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Crocus and Leeks?

 
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NorthernMonkeyGirl



Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4626
Location: Peeping over your shoulder
PostPosted: Fri Sep 08, 23 8:12 pm    Post subject: Crocus and Leeks? Reply with quote
    

Recently planted some perennial leeks (dormant over summer) and my crocus bulbs have arrived. Is there any reason I can't plant them together? Outdoors, around some fruit bushes, good sun.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46168
Location: yes
PostPosted: Sat Sep 09, 23 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

are crocii toxic to other plants around them?
they do spread, as do leeks, which will smother the other is an interesting question

i spose there is a small chance of getting a crocus rather than a leek if you know plants

i think i would keep them separate and over plant the leeks with small root annuals if those bits look bare or spare in summer

around fruit bushes will look ok and is probably compatible, but you may need to step on them to play with the bushes

Slim



Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6609
Location: New England (In the US of A)
PostPosted: Sat Sep 09, 23 1:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Crocus don't seem to cause issues with grass or clover when planted in lawns, so they must not be very active in the chemical warfare dept.
Very important to distinguish between species. Saffron and colchicum have very different effects if ingested.... (I'm guessing you're talking about common garden crocus, which are yet another species)

NorthernMonkeyGirl



Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4626
Location: Peeping over your shoulder
PostPosted: Sat Sep 09, 23 6:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Autumn / saffron crocuses (with labels and everything!) - there is another little section they can go in if they can be planted quite close together.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15932

PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 23 7:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Colchicum are autumn flowering, so are they saffron or colchicum. Saffron are used for their edible stamens, colchicum are purely ornamental I think.

Agree with the others they should be separate anyway.

Slim



Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6609
Location: New England (In the US of A)
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 23 1:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Colchicum are quite toxic

NorthernMonkeyGirl



Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4626
Location: Peeping over your shoulder
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 23 7:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Mistress Rose wrote:
Colchicum are autumn flowering, so are they saffron or colchicum. Saffron are used for their edible stamens, colchicum are purely ornamental I think.

Agree with the others they should be separate anyway.


Sorry - bad phrasing on my part. Saffron crocus, which I know flower in autumn.

I've put them in two distinct rows on the edge of the leek patch to make sure they can't get confused (and they get a bit more sun on that edge)

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46168
Location: yes
PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 23 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Colchicum are not food, they do contain some rather useful pharmaceuticals and bio active compounds.

iirc the only part of saffron that is edible is the few strands of stamens from each flower
thinking about it saffron strands are the only bit of any crocus i have seen described as food

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