Colchicum flowers in the garden: varieties and their cultivation. Autumn garden flowers. Colchicum

For some, the time of sowing seeds for seedlings is a long-awaited and pleasant chore, for others it is a difficult necessity, and others wonder whether it would be easier to buy ready-made seedlings on the market or from friends? Be that as it may, even if you gave up growing vegetable crops, for sure, you will still have to sow something. These are flowers and perennials, conifers and much more. A seedling is still a seedling, no matter what you sow.

A lover of moist air and one of the most compact and rare orchids, pafinia is a real star for most orchid growers. Its flowering rarely lasts longer than a week, but it can be an unforgettable sight. You want to look at the unusual striped patterns on the huge flowers of the modest orchid endlessly. IN indoor culture pafinia is rightly ranked among the difficult-to-grow species. It became fashionable only with the spread of interior terrariums.

Pumpkin ginger marmalade is a warming sweet that can be made almost all year round. Pumpkin keeps for a long time - sometimes I manage to save a few vegetables until summer, fresh ginger and lemons are always available these days. Lemon can be replaced with lime or orange to create different flavors - variety in sweets is always nice. The finished marmalade is placed in dry jars; it can be stored at room temperature, but it’s always healthier to cook fresh food.

In 2014, the Japanese company Takii seed introduced petunia with a striking petal color - salmon-orange. By association with bright colors southern sunset sky, the unique hybrid is called African Sunset. Needless to say, this petunia instantly won the hearts of gardeners and was in great demand. But in the last two years, the curiosity has suddenly disappeared from store windows. Where did the orange petunia go?

In our family Bell pepper they love it, that’s why we plant it every year. Most of the varieties that I grow have been tested by me for more than one season; I cultivate them constantly. I also try to try something new every year. Pepper is a heat-loving plant and quite whimsical. Varietal and hybrid varieties of tasty and productive sweet peppers, which grow well for me, will be discussed further. I live in middle lane Russia.

Meat cutlets with broccoli in béchamel sauce - great idea for a quick lunch or dinner. Start by preparing the mince and at the same time heat 2 liters of water to a boil to blanch the broccoli. By the time the cutlets are fried, the cabbage will be ready. All that remains is to collect the ingredients in a frying pan, season with sauce and bring to readiness. Broccoli needs to be cooked quickly to retain its vibrant color. green color, which, when cooked for a long time, either fades or the cabbage turns brown.

Home floriculture - not only exciting process, but also a very troublesome hobby. And, as a rule, the more experience a grower has, the healthier his plants look. What should those who have no experience but want to have a home do? houseplants- not elongated, stunted specimens, but beautiful and healthy ones, not causing a feeling of guilt with their fading? For beginners and flower growers who do not have much experience, I will tell you about the main mistakes that are easy to avoid.

Lush cheesecakes in a frying pan with banana-apple confiture - another recipe for everyone’s favorite dish. To prevent cheesecakes from falling off after cooking, remember a few simple rules. Firstly, only fresh and dry cottage cheese, secondly, no baking powder or soda, thirdly, the thickness of the dough - you can sculpt from it, it is not tight, but pliable. Good dough with a small amount of flour you will only get good cottage cheese, but here again see the “firstly” point.

It is no secret that many drugs from pharmacies have migrated to summer cottages. Their use, at first glance, seems so exotic that some summer residents are perceived with hostility. At the same time, potassium permanganate is a long-known antiseptic that is used in both medicine and veterinary medicine. In plant growing, a solution of potassium permanganate is used both as an antiseptic and as a fertilizer. In this article we will tell you how to properly use potassium permanganate in the garden.

Pork meat salad with mushrooms is a rural dish that can often be found on festive table in the village. This recipe is with champignons, but if possible, use Forest mushrooms, then be sure to cook it this way, it will be even tastier. You don’t need to spend a lot of time preparing this salad - put the meat in a pan for 5 minutes and another 5 minutes for slicing. Everything else happens practically without the participation of the cook - the meat and mushrooms are boiled, cooled, and marinated.

Cucumbers grow well not only in a greenhouse or conservatory, but also in open ground. Typically, cucumbers are sown from mid-April to mid-May. Harvesting in this case is possible from mid-July to the end of summer. Cucumbers cannot tolerate frost. That's why we don't sow them too early. However, there is a way to bring their harvest closer and taste the juicy beauties from your garden at the beginning of summer or even in May. It is only necessary to take into account some of the features of this plant.

Poliscias is an excellent alternative to classic variegated shrubs and woody. The elegant round or feathery leaves of this plant create a strikingly festive curly crown, and its elegant silhouettes and rather modest character make it an excellent candidate for the role of large plant in the house. Larger leaves do not prevent it from successfully replacing Benjamin and Co. ficus. Moreover, polyscias offers much more variety.

Pumpkin cinnamon casserole is juicy and incredibly tasty, a little like pumpkin pie, but unlike pie, it is more tender and just melts in your mouth! This is the perfect sweet recipe for a family with children. As a rule, kids don’t really like pumpkin, but they never mind eating something sweet. Sweet pumpkin casserole - delicious and healthy dessert, which, moreover, is prepared very simply and quickly. Try it! You'll like it!

A hedge is not only one of essential elements landscape design. It also performs various protective functions. If, for example, the garden borders a road, or a highway passes nearby, then hedge simply necessary. “Green walls” will protect the garden from dust, noise, wind and create a special comfort and microclimate. In this article we will look at optimal plants to create a hedge that can reliably protect the area from dust.

Colchicum (lat. Colchicum), also known as colchicum or autumn flower, is a plant belonging to the genus of flowering perennials. Colchicum is part of the Colchicum family, their distribution area is Central and Western Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as North Africa. The Latin name for colchicum comes from the word "colchis", which means "Colchis". Colchis is a region of the Black Sea region in which several species of colchicum are common. Today, colchicums are grown in almost all temperate climates. As a rule, the time when colchicum blooms is late autumn (late September - early October).

Colchicum, also known as colchicum, is a perennial herbaceous plant. It can be easily recognized by its numerous short stems with large, elongated lanceolate leaves that die off in early summer. Flowering of this plant usually occurs in the autumn, although some species of colchicum bloom in the spring. During flowering they rise from the soil single flowers funnel-shaped. Flowers reach 20 cm in length. Colchicum is poisonous, the ancient Greek naturalist and pharmacologist Dioscorides wrote about this in his time.

Let's move on from the characteristics of colchicum to a description of the method of growing this plant.

Did you know? In common parlance, colchicum is called lousy flower, spider flower, meadow saffron, dog onion, devil's bread and poisonous crocus.

Place and soil for colchicum

Colchicum is very popular among both novice gardeners and landscape design specialists. Colchicum is loved for its autumn flowering season, it blooms at a time when most flowers have long withered. In spring and summer period large beautiful leaves Colchicum decorate the garden. You can hide withered and fallen autumn leaves among other plants. To do this, it is enough to plant colchicum between creeping plants such as periwinkle and tenacious.

Colchicum needs correct landing and care. Start by determining your planting location. This plant loves sunny places with slight partial shade. It is better to refrain from dense shade, since various slugs attack the colchicum there.

Colchicum needs light and loose soil with a sufficient supply of nutrients.

Did you know? The name "colchicum" was given to the plant due to the fact that some of its species bloom late in the fall, and the seed capsule develops the following spring.

Planting colchicum bulbs in open ground

The time for planting colchicum comes when all the plant bulbs collected in June-July are separated, thoroughly disinfected and well dried. Colchicum bulbs are prepared and you are wondering when to plant them outdoors? Best time for planting - this is the first half of August.

Dig small holes about 30 cm deep, with a distance between the holes of approximately 15-20 cm. After the bulbs are placed in the holes, carefully sprinkle them with soil, and then water them generously.

Experienced gardeners recommend plant autumn trees in small and compact groups. The undoubted advantage of group seedlings is that the first time the colchicum blooms only one flower. The grown plant forms new bulbs, which produce several flowers of white, pink or lilac shade. Such delicate and light bouquets will become wonderful decoration your garden plot.

Important! Stagnant water is detrimental to colchicum, so check your area carefully and remove any holes in which liquid may accumulate.

Selection of neighbors for colchicum

The colchicum flower will certainly please you if it is grown with the right “neighborhood”. Ideal flowerbed neighbors for colchicum will be hellebore, peony And juniper. After flowering, the colchicum will be covered by creeping plants (creeping thyme, aubrietta).

Colchicum is perfect for group planting in flower beds with perennials, and will also decorate rockeries, rock gardens, border plantings and paths along ponds. Autumn flowers can also be grown in pots that are placed outside, on balconies, or as a decorative item. interior design dwellings.

4. How to care for colchicum flowers

Distinctive feature Colchicum is its unpretentiousness. It is necessary to water the plant only during the period of vegetative growth and when the soil is very dry. Colchicum does not need to be watered during flowering; colchicums grown in pots are also not watered.

Colchicum can be attacked by slugs that eat plant flowers that are in the shade or damp. This needs to be constantly monitored and pests caught regularly.

Other plant care measures include removing faded buds and wilted leaves, as well as weeding. For the winter, the crocus must be covered with a layer of dry foliage or any non-woven material(agrofibre).

Do not forget to timely plant colchicum, since a large accumulation of bulbs will lead to the plant switching to only the vegetative type of propagation. In this case, the colchicum will simply stop blooming. Colchicum should be replanted every 2-3 years.

Did you know? The bulbs and seeds of wild colchicum are used medicinally as a cure for asthma and even cancer.

How to deal with pests and diseases of colchicum

The main pests of colchicum are snails and slugs, which eat the leaves of the plant. To combat them, you can set up special traps or use molluscicides (methiocarb or metaldehyde). To protect the plant from slugs, fill the space between the rows with fine gravel or just eggshell. You can also place plastic gutters filled with water around the perimeter of the site, and this will become a mechanical barrier for pests.

Gray rot is a disease that affects colchicum, its description should begin with the conditions of its occurrence. As a rule, it occurs when the plant is over-hydrated. Gray rot is a fungal disease. If the damage is weak, the plant should be treated the following drugs: “Champion”, “Topaz”, “Kuproksat”.

Important! Heavily affected parts of the colchicum need to be removed and watering balanced.

Forcing Colchicum

Large autumn bulbs (more than 3 cm in diameter) are used for winter forcing. Colchicum bulbs do not need to be thrown away after forcing, like other bulbous bulbs. Bulbs dug up in summer must be thoroughly dried and placed in a cool, dark place. About a month before the expected flowering, the bulb is planted in a box or pot with fertile soil. There, the bulb is periodically watered and kept at room temperature until the first shoots appear.

For some, the time of sowing seeds for seedlings is a long-awaited and pleasant chore, for others it is a difficult necessity, and others wonder whether it would be easier to buy ready-made seedlings on the market or from friends? Be that as it may, even if you have given up growing vegetables, you will probably still have to sow something. These include flowers, perennials, conifers and much more. A seedling is still a seedling, no matter what you sow.

A lover of moist air and one of the most compact and rare orchids, pafinia is a real star for most orchid growers. Its flowering rarely lasts longer than a week, but it can be an unforgettable sight. You want to look at the unusual striped patterns on the huge flowers of the modest orchid endlessly. In indoor culture, pafinia is rightly ranked among the difficult-to-grow species. It became fashionable only with the spread of interior terrariums.

In 2014, the Japanese company Takii seed introduced petunia with a striking petal color - salmon-orange. Based on associations with the bright colors of the southern sunset sky, the unique hybrid was named African Sunset. Needless to say, this petunia instantly won the hearts of gardeners and was in great demand. But in the last two years, the curiosity has suddenly disappeared from store windows. Where did the orange petunia go?

Our family loves sweet peppers, so we plant them every year. Most of the varieties that I grow have been tested by me for more than one season; I cultivate them constantly. I also try to try something new every year. Pepper is a heat-loving plant and quite whimsical. Varietal and hybrid varieties of tasty and productive sweet peppers, which grow well for me, will be discussed further. I live in central Russia.

Meat cutlets with broccoli in bechamel sauce are a great idea for a quick lunch or dinner. Start by preparing the mince and at the same time heat 2 liters of water to a boil to blanch the broccoli. By the time the cutlets are fried, the cabbage will be ready. All that remains is to collect the ingredients in a frying pan, season with sauce and bring to readiness. Broccoli needs to be cooked quickly to preserve its bright green color, which, when cooked for a long time, either fades or the cabbage turns brown.

Home floriculture is not only a fascinating process, but also a very troublesome hobby. And, as a rule, the more experience a grower has, the healthier his plants look. What should those who do not have experience do, but want to have indoor plants at home - not elongated, stunted specimens, but beautiful and healthy ones that do not cause a feeling of guilt with their fading? For beginners and flower growers who do not have much experience, I will tell you about the main mistakes that are easy to avoid.

Lush cheesecakes in a frying pan with banana-apple confiture - another recipe for everyone’s favorite dish. To prevent cheesecakes from falling off after cooking, remember a few simple rules. Firstly, only fresh and dry cottage cheese, secondly, no baking powder or soda, thirdly, the thickness of the dough - you can sculpt from it, it is not tight, but pliable. A good dough with a small amount of flour can only be obtained from good cottage cheese, and here again see the “firstly” point.

Pork meat salad with mushrooms is a rural dish that can often be found on a holiday table in the village. This recipe is with champignons, but if you have the opportunity to use wild mushrooms, be sure to cook it this way, it will be even tastier. You don’t need to spend a lot of time preparing this salad - put the meat in a pan for 5 minutes and another 5 minutes for slicing. Everything else happens practically without the participation of the cook - the meat and mushrooms are boiled, cooled, and marinated.

Polyscias is an excellent alternative to classic variegated shrubs and woody ones. The elegant round or feathery leaves of this plant create a strikingly festive curly crown, and its elegant silhouettes and rather modest character make it an excellent candidate for the role of the largest plant in the house. Larger leaves do not prevent it from successfully replacing Benjamin and Co. ficus. Moreover, polyscias offers much more variety.

Pumpkin cinnamon casserole is juicy and incredibly tasty, a little like pumpkin pie, but unlike pie, it is more tender and just melts in your mouth! This is the perfect sweet recipe for a family with children. As a rule, kids don’t really like pumpkin, but they never mind eating something sweet. Sweet pumpkin casserole is a delicious and healthy dessert, which, moreover, is very simple and quick to prepare. Try it! You'll like it!

A hedge is not only one of the most important elements of landscape design. It also performs various protective functions. If, for example, the garden borders a road, or there is a highway nearby, then a hedge is simply necessary. “Green walls” will protect the garden from dust, noise, wind and create a special comfort and microclimate. In this article, we will look at the optimal plants for creating a hedge that can reliably protect the area from dust.

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor of the department. Botany RGAU-MSHA named after K.A. Timiryazeva

In this article we will talk about a plant that should not be used as a phytotherapeutic agent under any circumstances. Unfortunately, some publications mention its use as an external remedy for joint diseases. This information is drawn from medieval European herbalists and wanders from one modern publication to another. But its “poisonousness” is so great that no advice “ knowledgeable people"should not encourage you, dear readers, to use it. Handling it requires all the more caution because it last years it is very widely used as a decorative summer cottages. Or rather, we will talk about a whole genus of plants that have attracted the attention of flower growers not only because of their beauty, but also because they bloom at inopportune times. Actually, the name itself speaks about this. We will talk about colchicum, or colchicum.

On the territory of Russia, two species are found in the wild - the magnificent colchicum ( Colchicum speciosum) and autumn crocus ( Colchicum autumnale L.). In general, the genus is much more extensive. It currently contains more than 100 species that grow in Europe, the Mediterranean, up to Central Asia and India. Representatives of this genus are extremely poisonous plants, which was noted by Dioscorides. According to his statement, most species of plants of this genus grow on the Black Sea coast in Colchis. From this fabulous land, the plant inherited its very name Colchicum, which literally means “a native of Colchis.” According to the ancient Greeks, in Colchis there was a garden of the goddess Hecate, where numerous poisonous plants grew - henbane, hemlock, hemlock and, of course, colchicum. The garden was surrounded by a high wall, the gate was guarded huge dogs with burning eyes. And Medea used the colchicum to prepare all kinds of witchcraft potions.

This plant has a lot of popular names, but all of them in one way or another remind of either a late flowering time or pathological toxicity - untimely flower, colchicum, winter grass, autumn flower, autumn color, dog's death, fatherless son.

Colchicums are perennial herbaceous plants of the Colchicum family. (Colchicaceae) order Liliaceae ( Liliaceae), with oblong corms, reaching 3-5 cm in length, covered with leathery, dark brown scales, elongated at the top into a long neck located on the soil surface. The leaves, 3-4, are shiny, lanceolate or elliptic, 18-25 cm long, obtuse at the apex, with closed sheaths forming a false stem. The flowers are large, bisexual, from white to purple, with 6 petals in nature. The fruits are three-locular elliptical or rhombic capsules. They bloom in late summer and autumn until mid-October. During the flowering period, the leaves are not developed. Leaves and fruits appear on the soil surface only in the spring of next year, immediately after the snow melts. The seeds ripen in May-June. After seeding aboveground part plants die off.

Colchicum magnificent within Russia is found only in the Caucasus, in the mountainous southwestern regions Krasnodar region. Grows in the subalpine zone and in forest clearings. It is often cultivated in the central European part on personal plots as an ornamental plant.

The very poisonous autumn crocus (colchicum) is also sometimes cultivated as a decorative plant. C. autumnale L)., which has some morphological differences from the splendid colchicum. In nature, it is found in Europe, in the northern regions of Africa, in the south of Russia in damp meadows. From a bulb whose diameter is 3-7 cm, 1-3 flowers 10-30 cm high grow in the fall. The flowers are lilac-pink; The plant blooms from September to October. In spring, long green leaves appear, between which fruits - boxes - are placed. Throughout the summer, the above-ground part of the plant gradually becomes covered with a shell, stopping growth. The drier and hotter the summer, the faster the colchicums retire.

Everything is poisonous!

All parts of the colchicum plant are poisonous, but the seeds and bulbs are especially toxic. Corms and seeds contain 0.4-1.6% alkaloids (colchicine, colchamine, colchicerine, speciosamine). The most toxic are colchicine and colchamine, which belong to the group of mitotic poisons. Colchicine has a depressing effect on leuko- and lymphopoiesis, causing severe hyperemia of the mucous membranes gastrointestinal tract due to capillary paralysis, reduces the release of histamine and insulin. Increases intestinal motility, affects the kidneys and central nervous system. During heat treatment (cooking, frying), the poison is not destroyed. Colhamin is 10-18 times less toxic.

Six grams of colchicum seeds contains a dose of alkaloids that is lethal for an adult. For a child lethal dose 1.5-2 grams of seeds are considered.

Poisoning by this plant occurs when its bulbs and seeds are mistaken for edible and eaten, as well as when tincture of the bulbs is taken orally for self-medication. There are known cases of poisoning of people who consumed the milk of cows that ate colchicum.

There are many cases of colchicum poisoning described in the literature. She died in one village whole family, treated on the advice of a healer with a decoction of this plant. IN folk medicine Colchicum is used as a remedy for cancer. But under no circumstances should you do this!

In official medicine, the alkaloid colhamine, isolated from the bulbs, is used for oncological diseases. In homeopathy, the essence of autumn colchicum is used. Considering that homeopathic doses are so small that only traces enter the body active ingredients, this plant is prescribed quite often. In pharmacies it is sold under the name Colchicum.

Essence Colchicum prepared from the juice of the fresh root mixed with an equal part of 90% alcohol, or a tincture of dried seeds with 5 parts of 90% alcohol.

As you know, homeopathic medicines are prescribed based on the symptoms and sensations of the patient. For Colchicum they are as follows. This remedy has one reliable and positive symptom - an aversion to cooked food, when you feel sick to the point of nausea. The second very important symptom is a strong burning sensation and a feeling of icy cold in the stomach and abdomen. Flatulence, diarrhea with tenesmus in patients with gout. Rending pain in small joints with inflammation (swelling, hyperemia). Therefore, this remedy is also prescribed against articular rheumatism, wandering and gouty.

Preference is given to Colchicum when the condition worsens at night and in cold, damp weather, when moving, touching, or seeing and smelling food.

Kolhamin (Colchaminum). N-Methyldesacetylcolchicine. Synonyms: Omain, Colcemid.

Pharmachologic effect. It has antimitotic activity (blocks mitosis at the metaphase stage) and, when administered parenterally, has an inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor tissue and inhibits hematopoiesis; in direct contact with tumor cells (for example, in skin cancer), the drug leads to their death.

Indications for use: Endophytic and exophytic forms of skin cancer stages I and II.

Release form: 0.5% ointment in a package of 25 g.

Clinical picture of colchicum poisoning

IN general outline Colchicum poisoning occurs as follows. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, watery or bloody diarrhea, tenesmus, burning sensation in the throat, low blood pressure, weak arrhythmic pulse, oliguria. There are convulsions or weakening of muscle tone, a decrease in body temperature, weakening of breathing up to its paralysis, and delirium. Poisoning develops slowly, after 2-6 hours.

A more detailed examination of the poisoning process in the clinical picture distinguishes three phases of toxic action:

1 phase- the period of early manifestations of poisoning (2-12 hours), in which symptoms arise mainly from the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain), tachycardia, chest pain. In case of severe poisoning, symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract can be pronounced, hemorrhagic gastritis, vomiting with blood and water-electrolyte imbalance associated with vomiting develop; blood pressure decreases, reflex bradycardia occurs.

2 phase- the period of formation of multiple organ failure (24-72 hours) is the most dangerous. Most deaths occur during this period. Hemorrhagic syndrome associated with thrombocytopenia and liver damage dominates. In addition, the development of intoxication is accompanied by increased fibrinolytic activity. In the second phase, hyperthermia, peripheral neuropathy, impaired cardiovascular function, respiratory systems and parenchymal organs. Life-threatening arrhythmias and asystole are most likely between 7 and 36 hours. Suppression of bone marrow functions occurs, threatening septic complications; often central manifestations of toxic effects in the form of delirium, and depression of consciousness up to coma. Inhibiting mitosis in Schwann cells. Colchicine causes the development of muscle weakness, areflexia, and peripheral sensory neuropathy.

Regardless of the route of entry into the body of colchicine, the symptoms of poisoning with it develop slowly, and the clinical picture is extended over time; there is a phased course of its course. Most often, septic complications develop in the period from 3 to 7 days. During the 3rd phase, the functions of systems and organs are restored, however, in case of severe poisoning with this poison, the temperature reaction and blood dyscrasias persist for a long time (A.P. Efremov, 2001).

First aid for colchicum poisoning

Appointed Activated carbon(2-3 tablespoons in 0.5 liters of water) followed by gastric lavage with a 0.1% solution of potassium permanganate.

Drink plenty of water and milk. Subsequently, the administration of an isotonic solution of sodium chloride (up to 1 liter subcutaneously by drip), glucose (10 ml of a 20-40% solution intravenously or a 5% solution subcutaneously) is indicated. If breathing is impaired with cyanosis, oxygen is prescribed. And hurry to the hospital!!!

To plant or not to plant colchicum in the garden

The question is almost Hamletian. When deciding to plant it on your site, it is very beautiful, but very poisonous plant, be aware of the possible danger. If there are small children in the family who want to taste everything, it is better to refrain from planting and wait for a more meaningful age for your beloved child.

Breeding work with colchicum, as with ornamental plant, is underway. Withdrawn terry varieties. Colchicum hybrids were obtained as a result of crossing the magnificent colchicum with the autumnal crocus, as well as with the common colchicum (S. latifolia Sibth. et Smith.).

Colchicums produce large corms covered with a brown membranous membrane. In the spring, large, wide, oblong, glossy leaves grow from them, which by the end of spring wither and fall off. In summer, the plant is in a state of vegetative dormancy. It blooms in autumn, most often in September. The flowers are light pink, lilac-pink, similar to saffron flowers. The plant develops well in good clay garden soil in a sunny area, sometimes in partial shade and even in the shade. Propagated by daughter bulbs at the time when the period of vegetative dormancy begins.

Colchicums are dug out of the soil in July, removing the daughter bulbs. In early August, the bulbs are planted in the ground to a depth of 15-20 cm, at a distance of 20 cm from each other. Optimal conditions for development - any damp garden soil. The plant is unpretentious, without special care grows in one place for quite a long time. In rock gardens it is used in group plantings, planted so that free places After collecting the bulbs from the soil, creeping, creeping annuals could be planted.

In autumn, the flowerbed looks bare and dull, matching our mood. You can create a feeling of early spring by planting autumn colchicum. It is also called poisonous crocus for its resemblance to spring crocus and primrose.

The plant blooms in September, when most plants have entered a dormant period. Delicate, fragile flowers look very beautiful and impressive on already bare ground.

General view of the plant

Colchicum or crocus is a bulbous plant with a height of 5 to 30 cm. The fact that the plant is perennial is a definite plus. Colchicum has an oblong bulb covered with dark brown scales with a beige center. In spring, lanceolate leaves grow from the bulb, up to 30 cm long, bright green in color, which form lush bush. Simultaneously with the growth sheet plates a stem grows with a three-chambered seed capsule, in which brown and red seeds are formed. At the beginning of June, the seeds ripen and the capsule opens. If you need seeds, you must not miss the collection time, since there is a high probability that the seeds will end up on the ground or be blown away by the wind.

September is the time of flowering of colchicum. You can witness a magnificent spectacle - blooming crocus flowers with snow lying around. After all, neither frost nor snow is an obstacle to its flowering.

The plant produces a stem about 25 cm high with a funnel-shaped flower with a large (up to 10 cm) flower. From one bulb grows from 2 to 6 peduncles with flowers. The flower does not produce leaves in autumn, so huge flowers on thin stalks look very impressive. Colchicum flower petals are lanceolate in shape. different colors: from snow-white to pink, from lilac shade to purple. Modern Sciences about selection and genetics presented new, double species and hybrids. They bloom for about 3 weeks, after which they dry out completely.

Life periods of autumn colchicum

Colchicum belongs to the "ephemeroids", that is, plants that adjust their growing seasons to certain weather conditions where they grow. Winter cold and summer heat are not the best weather conditions for growing season. That is why it has such strange, at first glance, life cycles.

Colchicum awakens in early spring and releases a bunch of leathery ones, green leaves, with a seed pod in the center. At the very beginning of June, after the seeds ripen, the plant dries out, retires. Colchicum blooms already in September, releasing a peduncle with a very pleasant smell.

Colchicum does not produce leaves during this period; the peduncle is nourished by the nutrients accumulated by the bulb. They accumulated during the spring growing season of leaves, in the cells of which photosynthesis occurred and supplied the bulb with the substances necessary for nutrition. After 2-3 weeks of flowering, the colchicum plant dries up and goes to rest until spring.

Colchicum varieties

Colchicum cheerful

Low, with pale lilac flowers about 7 cm in size. Due to the fact that the bulbs produce up to 6 peduncles, and the plant has a small height, it is possible to create mini-carpets that look very picturesque in the autumn. A special feature of these colchicums is the ability to open already formed buds during winter thaws.

Autumn colchicum

In spring it produces bright green leaf blades 40 cm high. In early September it forms a peduncle with a flower up to 7 cm in diameter. Traditional colors are white or light purple.

Autumn colchicum has a variety of decorative forms:

Terry – low (up to 12cm), has terry purple flowers diameter 5cm;
Beaconsfield - has bright purple flowers with a white center;
Atropurpureum - with rich burgundy and purple flowers.

Colchicum splendid

This variety forms wide rosettes up to 50 cm high (up to 6 cm) with wavy edges in early spring. Kinds:

Water lily – forms double, bright pink flowers;
Huxley - blooms in September, with flowers with a pink-purple hue, which changes to bright purple towards the edges;
Dark red - has rich burgundy flowers with a light center.

How to propagate autumn crocus?

It can be propagated both generatively (by seeds) and vegetatively (with the help of children from the bulb).

Seed propagation

Seed propagation is not popular due to the fact that the resulting plant will bloom in 6 years, since the bulb needs time to fully form. If you still decide to do this or manage to get the desired variety, you need to sow the seeds immediately after they have been collected. Seeds that have been stored for a certain time quickly lose their ability to germinate. Planting colchicum with seeds is usually practiced by those who want to get a lot at the same time. planting material, to create a specific composition in the future. To sow seeds, you must choose a loose and fertilized area. Sow in spilled furrows at a shallow depth.

Reproduction by children

This method is the easiest if you had to reproduce others bulbous plants, then propagating colchicum will not be difficult. You need to dig up colchicum bulbs at the very beginning of the dormant period - in mid-July. At that time, when the leaves of the colchicum turned yellow and withered, and the seeds in the seed box were already ripe. Due to the fact that the bulbs are located deep in the ground (up to 30 cm), you need to be careful and careful when removing the bulb from the ground.

The next stage is to remove old bulbs with dried leaves and clear the soil, but do not remove the scales that protect the baby. After washing in water, we disinfect the bulbs in a solution of potassium permanganate, followed by drying. Now you can store until planting time in a place with a temperature close to 24 ° C and dark lighting.

August is the most optimal month for planting work or for transplanting colchicum bulbs, since the plant is in the dormant phase. When planting, you should correlate the size of the bulb with the planting depth. If the bulbs are large enough, the planting depth will be from 12 to 15cm, with a distance between bulbs of 20-25cm. Small bulbs are accordingly planted at a shallower depth (6-8cm), with an interval of 10-12cm. The soil must be fertilized and loosened before planting.

Colchicum: planting and care

Autumn colchicum: care

The plant is unpretentious in care, and using the following tips will eliminate the appearance of unpleasant surprises.

Diseases and pests

The main disease is gray mold. Abundant, excessive watering, very rainy summers, an area in the shade with soil that does not dry out for a long time - these are the reasons for the outbreak of the disease. If the plant still becomes sick, it is necessary to cut the plant to a healthy place and treat it with the fungicide “Kuproksat”, “Topaz” or “Champion”. Preventive spraying with the same drugs will also be appropriate.

Slugs and snails are the main pests of colchicum. The drugs “Metaldehyde” or “Methiocarb” will help get rid of them. They also help traditional methods– laying out traps, sprinkling lime, crushed egg shells or broken shells around the plant. Attention! The autumn crocus plant is poisonous! In case of contact with the skin, redness, itching, and burns may occur. All plant care work must be carried out with gloves. Wash all used instruments after use.

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