Frequently asked questions
Why have all the crocuses disappeared from my garden?
YOUR crocuses have probably disappeared because of squirrels. Although squirrels have a particular fondness for digging up and eating newly planted crocus corms – I think they’ve learned that newly planted corms are found under disturbed soil – they also dig up established corms. Some individual squirrels seem to develop a taste for crocuses.
When an individual squirrel dies the damage can be reduced but, usually, once you have squirrels in the garden you should expect damage.
The answer is to plant only in clumps, not scattered, and to cover the newly planted corms with a piece of wire netting, laid horizontally. Use the fine-mesh type, 1/2in (13mm) or 1in (25mm), as squirrels can reach through the 2in (5cm) mesh. Plant the corms, half refill the hole, lay the mesh in place, then finish refilling.
Does saffron come from a crocus and can I grow it?
YES, saffron comes from the flower of an autumn-flowering crocus, Crocus sativus. In particular, the bright-red male parts of the flowers (the styles and stigmas, known as threads) are collected by hand. This explains why saffron is expensive.
The lilac flowers with their purple veins open in autumn, before the leaves, and the threads must be picked and dried promptly as the flowers wilt after a day. The corms appreciate wet springs and dry summers, and are best planted in well-drained soil in full sun. Saffron can also be grown in pots in a cold greenhouse. Saffron produces no seeds, but the corms multiply when growing well.
The flowers on my crocuses are developing streaks in a different colour. Is this natural?
STREAKING in crocus flowers, as well as twisted petals and the failure of the flowers to open properly, can be the result of virus infection that also causes blotching on young leaves.
There is no treatment, but it pays to dig up infected plants and burn them. Virus diseases in crocuses are spread by aphids (greenfly, blackfly) which are often hidden on the undersides of the leaves. Controlling aphids will be a big help in preventing virus infection.