Can you tell me when I can cut my grass because I have crocus bulbs in the lawn and the flowers have just died back, but the leaves have not.
It is usually better to wait for the foliage to die down before mowing or cutting, as the plant bulbs require this to produce energy for next season's flower growth. But, if the grass gets too tall, it should be ok to do so at a taller height to allow for some of the foliage to remain on the crocus plants.
I transplanted crocuses last year. The green leaves have come up and are getting quite large but the flowers won't. Is this common in the first year after transplanting? What should I do to promote flower bloom?
I would try giving it some phosphorous. Bone meal is a good source of this. Phosphorous is needed in order for plants to bloom and they may be lacking this.
My daughter is getting married on Jan. 27 next year. We would like to have containers with purple and white/ivory colored crocus to decorate the church windowsills. I would like to know what would be the best time to plant the bulbs, how to look after them and which variety of crocus you would suggest. Also, would you be able to suggest any other purple flowers which may be suitable for this purpose?
It is almost impossible for a home grower to get bulbs to bloom on cue. You have to be able to tightly control the environment. We normally recommend that home growers who would like to have plants blooming for a special date plan on planting in waves over the course of a month so that you can guarantee that a certain portion of the bulbs will be blooming at the right time. This article will explain how to grow them for forcing: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/crocus/growing-crocus-indoors.htm Once they are removed from chilling, they will bloom in 3-6 weeks.
We have about 200 crocuses in our front lawn. Every year they come up early spring, usually poking their heads through the snow. This year, they came up, but only a few had flowers. The rest just came up as foliage. What could cause this?
Too much nitrogen or too little phosphorous can cause this. Use a balanced fertilizer on your lawn rather than the normal high nitrogen fertilizer recommend for lawns. This should help balance it back out.
I dig my fall crocus up, split and replant every two years. I plant them 4-6 inches deep. I notice every second year the bulbs, which have grown to baseball size, are protruding out of the ground. Did I not plant them deep enough two years earlier or are they telling me it's time to dig and split them? Also, when is the best time to split them? I have done it both after the foliage dies back in June and after they bloom in Sept., doesn't seem to make much difference.
This article has some interesting information on autumn crocus. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/crocus/autumn-crocus-growing.htm
The corms' protruding out of the ground is telling you it's time to divide and conquer.
Could you tell me the names of any crocus, tulips and daffodils that will naturalize?
All types will naturalize, though with tulips and some daffodils, you may want to look for heirloom varieties. For more information on naturalizing bulbs, this article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/bgen/naturalizing-flower-bulbs.htm
I planted about 20 crocus sativus bulbs two years back in two big pots. Last year I got lot of spiky leaves but no flowers. I kept them dry throughout summer and then this year I got spiky leaves also, but only two flowers. Can you please tell me what I am missing? Thanks for your help.
I would try giving the plants some phosphorous. Bone meal is a good source of this. Phosphorous is needed in order for plants to bloom and being in pots, they may be lacking this.