I just planted some this year form seed and right now they are in the bud stage.
Kathi

I can't figure these guys out, but I like them. I received some in a trade last fall-ish. I planted them upon arrival and they bloomed for me in (!) December. Profusely. I didn't cut the foliage back when they finished; I just cut off the spent flower stems. I just noticed yesterday that I have one bud again! Hopefully they'll come around and get on a regular schedule, lol!

Amanda 'romando'

Interesting. So, should I chuck them out since they have spider mites this year, or just cut back the bad foliage and hope for better luck next year? I agree, I think they are so beautiful.
Patti, what do you mean by shovel prune? We definitely had a bad dry spell (Although here in Virginia, the past few weeks have brought torrents of rain!) so I think the mites really got going in that spell. I have read various things about mitecides-that they really don't work and the best solution to get rid of the mites is a strong blast of water. I try to keep everything organic and not use pesticides, but I wonder if maybe that means I just can't have crocosmia! I think next year I have to get on the mites earlier maybe?

My red crocosmia (probably lucifer) has bloomed already, but my other ones aren't even thinking about it yet :)

Lisa

I feel the same way, Amanda. I just can't figure out how to make this plant happy.

My crocosmia has disappeared! Bloomed its little heart out for me last year, and this year didn't come back. Our drought conditions haven't helped, but this variety is a TX native, which made me think it would have a fighting chance.

Marilyn

Lisa,
In the past, when has your other crocosmia bloomed?
I don't even see a sign of a bloom.

I don't really remember for sure, but I'm not really expecting anything for probably a month. Are they increasing? I wouldn't worry about them too much if they have been.

Lisa

3OBs,
Shovel prune is the techincal term in gardening for giving your plant the old "heave-ho" into the rubbish barrel. :-)

YES, you're right about getting on the spider mites EARLY. They are real devils and can really cause a lot of destruction if not checked. That's why when the infestation is severe (and I only assumed that because you said you thought they were the reason that some of your crososmia didn't bloom) you really are better off getting rid of the plants before they infest the rest of your garden. You are also correct about the blast of water being effective (works well for aphids too), but probably not if you have a major infestation. Lady bugs love them, but they're not too interested in hanging around for a meal until you have a million spidermites and by then the damage to your plants is done. You probably have nothing to lose by trying several remedys to see if you can save the plants, but do keep a close eye on the rest of the garden to make sure they aren't taking over the joint.
Also, I'd keep 'Lucifer' if he's fending them off pretty well. He's such a show-off!

By the way,
I just checked my garden notes from last year and my 'Emberglow' crocosmia didn't bloom until July 20th.

Best of luck,
Patti

I have Babylon and see no sign of buds yet. I bought it in August, last year, and it was in bloom then.

Patti
Thanks so much for all your help. I don't see too many mites on them now- just lots of damage. I will keep checking though. The plants around them seem to be doing okay, except I think they have also attacked my gladiolus- they seem to like that long foliage.
I don't have the heart to chuck them yet, but I will keep a close eye on them and hopefully the spider mites won't take over. My clematis was COVERED in aphids earlier in the year, and the lady bugs single handedly wiped those out. Unfortunately, they didn't seem to get on the spider mites until recently. I'll know to do preventative water blasting next year.

I started a 'lucifer' from seed last year and it is still tiny. I planted 6 'emily mckenzie' bulbs a couple of months ago and I am just now seeing them come up. I bought 'george davidson' at Wally World last week in a gallon container, but no buds on it! They have one more left and I am thinking of going to buy it tomorrow! Are these generally a later blooming plant?

They like to be dug and replanted every couple of years. These were planted last December.

Hummingbirds and butterflies like them.
Nell

I planted crocosmia bulbs in the spring, and still no sign of any of them. Glad to know I'm not the only one they're being tempermental for.

My orange crocosmia bloomed after the Lucifer were finished. They are about done now too. I always just yank them all up and still get a bountiful amount the next year.

nell-must you rub it in? hahaha. Gorgeous

Threeorange- I finally found mine. that;s about all i have to report. haha

I have orange crocosmia that have been blooming for a while now. Every morning when I see them I think how good they make me feel. I wish I knew the name of them. I planted them before I knew I should keep track of the name. I discovered a yellow one on this side of the garden. I don't know where it came from. The orange crocosmia don't seem to be all growing straight. The stems are crossed or fallen down. Do y'all think the bulbs being disturbed by workers using tractors made 'em do that? I notice Nell's crocosmias all seem like they are leaning toward the sun. I love 'em anyway! And I love the idea that they're multiplying.
Judie

A week later, I have tons of buds... I guess it's working its way into a proper bloom time... LOL
Amanda 'romando'

July 14th, my first bud of the year opened today - coastal Washington State.
They are the orange with yellow throat.
I should have put them in a sunnier spot, thinking of moving them this Fall.
GH-