Crocus pots and their use
Crocuses - like hyacinths and tulips have also probably been forced for centuries. Most likely on pots with soil and on small crocus vases filled with water. Hardly any information can be found about how long the forcing on the typical crocus pots with the holes on the sides has been practised. Forcing crocuses on these types of pots, looks however much nicer when one can watch the shoots growing out of the holes.

The process of forcing is simple. The bulbs are planted on a good potting or garden soil. Pots with a drainage hole like most French crocus pots have, can also be planted in the garden. Start with putting some soil in the pot to obtain enough support for the bulbs to be placed in front of the holes. The young shoots should of course stick out of the holes. Fill up the pot with soil completely and plant also some bulbs in the top opening of the pot. The bulbs (corms) can be forced after a cold period of about 13 - 15 weeks. Before bringing the pots in from the cold, the sprout length should be no longer than about 5 cms (2 in). The temperature during this cold period should not be much higher than 9ºC (48ºF). Further there are many similarities with the forcing of hyacinths (for more information about culture, see chapter: forcing hyacinths on vases ). Beware of mice! Crocuses are even more appreciated on the menu of these little animals than tulips, whereas luckily, daffodils and hyacinths are not at all popular with them. Best for forcing are the big flowering white, blue and striped varieties, which can be used for flowering from January. The yellow crocus is more difficult to force and is best used a month later.

Different crocus pots; some with forced big flowering crocuses. The two vases are ruby red footed French hyacinth vases.

Antique French footed crocus pots with forced large flowering crocuses in different colours.

A big bulb pot planted with large flowering crocuses and narcissus (= daffodil) Tête à Tête. The three pictures show crocuses starting to flower, a week later both crocuses and daffodils show their flowers and in the third week crocuses are withered and only the Tête à Tête daffodils are flowering. Altogether four weeks of spring in winter!

Different types of crocus pots from various countries. The pots are shown here in old daffodil boxes, painted white.

Antique French footed crocus pot with forced big flowering crocuses in different colours.

A 'hanging' crocus pot from Holland signed: Ravenstein.

Production field of crocuses near the town of Lisse, Holland.

Left: a crocus pot from France in a wooden shoe design, signed: GG. Centre: a footed crocus pot from France. Right: a crocus pot from England (Devon, signature not clear).

An elegant crocus pot in the shape of a swan bought in Britain. In the back: Rimac crocus pots from Holland.

Three old crocus pots made in Holland.

Three crocus pots from France. Left signed: Greber France.

Three crocus pots from France. Centre: a footed crocus pot. Crocus pot right: signed: Greber France.

Three footed crocus pots from France, 2nd from right: crocus pot from France signed: Jean Garillon.

Footed crocus pot from St Uze, France. Right and left two Rimac crocus pots from Holland.

Four footed blue crocus pots from France.