Re: Crocus ochroleucas (ochroleucus?)

At 08:51 PM 12/8/98 -0800, Richard Starkeson wrote:
>Living in Berkeley, California, and being new to growing bulbs - I have
>a question about these.
>
>The plant coming from somewhere in the mediterranean, but not sure
>where, I was wondering about their native climate, and what they would
>need here (where it hardly ever freezes).  Planted about 6 weeks ago,
>they just finished flowering, and are sending up strong green shoots.
>Are they used to (do they need) a freezing cold period at this point?
>In their native habitat, do they grow in the wintertime like this?  We
>probably get our coldest weather in January-February, when there can be
>nights ijn the thirties-forties Fahrenheit.  If they don't get a freeze,
>and they are used to it, how will this affect next fall's bloom?  Should
>they get put in the fridge for a while?  Any information would be
>appreciated.

Hi Richard - 

Glad to see you participating in the group.

Here is some information I have found:

Crocus ochroleucus appears to be endemic to Israel, Syria & Lebanon.
These are mediterranean climate areas and would only infrequently be
'snowed in'.

The December 1987 issue of the Friends of the NCSU Arboretum Newsletter
mentions: ". . .the tiny, white-flowered Crocus ochroleucus is bravely
making its lone stand at the front of the lathhouse with a barrage of
flowers"

from Winter Blossoms From the Outdoor Garden by A.W. Darnell, 1925:
"This elegant little crocus was discovered in the anti-Lebanon and
introduced into this country (UK) in 1861, and is now both plentiful &
cheap.  The corm is about 1in. across, of a pale brown, and the leaves
at flwoering time look like bunches of pine needles protruding from
their semi-transparent sheaths when the blossoms are in perfection.
The foliage reaches a length of 6 or 9 inches later.  A corm
produces 1 or 2 dainty, but rather small creamy white blossoms with
a yellow throat.  It blossoms in October to the end of December
and should be given a very sunny spot in warm sandy soil.  Offsets."

Here is what McClure & Zimmerman, Wisconsin, says about this species:
C. ochroleucus -
"Delicate, thin-textured, creamy-white flowers appear quite late in
the season, often as late as November, and we advise protection from
inclement weather (this statement is for eastern and northern areas).
Easy to grow in any well-drained soil where the corms can remain
reasonably dry during dormancy (this is the key statement for those
in mediterranean climates).  [Ht: 3", Zones: 5 to 9]"


Looks like your little Crocus knows exactly what it is doing.  As
long as it is situated appropriately (sunny, sandy soil), I'd leave
it be and am sure that it'll grow just fine over the winter.

Sean O.
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