Crocosmia

The genus Crocosmia, or Tritonia (Crocosmia, or Tritonia), consists of 55 species. These are perennial corm plants of open ground. In appearance, methods of cultivation and renewal, they are very similar to gladioli. The flowers are collected in thin branched spike-shaped inflorescences, very attractive from a decorative point of view. This section describes species that bloom in May and June. Some of them are often mistakenly attributed by botanical characteristics to other genera. Crocosmia saffron (Crocosmia crocata) is a widely grown species with a height of 40 - 50 cm. The flowers are red-bright orange, 4 cm in diameter, arranged in two rows at the top of the peduncle. There are many hybrid forms, the flowers of which represent a whole range of colors: from white to yellow, orange, pink and copper-red. Crocosmia blooming (S. florida) - a plant 60 cm high, with yellow flowers. Tritonia hyalina is a 30 cm tall plant. It produces large flowers, the same yellow as crocosmia saffron. Tritonia rosea (T. rosea) is a plant with a height of 50 cm, its flowers are smaller than those of tritonia chialina, have a pink color with yellow and dark spots. The most stable of all these species is saffron tritonia.

The genus Crocosmia, or Tritonia (Crocosmia, or Tritonia), consists of 55 species. These are perennial corm plants of open ground. In appearance, methods of cultivation and renewal, they are very similar to gladioli. The flowers are collected in thin branched spike-shaped inflorescences, very attractive from a decorative point of view. This section describes species that bloom in May and June. Some of them are often mistakenly attributed by botanical characteristics to other genera.

Crocosmia saffron (Crocosmia crocata) is a widely grown species with a height of 40 - 50 cm. The flowers are red-bright orange, 4 cm in diameter, arranged in two rows at the top of the peduncle. There are many hybrid forms, the flowers of which represent a whole range of colors: from white to yellow, orange, pink and copper-red.

Crocosmia blooming (S. florida) - a plant 60 cm high, with yellow flowers.

Tritonia hyalina is a 30 cm tall plant. It produces large flowers, the same yellow as crocosmia saffron.

Tritonia rosea (T. rosea) is a plant with a height of 50 cm, its flowers are smaller than those of tritonia chialina, have a pink color with yellow and dark spots.

The most stable of all these species is saffron tritonia.

Cultivation

Crocosmia, or tritonia, are grown in the open ground in flower beds, as well as in pots and boxes on balconies and terraces. In pots with a diameter of 13-15 cm, corms are planted in September, 5-7 pieces per vessel. Containers are filled with well-moistened soil, which is a mixture of neutral peat, sand and sterilized earth, taken in equal parts. It is filled with a complex fertilizer of prolonged action at the rate of 30 g per bucket. In the cold season, the pots are left in a closed room, where the temperature is maintained at least 8 °C. In the open ground, corms are planted in spring, in fertile land, previously fertilized with organic substances in the amount of 5 kg/m2. In mild climates, corms can be left in the ground for the winter, but it is necessary to cover the soil with organic materials, such as straw or foliage. If the temperature drops below 8 °C in winter, corms should be dug out of the ground in autumn and stored in a cool, dry place until spring. Until the first leaves develop, the plant is not watered. During the spring-summer period, once every 2 weeks, they are fed with a complex fertilizer at the rate of 10 g per bucket.

Crocosmia, or tritonia, are grown in the open ground in flower beds, as well as in pots and boxes on balconies and terraces. In pots with a diameter of 13-15 cm, corms are planted in September, 5-7 pieces per vessel. Containers are filled with well-moistened soil, which is a mixture of neutral peat, sand and sterilized earth, taken in equal parts. It is filled with a complex fertilizer of prolonged action at the rate of 30 g per bucket. In the cold season, the pots are left in a closed room, where the temperature is maintained at least 8 °C.

In the open ground, corms are planted in spring, in fertile land, previously fertilized with organic substances in the amount of 5 kg/m2.

In mild climates, corms can be left in the ground for the winter, but it is necessary to cover the soil with organic materials, such as straw or foliage. If the temperature drops below 8 °C in winter, corms should be dug out of the ground in autumn and stored in a cool, dry place until spring. Until the first leaves develop, the plant is not watered. During the spring-summer period, once every 2 weeks, they are fed with a complex fertilizer at the rate of 10 g per bucket.

Location

Crocosmia necessarily requires a well-lit place.

Temperature

These plants are resistant to high air temperature, but do not tolerate a decrease of less than 8-10 °C.

Watering

During the period of active development, until the leaves turn yellow, water often. Subsequently, watering is reduced, and for the winter it is completely interrupted.

Transplant

Transplanted in September, once every 2 years, in a pot slightly larger than the previous one.

Care

Remove withered flowers, as well as dry and damaged leaves.

Reproduction

For reproduction, it is recommended to use babies. They are separated from the mother bulb after the leaves turn yellow and transplanted into pots or boxes, where they are kept until the final planting in the ground. Flowering occurs in 2-3 years.

Diseases

Crocosmia bulbs can rot in waterlogged soil. To prevent this from happening, only use suitable soil. In conditions of high humidity, gray rot of vegetable crops (Botrytis cinerea) can appear on the leaves, peduncles and flowers. Pay more attention to watering. Treat with products designed to combat gray rot.

Acquisition

These plants are quite rare; bulbs should be ordered in advance from nurseries and gardening centers. Check them for mildew.