How to Grow Saffron Crocus

Most of us are familiar with saffron, which is one of the most expensive spices in the world. This spice is derived from the flowers of the plant saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), a species of the genus Crocus and family Iridaceae. This plant is native to Southwest Asia. The flower of this plant has three stigmas and these stigmas along with the styles are dried and used as spice, which is known as saffron. Even though most of the species of the genus Crocus are famous for being the first plants to bloom in autumn, saffron crocus can produce flowers throughout this season, when other plants stop blooming. So, growing saffron can be beneficial in two ways - as a fall-blooming plant and as an inexpensive source of the spice, saffron.

Tips to Grow Saffron Crocus

This plant is propagated through bulbs or corms, which produce long, slender dark green leaves and lilac purple flowers with darker veining. The stigma (three in number) of these flowers are bright red to orangish in color and are harvested and dried to form the expensive spice called saffron. Growing saffron crocus is not a difficult task, if you know the right techniques.

• Now you know that in order to grow saffron crocus, you have to obtain bulbs or corms of the plant. The planting season is late spring to early summer. You can purchase the corms from nurseries or from online suppliers. The bulbs should be the size of healthy garlic cloves.
• Once you purchase the seeds, prepare the soil for planting them. As they need rich soil, you can add some organic material like compost, leaves or grass clippings to the soil, which is meant for planting saffron crocus.
• This plant needs full sun and well-drained soil for growing. So, the location for planting them must provide them full sun and protect them from wind. It should not be planted under a downspout or any other place, that stays wet.
• The next step is to plant the corms. Plant them in holes which are four inches in depth and make sure that the holes are at least four to six inches apart. You have to cover the location with mesh enclosure, if the place is frequented by gophers and varmints, who like to feed on these corms. The corms have to be planted with their roots facing downwards.
• Try to keep the soil dry in summer, as saffron crocus is dormant during this time. During fall, flowers and leaves develop from the corm and during this period, you have to water these plants more frequently (but, the soil should not get soggy).
• The blooms last for around four weeks and during this period, you should not allow the soil to get dry. You can also go for a single application of liquid fertilizer.
• You have to continue watering till the leaves are green. The leaves will wither with the onset of spring.
• Dig out the corms during cold climates and store them in plastic bags along with peat moss in a cool, dark place. You can plant these corms again during the late spring.

You can also harvest the stigmas as soon as the blooms open. Dry these stigmas in sunlight and store in an airtight container. You can grow saffron crocus as an inexpensive source of saffron and at the same time, enhance the looks of your flower garden with the beautiful blooms of this plant.