Saffron is a pricy spice harvested from a downslope - flowering crocus . Learn how to grow it to glean your own saffron .
Saffron , the world ’s most expensive spice , comes from the saffron crocus(Crocus sativus),a fall - bloom crocus with purple bloom . While growing the crocus itself is not difficult , Crocus sativus production takes a lot of heyday . To produce 1 tablespoon of orange yellow , you need the efflorescence parts ( the stigmas ) of 50 to 60 crocuses .
irrespective of how much saffron you eventually reap , with their lovely fall blooms , the crocuses are a pretty former - time of year addition to any landscape . Unlikespring - blooming crocus , you do n’t have to wait long for the flowers . Saffron crocus is implant in late summer and blooms six to eight week after institute . It procreate over fourth dimension and pay back you with more flush each class .
Credit:fotolinchen / Getty Images
fotolinchen / Getty Images
The similar - looking autumn crocus(Colchicum autumnale)should not be confused with the saffron crocus . fall crocus is highly toxic to humans and pets . It is leafless with star - shaped , lavender - pink to lilac - pinkish flowers .
Where to Plant Saffron Crocus
Saffron crocus is hardy inUSDA Hardiness zone 5 - 9 . Plant it in full sun and well - drain or sandy land . Tuck single corm intolow groundcover(which might hold in them from squirrel and chipmunks ) or give Crocus sativus crocuses their own garden bottom .
It is possible to farm saffron crocus in containers , although it ’s not idealistic . The corms are insufficiently insulated against temperature fluctuation , especially if the container is little .
Saffron crocus corms come in several sizes free-base on the circumference of the corm in centimeters :
While the flowering rate increase in the following year for all size , start with at least a corm size 9/10 .
How and When to Grow Saffron Crocus
Late summer to early autumn is the planting clip for saffron crocus , which has a satisfyingly short turnabout metre ; plant it in August or early September and harvest it in October . For one tablespoon of saffron , you ’ll involve to constitute about 50 crocus corms .
Before planting , amend the soil with an organic fertiliser orbone meal . Plant the saffron corms with the pointed oddment up . The matted ending usually has some dried roots , which helps show you the way . If you ca n’t limit which closing should go up , set the corm on its side ; the plant will figure out which way to produce .
Either dig a 3 - column inch trench or use a narrow trowel to dig single hole about 3 inch deep . outer space the corm 3 to 4 inches aside to assure enough air flow and room to grow . Nestle the corm in the hole or deep and cover it with enough grease to make it even out with the besiege region . Press down on the soil unwaveringly , and then water well .
If the freshly imbed field dip down and forms a basin after watering , tote up more soil to match the soil horizontal surface nearby ; otherwise , water supply may pool and rot the corm .
Saffron Crocus Care Tips
Whether you want to grow saffron crocus for their flowers or to harvest as a spiciness , they need the following growing conditions and care to thrive .
Light
Saffron crocusdoes best in full sun . This can be a location that is partially shaded by deciduous tree during the summertime when saffron crocus crocuses are abeyant but then provides full sun when the Tree overlook their leave of absence .
Soil and Water
Saffron does well in sandy or loamysoils that are well - drainingand around a impersonal pH of 7 . Water the corms immediately after found them so they sprout . After planting , they involve only a half - inch of water per week for the repose of the growing time of year . During their summer dormant point , there is no want to water saffron crocus .
Temperature and Humidity
orange yellow crocus grows in a range of temperatures from 50 ° F to 90 ° atomic number 9 , but favor conditions in the seventy . They stand lower temperature for short periods , but if your winters are too dusty for the corm , dig them up after the crepuscule bloom and transplant them to containers to overwinter in a sheltered area .
This works struggles in a humid mood , which affect Crocus sativus quality . The best humidness orbit for saffron crocus corm is 40–50 percent .
Fertilizer
When planted , the corm keep sufficient nutrient to bloom , but the plants may benefit from being fertilise once a class to support flower development . In other bounce , sprinkle ahigh - daystar fertiliser , such as 5 - 10 - 5 , around the pedestal of the industrial plant , fall out the recording label directions for amounts .
Potting and Repotting Saffron Crocus
While it is possible to grow saffron crocus in container , and it ’s done much the same way as in the garden ( 2 to 3 column inch bass in well - drain potting mix , space 3 inches aside ) , you ’ll need a with child container for two cause . It takes a mint of crocuses to bring out a small amount of saffron crocus , and the corm are insufficiently insulated against warmth and cold when planted in container .
If you only want a few works to enjoy their flush indoors , plant them in the fall and keep the container at about 70 ° F . The flowers will blossom six to eight calendar week by and by . After the foliage die back , toss out the corms and start tonic with new corms rather than set about to overwinter the ones that have already bloomed indoors .
Pests and Problems
grow saffron crocus is not without its challenge . chipmunk and squirrels lay a job in the crepuscle , while mouse , mole , field mouse , andrabbits feed on the foliageand corm during wintertime . During the growing season , the saffron mite is have intercourse for attacking damaged corm .
At the death of the saffron season , thrip may lay their eggsin the leaves , causing unattractive post on the leaves , but otherwise , it does n’t affect the harvest . Corm rot and root bunkum can usually be prevented by lacrimation sparingly and planting in well - drained soil .
How to Propagate Saffron Crocus
saffron crocus crocuses are propagated by division . If your grow conditions are suitable , after about five years , they will have multiplied sufficiently to be divide .
In July or August , while the plant are dormant , dig up the corm and replant them like a shot in a new location at the same depth , or store them in a cool , ironical position until planting in former summertime or former fall .
Types of Saffron Crocus
The Crocus sativus crocus corms sold in the United States are not differentiated by cultivar . Pennsylvania has historically produced Crocus sativus crocuses , but mostCrocus sativuscorms are sourced from other countries , such as Spain , India , or Greece . When give away for corms , you may — or may not — see a country designation .
Harvesting Saffron
During the two - week bloom of the lilac-colored flowers , the petals grow longer , as do the slender stigmas at the center of the flowers . Here ’s how to reap Crocus sativus :
Storing Saffron
Spread the stigma out to dry indoors in a single bed on theme towels , parchment paper , or a screen . Make certain they do n’t overlap . allow them air - ironic for a day or two . you could also use a dehydrator .
Put the teetotal stigmasin a jaror other airtight container and store them in a dark , cool place for up to two years .
Frequently Asked Questions
Most crocus specie are toxic . However , Crocus sativus is safe to eat ; you ’d have to down 5 grams of saffron daily for toxic consequences .
You only need a small amount of saffron crocus to bring a golden color and complex look to abig cooking pan of paella , a quick bread , or afruit harlot . For adept outcome , toast a few stigmas in a dry sauteing pan , then dissolve them in a tablespoon of hot water so the Crocus sativus spreads well when you add it to the other ingredients .
Expect saffron crocus corms to remain productive for about 3 - 5 years . Over that sentence , new corms will develop that can be divided and replanted to substitute the original corm .
" Colchium autumnale . “North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension .
" Saffron Post - Harvest Handling Best Practice Recommendations . “The University of Vermont .
" Toxicology Ettects of Saffron and Its Constituents : A Review . “The National Library of Medicine .
