Crocus Crocus 'Flower Record'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Crocus 'Flower Record' is characterized by its striking flowers which bloom in early spring. The blooms are large and cup-shaped, typically showcasing a rich, deep purple hue with a velvety texture. It's not uncommon for the petals to have a lighter margin which can create a beautiful contrast against the darker purple center. Each flower is borne on a short stem, just above the ground, and is surrounded at the base by grass-like, medium green leaves. These leaves often have a silvery stripe running down the middle, creating an added ornamental feature. As one of the first flowers to emerge in the year, 'Flower Record' crocus brings a welcome burst of color after the winter months.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Dutch Crocus, Flower Record Crocus
- Common names
  Crocus vernus 'Flower Record'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron crocus, is not considered toxic to humans. In fact, parts of the plant, such as the stigmas, are used as a spice (saffron) in cooking and are safe for human consumption in typical culinary quantities. However, consuming large amounts of the plant, especially the bulbs, may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, due to substances like colchicine that can be present in crocuses.
- To pets
  Saffron crocus is generally not toxic to pets, but it is important to distinguish it from the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), which is highly toxic. If a pet ingests parts of the latter, symptoms could include gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially more severe reactions like organ damage due to the presence of colchicine. Always ensure proper identification of plants to avoid accidental poisoning.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Purple
- Height
  4 inches (10 cm)
- Spread
  3 inches (7.5 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Mediterranean

Benefits

General Benefits
- Early Spring Color: Crocus 'Flower Record' blooms in early spring, providing one of the first splashes of color in the garden after winter.
- Attract Pollinators: The flowers are known to attract bees and other pollinators, which are important for the health of the ecosystem.
- Low Maintenance: Crocuses are generally low maintenance, requiring minimal care once they are established in the right conditions.
- Naturalizing: Crocus 'Flower Record' can naturalize and spread over time, creating larger displays each year without being invasive.
- Hardiness: This plant is hardy in many climates and can often withstand cold temperatures and frost.
- Compact Size: Their small and compact growth habit makes crocuses suitable for rock gardens, borders, or planting in grass.
- Versatility: Crocuses can grow in a variety of soil types, as long as there is good drainage.
- Garden Design: Crocuses can be used effectively to create patterns and designs in the garden due to their distinctive colors and early blooming period.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Crocuses are commonly used as a natural dye source, particularly the Crocus sativus species, but 'Flower Record' petals can also be used to create a light dye for fabrics.
- The stigmas of certain crocus varieties are valuable for saffron production; while 'Flower Record' does not produce saffron, its petals could be used as a garnish or colorant in culinary dishes.
- Crocus corms, the bulb-like storage organs, can be used for starch extraction, which can be utilized in biodegradable plastics and packaging materials.
- The crocus can play a role in companion planting by helping to deter certain rodents with its toxic corms when interspersed among other garden plants.
- Gardeners can use dried crocus petals to make natural potpourri, combining it with other dried flowers and spices for a fragrant household item.
- Crocus flowers can be pressed and included in floral art or crafts, such as making bookmarks, greeting cards, or decorative elements in resin jewelry.
- Ink made from crocus petals can be used to write or paint, offering a unique and natural alternative for artists and calligraphers.
- Crocuses can help with soil erosion control in gardens due to their dense rooting system, providing stability to loose or sandy soils.
- The bright and early blossoming flowers of the crocus can be used in landscape design to create visually appealing patterns and indicators of spring's arrival.
- Some educational programs use crocus plantings as a hands-on way to teach children about plant biology, botany, and the importance of pollinators in the ecosystem.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Crocus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Crocus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Hope: Crocuses are often one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, symbolizing the hope and optimism that accompanies the end of winter and the onset of warmer days.
- Youthfulness: The delicate and fresh appearance of crocus flowers is associated with the vitality and energy of youth.
- Cheerfulness: The bright colors of Crocus 'Flower Record', which can range from purple to white, are seen as bringing joy and cheerfulness to gardens and natural landscapes.
- Rebirth: As springtime flowers, crocuses signify rebirth and new beginnings, reminding observers of the cycle of life and the rebirth of nature.

💧

When soil is dry

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer to Fall

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Crocus 'Flower Record,' commonly known as crocus, requires moderate moisture during active growth and a dry period after blooming. During the growing season in the fall and early spring, water the crocus once a week with about 1 inch of water to facilitate proper root development. Once the foliage begins to die back after flowering, reduce watering significantly to allow for a drier dormancy period over the summer. It's crucial to avoid waterlogged conditions as crocuses are prone to rot in too-wet soil, so ensure good drainage at planting time.
Light
Crocus 'Flower Record' thrives best in full to partial sunlight. Its ideal location is a spot that receives direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day, such as a south or east-facing garden bed. While they can tolerate some shade, flowers may not be as abundant or vibrant without sufficient direct sunlight.
Temperature
Crocus 'Flower Record' can survive winter temperatures as low as 15°F and enjoys the cool conditions of its hardiness zones up to zone 8. The ideal temperature range for crocuses during their growth period is between 45°F and 65°F. Extreme heat or cold outside of these temperatures can hinder growth and flowering.
Pruning
Crocuses like Crocus 'Flower Record' do not require typical pruning. After the flowers fade, allow the foliage to remain in place; this helps the plant gather energy for the next season. Once the leaves yellow and die back naturally, usually several weeks after blooming, they can be gently removed.
Cleaning
Not needed
Soil
Crocus 'Flower Record', commonly known as the Dutch Crocus, thrives best in well-draining soil mixed with compost or organic matter. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for this plant, ensuring nutrient availability and optimal growth.
Repotting
Dutch Crocus bulbs should be planted in the ground or in pots with fresh soil every 3 to 5 years, as they are perennials that can naturalize and multiply if given the right conditions.
Humidity & Misting
Dutch Crocus are not particularly humidity sensitive and do well in average humidity levels typical of temperate climates. They do not require any specific humidity adjustments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light and cool temperatures.
- Outdoor
  Plant bulbs in autumn, full sun or partial shade.
- Hardiness zone
  3-8 USDA
Life cycle
The life of Crocus 'Flower Record', commonly known as the Flower Record Crocus, begins with a dormant corm that awakens in early spring. The corm sends up narrow, strap-like leaves and a central flower stalk, which blooms into a striking violet flower. After pollination, which is often aided by early spring insects such as bees, the flower fades and the plant directs its energy into the corm to strengthen it for the next season. As temperatures warm, the leaves photosynthesize to produce nutrients before withering in late spring, marking the end of the growth phase. During the summer dormancy period, the corm lies underground, storing energy. In autumn, the corm may multiply, and these new corms will overwinter and grow into new plants come the next spring, thus continuing the cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer to Fall
- The Crocus 'Flower Record', commonly known as the Dutch Crocus, is commonly propagated by dividing its corms. The best time for propagation is in late summer to early fall when the plant is dormant. To propagate, the corms are gently dug up and the offsets, which are the smaller corms that develop at the base of a larger corm, are carefully separated. These offsets can then be replanted immediately at a depth of about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters) to ensure they are well-covered by soil. They should be placed in well-drained soil with some exposure to sunlight to mimic their natural growing conditions. By the next spring, these offsets will have established themselves and will be ready to produce the characteristic purple flowers the following season.