Saffron (Crocus sativus) growing

**Durgan** · 11-28-2011, 05:39 PM

saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) 29 September 2011 Saffron crocus (Crocus sativus)

29 November 2011 Saffron Bulbs have started to grow. 29 November 2011 Most of the Saffron bulbs have started to grow.

One hundred bulbs of the Saffron crocus(Crocus sativus)were planted at six inch centres, and about 6 inches deep.. These are recommended hardy above Zone 6. I am on the border(Zone 5B) so decided to take a chance on them thriving, since deep ground frost is often not severe in my local area. The bed was rototilled and compost added. Mulch will be added later. The bulbs were planted inside the rabbit fence, since crocus grow early in the Spring, and one rabbit can destroy all in one night. The objective is to harvest some saffron in the Fall of 2012.

**Contrary Housewife** · 11-29-2011, 12:01 AM

Looks good. Why did you plant them so far apart?

I put mine in the week after yours, and they have been up for a couple weeks now. Had my first bloom Friday, I think it was. My first 3 strands of saffron. Got two more ready to open as soon as we get some SUN, dang it!

Will see if I can get a photo to share.

**Durgan** · 11-29-2011, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

Looks good. Why did you plant them so far apart?

I put mine in the week after yours, and they have been up for a couple weeks now. Had my first bloom Friday, I think it was. My first 3 strands of saffron. Got two more ready to open as soon as we get some SUN, dang it!

Will see if I can get a photo to share.

Blooms! I didn't even expect the bulbs to grow this year. Never entered my mind to have blooms. Thank you for mentioning it. My growing season is almost over. It has been very warm this November. Now I can now hope.

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-02-2011, 03:05 PM

Here are mine.

http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/...v-29-2011.html

The sun came out for about an hour the other day, just before sunset and the 2nd crocus opened. You can see the red stamens that I have since plucked. The other large bloom had already opened, but did not open the day I took this picture. Today we have sun and both are in full bloom.

I am waiting for the third bloom (it's the white blob in the center-right of the image) to open. It is supposed to rain this weekend so it may be another week before we get enough sun. This late, I don't think any of the others are going to bloom, though some are trying to grow flowers. On the other hand, crocus thrive even with snow on the ground.

**Durgan** · 12-02-2011, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

Here are mine.

http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/...v-29-2011.html

The sun came out for about an hour the other day, just before sunset and the 2nd crocus opened. You can see the red stamens that I have since plucked. The other large bloom had already opened, but did not open the day I took this picture. Today we have sun and both are in full bloom.

I am waiting for the third bloom (it's the white blob in the center-right of the image) to open. It is supposed to rain this weekend so it may be another week before we get enough sun. This late, I don't think any of the others are going to bloom, though some are trying to grow flowers. On the other hand, crocus thrive even with snow on the ground.

Thanks. I seldom grow anything in pots. Your saffron producing plants look look great. If my outdoor garden experiment fails, I will attempt the pot route.

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-02-2011, 05:34 PM

I used a pot only because I don't have suitable prepared ground to put them in. My soil is clay, and my bulb bed is pretty full.... but this spring I will make note of any open spots and transplant them for next fall.