Latest you can plant Crocus?

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by Shaneoak, Oct 17, 2021.

  1. Shaneoak

    Shaneoak Gardener

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    Hello All- hope you’re well….

    wanted to ask what’s the latest you can plant Crocus ?( in Leeds)

    Thryre a bit pricey at the moment , especially the £5 delivery charge added on. Some of the white, blue etc varityes are 7 pounds for 12 crocus etc ! But even the standard Yellow are expensive. £38 for 50 !

    I found that they’re cheaper on sale around mid November time , so was thinking of ordering 200 then …. but is it too late for planting them?

    If anyone knows of value for money sites selling crocus , I’d be greaful,

    Thanks
     
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      I think it's cheaper to just try going in B&Q or somewhere similar and see what they have got.
      Online stuff always rips you off regarding delivery.
       
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      • gks

        gks Total Gardener

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        Personally, I think you are leaving it to late to get them cheaper. In the past I would agree, but last year and this year we have sold out of bulbs, we actually only have tulip bulbs left.

        Crocus bulbs will vary in price 6/7 bulbs will be cheaper than the larger 8/9 bulbs. I personally would be looking to purchase and plant them now, I wouldn't leave it much later.

        I buy my bulbs in bulk direct from Holland but I also use a company in the UK if I am short or struggling to get hold of certain bulbs. This is a link to their site, you will see they are already out of stock of many bulbs, they still have some mixed colour crocus bulbs left.

        Crocus Bulbs | Buy Online at Wholesale Prices | Boston Bulbs (bostonbulbswholesale.co.uk)
         
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        • Michael Hewett

          Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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          I planted them in November one year and they all came up and gave a lovely show. They were the small early flowering ones.
          And because it was raining at the time I just scraped a light trench in the ground, scattered them all in from the bag and covered them over, then hoped for the best, and they wouldn't have looked any better if I had planted them 'properly'
           
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          • Selleri

            Selleri Koala

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            Crocus are fully hardy, it doesn't really matter when you plant them in the long run. If you are after a specific flowering time display in a container or in ground. now, or not later than mid- November will give the bulbs enough time to root well.

            Supermarkets and Wilkos' have very cheap leftover bulbs on offer if you are not after a specific variety. :) Hunt around.
             
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            • HarryS

              HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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              • groundbeetle

                groundbeetle Gardener

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                Poundland usually have crocus bulbs, I have kept some packaging for a packet of 10 that I planted.
                 
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                  Last edited: Oct 19, 2021
                • HarryS

                  HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                  Forgot about the pound shops. The other discount stores like B and M , and Home bargains etc. May also stock them about now.
                   
                • gks

                  gks Total Gardener

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                  The likes of the discount stores do tend to sell bulbs cheaper than a G/C, they have a bigger buying power than an independent G/C.

                  What you tend to notice with a G/C is the bulbs tend to be larger. If I was to stock the same bulbs you could purchase in the likes of the pound shops or discount stores etc etc, then I would struggle to sell any.

                  A good online seller will not only just have planting instructions they will state the size of the bulbs. As the link I provided above, the cheaper crocus bulbs are smaller in size, the difference is very noticeable.

                  crocus.jpg Bulb_Size_2021_UK-2.jpg
                   
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                  • groundbeetle

                    groundbeetle Gardener

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                    Marks and Spencers are selling Prince Claus crocus bulbs at 20 for £4 or two packets (40) for £6. They look very pretty on the packet.

                    That works out at not much more expensive than Poundland, whose normal price is 10 for £1. Our local Poundland hasn't got any bulbs at all right now, but they had a few weeks ago. Their whole gardening aisle is taken over by Halloween stuff.

                    I haven't bought bulbs from gardening centres, online or offline, so I don't know how the quality compares.
                     
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                    • Loofah

                      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                      I bought some prins Claus bulbs online for the front lawn and they were good value and decent sized. Think it was 100 for 13 pounds.
                      Really looking forward to seeing them in the spring!
                       
                    • fairygirl

                      fairygirl Gardener

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                      My friend has used a site called Gardener's Dream. They seem to be good.
                      The prices you're quoting seem terribly expensive Shaneoak. I've bought crocus from Peter Nyssen and Avon and they're quite inexpensive.
                       
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                      • Selleri

                        Selleri Koala

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                        Very true. Cheap bulbs tend to be smaller and may not give a good display (or any display) the first year. It might take 1-3 years to get the same effect as you would from a big size bulbs.

                        However, if one is not in a hurry, the small ones are an economical way for a mass planting.

                        J Parkers are great in giving the bulb size details and on what to expect.
                         
                      • Shaneoak

                        Shaneoak Gardener

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                        Thank you. I managed to get a good deal in end after some of the tips here:)
                         
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                        • HarryS

                          HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                          Just get them planted anytime in November Shane and they will be fine. Lovely very early flower the Crocus.
                           
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