to water; On the contrary, if it comes out with adhering soil, it will be necessary to wait a few days for the next irrigation.

It is much better to fall short than to go too far, since if a plant suffers from overwatering it has a high risk of contracting a disease caused by fungi, and it is very difficult to get it back (not impossible).

Fertilizer

We cannot forget about the compost. Even if you use a new substrate, the saffron will grow better if it is fertilized from time to time. Among all the chemical and organic fertilizers that currently exist, I recommend the guano (liquid). Until the appearance of chemical fertilizers, guano was what was most used to make plants grow healthy and strong. It is natural and ecological, but you must follow the instructions specified on the packaging to avoid overdoing the dose.

Prevention of pests and diseases

Although it is a plant that, unfortunately, can only be enjoyed a few months a year, it can also be affected by pests and diseases. It is important to know how to prevent them, since it will depend on whether this and the coming seasons will sprout new flowers.

Pests

The pests that most often affect them are snails and Mitesbut if they are planted in the garden they can also be attacked by mice y topos. To prevent them, it is convenient to use repellants sold in nurseries or agricultural stores, except for mites, which will be eliminated by making infusions with garlic (10 grams in 1 liter of water).

Diseases

As we have said, fungal diseases are the ones that can most harm crocuses. A humid environment favors the appearance of fungi, such as those of the genus Fusarium. Prevention is the most successful solution, so, in addition to controlling risks, we will do preventive treatments with sulfur or copper from the first moment in which we have planted the bulb.

Planting tips

The wild crocus flower is lilac

Crocus is one of the first flowers to sprout during spring and it is even likely to do so in late winter if the weather is good. To start the season on the right foot, we have to plant the bulb in the following way: whether it is grown in a pot or in the ground, it must be planted at a depth that is twice its height. For example, if it measures 3cm, we will plant it at about 5-6cm, and always with the narrowest part facing upwards since the leaves and also the flowers will sprout from there.

Uses and properties

Wild saffron is a herbaceous plant that is used as an ornamental plant. It is not very big, so it is interesting to grow in pots without problems. But you have to bear in mind that it contains colchicine, which is a very toxic substance if ingested.

Saffron is one of the most spectacular and easy-to-care bulbous flowers. What are you waiting for to have yours?

Wild Saffron Characteristics | Gardening On

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