Colchicum is a delicate flowering plant from the Colchicum family. In nature, it grows in the Mediterranean, North Africa and Southeast Asia. Although colchicum flowers resemble spring crocuses, they bloom in the fall, when most of the inhabitants of the flower garden have already withered. For this reason, many gardeners happily settle this unusual plant on the site. In the people it can be found under the names "colchicum", "autumn crocus" or "autumn". The flower grows with virtually no care, however, some features of the content should still be studied.
Plant description
Colchicum is an onion perennial plant. The height of the vegetation is 5-20 cm. The ground part is updated annually, it consists of succulent grassy shoots. The oblong shapeless bulb has a creamy, almost white, core and is covered with dark brown scales. Its length is 3-5 cm. Long narrow leaves of a lanceolate form appear in early spring. They are painted a bright green color and form a thick basal rosette. The length of a smooth leaf plate is 20-30 cm. A seed box appears from its center. Red-brown seeds are formed from the ovaries of last year. They ripen by the end of May, after which the box opens and the seeds are carried by the wind.
The flowering of most species of colchicum begins in September. Even frost or unexpected snowfall will not become that barrier. One bulb per season can produce several flowers. Naked erect peduncles grow directly from the ground. The height of the plant along with the flower reaches 25 cm. More than half the height is occupied by the corolla in the shape of a glass. Large fragrant flowers consist of lanceolate or ovoid petals. Coloring of flowers can be snow-white, cream, pink, purple or violet. There are species with simple and terry corollas. Flowering lasts about 3 weeks, after which the plant dries completely.
Life cycle calendar
Colchicum adheres to very unusual life cycles. They are laid by the natural conditions of the flower’s native places. Plants that can adapt their lives to natural cycles are called "ephemeroids." Cold and arid winters, as well as sizzling summer heat, do not favor the active growth of grassy shoots.
With the spring thaw, colchicum wakes up and releases green shoots with leaves. At the same time, a fruit appears in which the seeds ripen. This period is called vegetation. The green part is involved in photosynthesis and saturates the bulb with nutrients for the next year. Already in early June, all shoots dry out and the rest period begins.
Re-awakening takes place in September. Suddenly, large flowers with a heady aroma break out from under the fallen leaves. They persist for 2-3 weeks. New growth is fully developed due to the supply of food in the bulb. Inside the bulb is an ovary, which will be securely covered throughout the winter. After flowering, colchicum falls asleep again until spring.
Colchicum species
There are more than 90 registered colchicum species. However, only some of them are used in culture. The list is complemented by decorative varieties and hybrids.
Colchicum is autumn. The height of the herbaceous shoots reaches 40 cm. The elongated oval leaves are painted in bright green color. They have a shiny leathery surface. In late August, large flowers of white or pink color begin to appear. Their diameter reaches 7 cm and a height of 10 cm. Decorative varieties:
- Roseum plemum - with pink terry flowers;
- White - produces up to 6 individual colors with snow-white petals and a yellow core;
- Terry - a flower, 12 cm high and 5 cm in diameter, consists of several rows of narrow purple petals;
- Bacons field - with pink-purple large flowers.
Colchicum is magnificent. In spring, a stem up to 50 cm long appears from the ground. It is covered with opposite large leaves. A leaf plate with wavy sides grows 30-35 cm in length. Its width is 6 cm. The leaves dry out in June, and very large lilac or pink flowers appear in September. Popular varieties:
- Huxley - young flowers are painted in pink and purple tones, but gradually become purple;
- Premier - blooms in late autumn with bright purple flowers;
- Water lily - different bright pink terry flowers.
Colchicum is cheerful. In March, 4 reed light green leaves grow from an oblong black-brown bulb. In the center of the leaf rosette is an egg-shaped seed box with three opening flaps. Its height is 2 cm. In September, 1-3 large purple or pink flowers appear from the bulb. The height of the corolla is about 4 cm.
Breeding methods
Colchicum is propagated by seeds, daughter bulbs and corm division. Seed propagation is suitable only for species colchicum, as varietal characters are not preserved. It is not possible to wait for seeds from terry species at all. Ripe seed bolls begin to darken. Even before disclosure, they are cut and dried under a canopy. It is important not to let the seeds completely blacken, otherwise they will germinate only for 2-3 years.
Landing is done in the fall. Use light fertile soil with the addition of deciduous land, peat and sand. The container with seeds is kept at a temperature of 0 ... + 12 ° C. Within a few weeks, the roots will develop, and land shoots will appear in early spring. Leaves of seedlings will form every spring, but flowers will appear only after 6-7 years. From the second year young colchicum can be planted in open ground. They are looked after as if they were mature plants.
Every year, colchicum thickets become denser due to daughter bulbs. Over time, there are so many of them that the flowers fade or disappear altogether. Therefore, at least 5-6 years, the colchicum should be transplanted, separating part of the daughter bulbs. Plantings are located at a depth of 30-35 cm. In the middle of July they are carefully dug up, they remove most of the earthen coma and the remains of old bulbs. Scales cannot be damaged. Washes washed and pickled in potassium permanganate are dried in the open air. In early August, bulbs are planted in open ground. If you tighten with planting, flowers will begin to appear right in the room.
The bulb of an excellent colchicum forms several shoots. During the summer dormancy, it can be dug up and cut into several parts. Each part must have its own escape. Delenki dipped in crushed charcoal and dried in the fresh air in the shade. After 3-5 days, the cut onion is planted in the soil to a depth of 12-18 cm.
Bulb Forcing
An experienced grower can manage colchicum life cycles and achieve flowering at the right time. Only large, ripe onions can be used for this purpose. They are dug up after a vegetation period, carefully dried and stored in the refrigerator. A month before flowering, the bulbs are planted in pots with loose nutrient soil and carefully watered. It is necessary to contain plants in a cool place (+ 10 ... + 15 ° C), in partial shade. With the advent of shoots, the pots are transferred to a warmer and well-lit room. Flowering will not take long. Moreover, some flowers will replace others.
When all the buds have withered, the bulbs are taken out to a cool balcony or dug in the garden with the container. In the spring, they wake up and blossom bright leaves. After such a distillation, the plants do not disappear, as in some other bulbs. They continue to develop at the usual pace.
Time and place of landing
The best time to plant and transplant colchicum is August. The bulb in this period contains enough nutrients and is at rest. Colchicum is undemanding to the place of landing. It can be an open sunny area or light partial shade. However, it is not recommended to plant it under trees with a dense crown. The lack of light for plants does not play a role, but in shady, moist places many slugs can live.
Flowers grow best on loose, fertile soil, but can also adapt to other soils. Even heavy loam is not a problem for them. Acidity can also be any. The only thing that colchicum does not tolerate is flooded, swampy areas. Medium and small bulbs are planted to a depth of 8-12 cm, and larger ones are buried by 20-25 cm. The edges of the scaly tube that sticks out of the bulb should peek out on the surface. Since the bush will constantly grow in breadth, the distance between plantings should be from 20 cm.
Before planting, large clods are dug up and smashed. Mullein and superphosphate are recommended. If possible, heavy earth is mixed with sawdust and peat.
Plant Care Rules
Care for colchicum is very simple. The plant is unpretentious, and its periods of activity are already accompanied by natural favorable conditions. In spring, the soil is full of moisture from melting snow. Watering the colchicum is not necessary. However, it is recommended to control the moisture level in the soil. When flooding, grooves are made to drain the water and the remaining snow is removed. If arid weather sets in with the appearance of flowers, it is necessary to water the colchicum with a small amount of water.
During spring and summer, weed should be periodically weeded and weeds removed. In June, drying leaves are cut to keep the flower garden attractive. The same procedure is repeated in late autumn, when flowering is completed. Before pruning, the shoot must have time to fade.
In autumn, compost and fallen leaves are distributed at the planting site. They serve as sufficient shelter for the winter. In temperate climates, colchicum tolerate frosts normally even in the absence of snow.
With frequent flooding of the soil, plants are affected by gray rot. Minor manifestations can be removed by treatment with fungicide ("Topaz", "Kuproksat", "Champion"). Bulbs and succulent leaves like snails and slugs. Insecticides practically do not act on them. Gardeners create mechanical obstacles for parasites, scattering crushed eggshells and ashes.
Healing properties
Bulbs and colchicum seeds contain alkaloids, sugars, flavonoids and essential oils. Preparations from them are used in folk and traditional medicine as painkillers, diuretics, laxatives and emetics. Alkaloids help lower blood pressure and help prevent the development of cancerous tumors.
We must not forget that all parts of the plant are very poisonous. In case of an overdose, severe poisoning is possible, and getting fresh juice on the skin causes a burn. Before using potions from colchicum, you should consult your doctor.
