Hello Ian,
You were mentioning the problems to get Crocus sativus into flower.
On the suggestions of 2 forumists I decided to experiment with corms planted on different depths.
Quoted from 13 June 2010:
I have divided the excess C. sativus in 2 equal groups and planted 1 group at 15 cm and the other at 28 cm depth. I added the same amount of fertiliser and they are planted side by side in sandy soil on a sunny spot under a mini peach tree . So the experiment can begin. It will probably take 2 growing seasons before a trustable verdict can be given, but I will keep keep you informed. My first findings were that the soil was still a bit moist at 15 cm, but pretty dry at 28 cm. There were also roots growing at 28 cm, if I wanted to dig any deeper I had to damage those to much.
So I had a group at 15 cm and one other at 28 cm and several others which grow round the garden at about 7 cm.
The 15 and 28 cm group consisted of comparable groups of each 11 corms in all sizes. The 7 cm group has grown in the garden for 2 seasons, somewhere between 50-100 corms in all sizes.
- | 7 cm | 15 cm | 28 cm |
first leaves | 20 Sept | 5 Oct | 26 Oct |
success rate | a lot | 70% | 30% |
flowers | 10+ | 3 | none |
This is only the first season of the experiment. To get trustable results the plants should have at least had the time to accumulate strength during a growing season, but my first feeling says that 28 cm is to deep in my garden.
Overall I had more flowers then earlier years, probably because we had a dry and hot summer.
Maybe more results next year.
Rob