The way crocosmia spreads is something quite amazing. I planted a small patch of 10 bulbs 3 years and which have spread quite considerably. My soil is light so it's perfect for it. I wanted to know how it spread so easily and what I discovered is that its not the corms that multiply (initially), but it send out tendrils several inches from the main corm, from which it then throws up some leaves, before moving the tendril on some more, before sending up more leaves Where the little plant is then it grows a corm, and that also starts sending out tendrils in the soil. Before you know it, you're over run! I've now got crocosmia which are 2/3 feet away from where I initially planted the original bulbs. I don't mind, because they are one of my favourite plants
You're right Verd and Tim about checking the conditions for what you're planting. The common crocosmia grows like a weed up here (in damp clay soil) but I just dig it out if it's a nuisance. I had Lucifer at last house and it was really stunning- I loved it. I still like the common one but it's just a case of being vigilant.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My garden and yard have been taken over by Montbretia, too. My husband threw a clump of dug-up bulbs in a pile of sticks he had stacked up on the side of the house, and those things *still* managed to grow and bloom! If you ever want to get revenge on someone, just drive by their house at night and throw some crocosmia and English Ivy in their yard. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
I am afraid it is very persistent and what ever you do it will always find away back.So its dig up as much as you can and put the corms in the green bin.This plant has already escaped into the countryside and like the day of triffids its a big problem unless kept in check.
I'm really concerned about using glyphosate on the crocosmia which is coming through a layer of weed membrane and gravel. We have hedgehogs, grass snakes and many birds - will they be harmed by glyophosate?
As chemicals and poisons go Glyphosate is one of the safer ones. It doesn't kill animals. None of the animals you mention will be eating crocosmia anyway. Glyphosate doesn't affect the soil
i'm afraid that glyphosate, like any opther garden chemical, does have a long term effect on the environment. Just because it becomes inert on contact with teh soil and only kills the plants with whose green parts it has been in contact doesn't mean it isn't getting into water ways and water tables or being ingested by other organisms, including humans.
I know of scientists conducting environmental research on behalf of the EU and who say it is likely to be banned in the not too distant future.
There are others who have found high levels of glyphosate in processed sugars, corn and wheat and who believe it is affecting beneficial bacteria in the human gut and thus leading to an increase in digestive problems such as Crohn's disease, IBS and even obesity tendencies - http://www.naturalnews.com/040482_glyphosate_Monsanto_detoxification.html.
I personally never buy any Monsanto products but I do use other glyphosate products where no other conventional weeding techniques work. I would advise its use but with great care, especially near water courses and do not exceed the recommended doses. Adding a drop or two of washing up liquid to the mix helps it stay on the plants you want to kill and do its work better.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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The way crocosmia spreads is something quite amazing. I planted a small patch of 10 bulbs 3 years and which have spread quite considerably. My soil is light so it's perfect for it. I wanted to know how it spread so easily and what I discovered is that its not the corms that multiply (initially), but it send out tendrils several inches from the main corm, from which it then throws up some leaves, before moving the tendril on some more, before sending up more leaves Where the little plant is then it grows a corm, and that also starts sending out tendrils in the soil. Before you know it, you're over run! I've now got crocosmia which are 2/3 feet away from where I initially planted the original bulbs. I don't mind, because they are one of my favourite plants
You're right Verd and Tim about checking the conditions for what you're planting. The common crocosmia grows like a weed up here (in damp clay soil) but I just dig it out if it's a nuisance. I had Lucifer at last house and it was really stunning- I loved it. I still like the common one but it's just a case of being vigilant.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My garden and yard have been taken over by Montbretia, too. My husband threw a clump of dug-up bulbs in a pile of sticks he had stacked up on the side of the house, and those things *still* managed to grow and bloom! If you ever want to get revenge on someone, just drive by their house at night and throw some crocosmia and English Ivy in their yard. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
I am afraid it is very persistent and what ever you do it will always find away back.So its dig up as much as you can and put the corms in the green bin.This plant has already escaped into the countryside and like the day of triffids its a big problem unless kept in check.
I'm really concerned about using glyphosate on the crocosmia which is coming through a layer of weed membrane and gravel. We have hedgehogs, grass snakes and many birds - will they be harmed by glyophosate?
As chemicals and poisons go Glyphosate is one of the safer ones. It doesn't kill animals. None of the animals you mention will be eating crocosmia anyway. Glyphosate doesn't affect the soil
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thanks, but I'm concerned at them brushing against it...
That isn't a problem jmeds. Once it's dry it doesn't affect anything. Choose a good warm day, and it will be dry very quickly.
In the sticks near Peterborough
i'm afraid that glyphosate, like any opther garden chemical, does have a long term effect on the environment. Just because it becomes inert on contact with teh soil and only kills the plants with whose green parts it has been in contact doesn't mean it isn't getting into water ways and water tables or being ingested by other organisms, including humans.
I know of scientists conducting environmental research on behalf of the EU and who say it is likely to be banned in the not too distant future.
There are others who have found high levels of glyphosate in processed sugars, corn and wheat and who believe it is affecting beneficial bacteria in the human gut and thus leading to an increase in digestive problems such as Crohn's disease, IBS and even obesity tendencies - http://www.naturalnews.com/040482_glyphosate_Monsanto_detoxification.html.
I personally never buy any Monsanto products but I do use other glyphosate products where no other conventional weeding techniques work. I would advise its use but with great care, especially near water courses and do not exceed the recommended doses. Adding a drop or two of washing up liquid to the mix helps it stay on the plants you want to kill and do its work better.