First its violet flowers shone so wonderfully and conjured up delightful splashes of color in the dreary garden. Now the flowering time is over. Does the crocus need a cut now?
When and how do I cut a crocus?
Crocuses do not require pruning, but can be cut after they have completely wilted. It is advisable to remove the wilted flowers to prevent seed formation. After cutting is the optimal time for fertilizing or transplanting.
Does the crocus necessarily need pruning?
The crocus needsno pruning. Similar to other early bloomers such as daffodils, snowdrops and tulips, the crocus withdraws after the flowering period. The flower dries up along with the leaves and becomes earth. You can therefore leave your crocus carelessly and you don't necessarily have to pull out the secateurs while caring for it. This also applies to crocuses that bloom in autumn.
When can the crocus be cut?
If you are bothered by the appearance of the wilted flowers and leaves, you can cut the crocus when it iscompletely wilted.
The crocus should not be cut immediately after flowering. It is important that its leaves turn yellow. The tuber in the ground draws the juice from the leaves and needs it for the coming season. You can even use a lawn mower (€89.00 on Amazon) to rigorously shorten the crocus after the above-ground parts of the plant have completely wilted.
Should the wilted flowers of the crocus be cut off?
In contrast to removing the leaves, cutting off the wilted flowers of the crocus isrecommended This will prevent your crocus from forming its seeds. That would rob him of his strength. In addition, cutting wilted flowers prevents the crocus from later self-seeding, which is not always met with joy.
What should you do after cutting the crocus?
Immediately after cutting is the optimal time tofertilize the crocus. Simply use compost for this. A crocus in a planter can be provided with slow-release fertilizer. Fertilizing is crucial so that the tuber can recharge its batteries for the next flowering season. Otherwise there is a risk that the crocus will stop blooming at some point.
Also after cutting, you cantransplant the crocus if necessary.
Is the crocus suitable as a cut flower?
The flowers of the crocus arenot suitable as cut flowers. Their stems are too short to store much juice and therefore last long in a vase. It is therefore better to leave your crocuses in the bed, because the bees can also feed on them there.
Tip
Propagate the crocus immediately after cutting
Crocuses usually reproduce underground within a few years using daughter tubers. If you want, you can use the opportunity after the plant has been cut or withered to separate these daughter tubers from the main tuber and plant them in another location.
