Editing Crocus (section)

== Cultivation ==
[[File:Cueilleuse de safran, fresque, Akrotiri, Grèce.jpg|thumb|upright|[[History of saffron|Saffron]] gatherers in [[Minoan civilization|Minoan]] [[fresco]], [[Santorini]] c.&nbsp;1650 BC|alt=Minoan Fresco of Saffron Gatherer]]
[[File:Saffron Field.JPG|thumb|upright|Saffron fields in Iran|alt=Photograph of field of saffron crocus growing in Iran]]

=== Saffron ===
{{Main|Saffron}}

The economic importance of the genus is largely dependent on the single species, ''[[Crocus sativus]]'', now known only in cultivation.{{sfn|Janick et al|2010}} ''C. sativus'' is grown for the production of [[saffron]], an orange-red derivative of its dried [[Stigma (botany)|stigma]], and among the most expensive spices in the world.{{sfn|Petersen et al|2008}} The estimated worldwide production of ''C. sativus'' plants is 205 tons.{{sfn|Kafi et al|2018}} About 180,000 stigmas from 60,000 flowers are required to produce {{convert|1|kg|lb|1}} saffron, which sells for about US$10,000 (2018). Modern saffron production is widely cultivated in [[Kashmir]], Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan and the Mediterranean from Spain to Asia Minor.{{sfn|Kafi et al|2018}} An important center is the [[eponym]]ous town of [[Krokos]], in the Kozani region of Greece. The saffron product, Krokos Kozanis is a PDO ([[Protected designation of origin|Protected Designation of Origin]]).{{sfn|European Commission|2022}}{{sfn|Negbi|1999}} Production is largely indigenous and Iran accounts for 65% of global production, covering 72,162&nbsp;ha.{{sfn|Kafi et al|2018}}

Saffron is thought to have been used in [[embalming]] in [[Ancient Egypt]]. It is mentioned in the [[Old Testament]], in the [[Song of Songs]] as a precious spice and has featured as a dye and fragrance throughout written history, with mention in the ''[[Iliad]]''.{{sfn|Kafi et al|2018}}

Cultivation and harvesting of ''C. sativus'' for saffron was first documented in the Mediterranean, notably on the island of [[Crete]]. [[Fresco]]s showing them are found there at the [[Bronze Age]] [[Minoan civilization|Minoan]] site of [[Knossos]], as well as from the comparably aged [[Akrotiri (prehistoric city)|Akrotiri]] site on the [[Aegean Sea|Aegean]] island of [[Santorini]],{{sfn|Trakoli|2021}}{{sfn|Palyvou |2005|p=71}} and formed an important part of the Minoan economy and culture and had both a sacred role and use as a [[psychoactive drug]] and [[food additive]].{{sfn|Dewan|2015}}{{sfn|Betancourt|2007}}{{sfn|Kafi et al|2018}} Women still gather crocuses in the Akrotiri region.{{sfn|Palyvou |2005|p=17}}

=== Horticulture and floriculture ===
Crocuses were described in Turkish gardens in the early sixteenth century,{{sfn|Willes|2011|p=72}} gathered from the far reaches of the [[Ottoman Empire]],{{sfn|Willes|2011|p=169}} where they were seen by visiting European botanists and explorers, among the first of whom was [[Pierre Belon]] who arrived in Constantinople in 1547. The first crocus seen in the [[Netherlands]], where crocus species were not native, were from corms brought to Vienna in 1562 from Constantinople by the Holy Roman Emperor's ambassador to the [[Sublime Porte]], [[Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq]]. A few corms were forwarded to [[Carolus Clusius]] at the [[Hortus Botanicus Leiden|botanical garden]] in [[Leiden]].{{sfn|Harris|2022}} These were almost certainly cultivated varieties rather than wild species.{{sfn|Harvey|1976}} European visitors to Turkey continued to bring back specimens for gardens in their own country. Prominent among the latter were the gardens at [[Middelburg, Zeeland|Middelburg]] in the Netherlands. Jehan Somer, a Middelburg merchant, brought back crocuses among his other specimens in 1592, where they attracted the attention not only of Clusius but of the early Dutch flower painters, notably [[Ambrosius Bosschaert]].{{sfn|Willes|2011|p=87}}{{sfn|Goldgar|2008|p=22}} By 1620, new garden varieties had been developed, and featured in contemporary illustrations, such as that of [[Van de Passe family|Crispijn van de Passe]] in his ''Hortus floridus'' of 1614.{{sfn|Willes|2011|p=87}} There are accounts of crocus gardens in the seventeenth century, such as the Saffron Garth of Walter Stonehouse at [[Darfield, South Yorkshire|Darfield]], Yorkshire.{{sfn|Willes|2011|p=204}}

Crocuses are among the most important [[Ornamental plant|ornamental]] [[geophytes]] in the global flower industry,{{sfn|Kamenetsky|Okubo|2012|p=xv}} ranking sixth in terms of Dutch bulb production (2003–2008) with 463–668&nbsp;[[hectare|ha]] under cultivation.{{sfn|De Hertogh et al|2012|p=2}} The crocus is one of the most popular flowers found in the garden in the late winter and early spring.{{sfn|Harris|2022}} About 30 of the species are cultivated, among the most popular being ''C. chrysanthus, C. flavus, C. sieberi, C. tommasinianus and C. vernus'', together with hundreds of cultivars derived from them.{{sfn|Harris|2022}}{{sfn|Kafi et al|2018}} Both fall and spring blooming crocuses are cultivated for their flowers.{{sfn|Viette et al|2015}} Among the first flowers to bloom in spring, their flowering time can vary from fall to the late winter blooming ''C. tommasinianus''; the earliest fall blooming species, ''C. scharojanii'', may flower during the last weeks of July.{{sfn|Ruksans|2011|p=68}}

The varieties cultivated for decoration in gardens and pots mainly represent six species: ''C. vernus'', ''C. chrysanthus'', ''C. flavus'', ''C. sieberi'', ''C. speciosus'' and ''C.&nbsp;tommasinianus''. During the horticulture production year 2009/2010, more than 70 cultivars were grown in Holland, covering an area of 366 [[hectare]]s; the most common ones were 'Flower Record' and 'King of the Stripes' which accounted for 42 hectares, other species grown included ''C. chrysanthus'', ''C. tommasinianus'', and ''C. flavus'' - all are spring blooming plants.{{sfn|De Hertogh et al|2012|p=81}} But the most commonly grown plants are the Dutch hybrids with large flowers in a rich palette of colors.{{sfn|Bush-Brown et al|1996}}

Both sexual and asexual means are used to increase the number of plants; seeds and multiplication of corms are the most common means of production, but [[Plant tissue culture|tissue culture]] can be used,{{sfn|Rana|2021}} most commonly for saffron crocus. New corms are formed on top of the older corm which withers away, and cormels are produced from axillary buds.{{sfn|De Hertogh et al|2012|p=81}} The production of new plants begins with harvested corms in late June to early July, after being graded by corm size the corms are stored around 22 Celsius until early October when they are moved to 17 Celsius until planted later in October and November; flowering occurs in March and the flowers are not removed. Crocuses are also forced to produce flowering plants out of season and the most common species used are ''C. vernus'' and ''C. flavus'', and most of the corms used for forcing come from the Netherlands.{{sfn|De Hertogh|1992}}

Spring flowering types are planted in fall, while fall-blooming types in late summer; typically, the corms are placed 3 to 4 inches deep in well-draining soil in areas with full sun exposure. They do not thrive in heavy clay soils or those that are damp, especially during their summer dormancy period.{{sfn|Tenenbaum|2003}} Commercial crops are produced on raised beds and slopes, to ensure adequate drainage, while horticulturalists often plant on sand beds for the same purpose.{{sfn|Ruksans|2011|p=20}} Spring flowering types also do well in areas with deciduous trees, where they flower and produce leaves before the trees completely leaf-out. Crocuses are grown in USDA winter zones 3–8.{{sfn|Burrell|Hardiman|2002}}  Not all species are hardy in the upper zones; ''C. sativus'' is winter hardy in USDA zones 6 through 8, and ''C. pulchellus'' is hardy in zones 5 through 8.{{sfn|Hill|Hill|2012}}

Some are suitable for naturalizing in grass, but mowing off the foliage before it turns yellow produces short lived plants. Some crocuses, especially ''C. tommasinianus'' and its selected forms and hybrids (such as 'Whitewell Purple' and 'Ruby Giant'), seed prolifically and are ideal for naturalizing. They can, however, become weeds in [[rock garden]]s, where they will often appear in the middle of choice, mat-forming alpine plants, and can be difficult to remove. Crocus flowers and leaves are protected from frost by a waxy cuticle; in areas where snow and frost occasionally occur in the early spring, it is not uncommon to see early flowering crocuses blooming through a light late snowfall.{{sfn|Ruksans|2011|p=17}}

<gallery>
image:Large flowering of purple crocuses.jpg|Field of flowering purple crocuses
image:CrocusEABowles.jpg|''Crocus'' 'E.A. Bowles',  <br /> a ''C. chrysanthus'' hybrid
Image:Frühlingsblumen Krokus.jpg|Crocus [[cultivars]]
File:Krokusse violett.jpg|Purple crocuses with closed flowers
File:Krokusse im Schnee.jpg|Crocuses appearing through the snow
</gallery>

===Autumn crocus===
Autumn-flowering species of crocus that are [[Horticulture|cultivated]] include:{{sfn|Jelitto et al|1990}}
{|
|- valign=top
| 
*''[[Crocus banaticus|C. banaticus]]'' (syn. ''C. iridiflorus'') zones 4-8
*''[[Crocus cancellatus|C. cancellatus]]'' zones 6-7
*''[[Crocus cartwrightianus|C. cartwrightianus]]'' zone 8
*''[[Crocus goulimyi|C. goulimyi]]'' zone 7-8
*''[[Crocus hadriaticus|C. hadriaticus]]'' zone 8
*''[[Crocus kotschyanus|C. kotschyanus]]'' (syn. ''C. zonatus'') zones 5-8
|
*''[[Crocus laevigatus|C. laevigatus]]'' zones 8-9 
*''[[Crocus ligusticus|C. ligusticus]]'' (syn. ''C. medius'' ) zone 5-6
*''[[Crocus longiflorus|C. longiflorus]]''  zones 6-7 
*''[[Crocus niveus|C. niveus]]'' zones 6-8
*''[[Crocus nudiflorus|C. nudiflorus]]'' zones 5-8 
*''[[Crocus ochroleucus|C. ochroleucus]]'' zones 6-8
| 
*''[[Crocus pulchellus|C. pulchellus]]'' zones 6-8
*''[[Crocus sativus|C. sativus]]'' (saffron crocus) zones 5-8
*''[[Crocus scharojanii|C. scharojanii]]''  zones 6-8
*''[[Crocus serotinus|C. serotinus]]'' zones 6-8
*''[[Crocus speciosus|C. speciosus]]'' zones 3-8
*''[[Crocus tournefortii|C. tournefortii]]'' zone 8
*''[[Crocus vallicola|C. vallicola]]''
|}

''C. laevigatus'' has a long flowering period which starts in late autumn or early winter and may continue into February.

''[[Colchicum autumnale]]'' is commonly known as "autumn crocus", but is a member of the plant family [[Colchicaceae]], and not a true crocus (of the family Iridaceae).<!--Source in section Similarly named species-->