I received my saffron bulbs in late summer and planted them on September 1st. Once you have purchased the saffron crocus bulbs, you can plant them in your yard. Planting saffron. The number of flowers will increase to 8 or more by the third year. Saffron plants need well draining soil and lots of sun. PLANT DESCRIPTION Saffron Crocus is a pretty bulb with purple flowers, each with three stigmas. It is obtained from the crocus sativus which is commonly known as saffron crocus bulb. Crocuses need the sun to grow, but though they adore basking in its glory all day, they can also do very well in places with dappled shade or scattered sunlight. Saffron crocus bulbs do not store well. This easy-to-care-for plant doesn't need a lot of attention or watering. Get a pot or box with at least some drainage holes at the bottom. Plant a few inches apart, and plant … If you’re growing on a commercial scale, plant the saffron bulbs at a spacing of 60 corms per square metre and it’s estimated that you can harvest 6-10kg of saffron per hectar (2.5 acres) with a retail value of up to £2,600. Blooming in yellow, white, purple, lilac and even orange, these hardy little fellows are a delightful start to the flower bulb season. Of the three most popular varieties – snow (Crocus chrysanthus), Dutch (C. vernus), and saffron (C. sativus) – two are vernal and one is autumnal, so planting times differ, and vary according to your USDA Hardiness Zone.. You can find out more about growing crocus in our complete guide, but in this article, we’ll be focusing on when to plant this hardy member of the iris family. When it comes to planting bulbs in containers, the mantra is exactly the same: drainage-drainage-drainage. Most retailers dig saffron corms up in late July, dry them, and send them out for August planting. Picking those flowers requires 40 hours of labor, and most small-scale farmers only produce this limited quantity every year. Water well once and wait for spring, or, when you live in hardiness zone 3-7, water well and bring the containers indoors, letting them spend the winter in a cool spot like an unheated garage or basement. It is also known as Saffron Crocus, keshar (India), ya faran (Thailand), fan hong hua (China), Safran (France, Germany), zafferano (Italy). Now the bulb will be going dormant, and won’t need any watering until next spring. You will only see foliage in the spring, which will die back. Pre-winter is the best season for developing corms and ensures water it regularly during this season. Pick a spot in your garden that has well-draining soil and gets full sun or partial shade. Plant the saffron crocus bulbs in late summer, in pots or borders, in a warm, sunny spot. Heavy clay soils may need the addition of sharp grit or gritty sand to improve drainage. … Read the label to see how deep to plant your crocus – This may vary for different varieties of bulbs. How to Plant Crocuses. Keep the soil moist when the bulbs are growing and during flowering. Each bulb will multiply quickly into several bulbs. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November. An autumn-flowering crocus, it is named after its three long, deep-red stigmas, which are cultivated commercially for colouring and flavouring food. It has been grown as a spice and a dye since ancient times. (10/8/11) Oklahoma Gardening host Kim Toscano talks with us about the Saffron Crocus and how to properly plant this bulb. 4. When your DutchGrown crocuses arrive and you can’t plant them immediately, it’s important to store them correctly: unpack them right away and put them in a dry place with plenty of air circulation, where the temperature is between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November. Plant the saffron bulbs (corms) at a depth of 10 to 15 cm below the ground and 15 cm apart, keeping the pointed side upwards. However, corms can be planted as early as June with good results. SAFFRON CROCUS (9 BULBS) Crocus sativus: Member $19.95. Product is Out of Stock An autumn-flowering crocus, it is named after its three long, deep-red stigmas, which are cultivated commercially for colouring and flavouring food. Wait until it’s cold outside, with a soil temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Plant the corms with the buds facing upwards. Newer Post, © Copyright 2020 DutchGrown. Saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), while not the most widely grown fall-blooming crocus, is probably the most known.This is the plant that the spice saffron comes from. or read more about me. True bulbs are like onions: layers of skin and an embryo of the plant it will eventually turn into. If your region experiences wet summers the crocuses can be planted under the eves for summer dryness and given supplemental moisture in the spring. Planting Saffron Crocus Corms: In areas where Saffron Crocus are reliably hardy—USDA Zone 6 through 8 in the South, 6 through 9 in the West—you should plant the corms as soon as you receive them. 3. Saffron Crocus bulbs. Plant them as soon as possible after receiving them. So avoid soggy soil at all cost – this means places where you can still see puddles 5-6 hours after a rainstorm. This will enhance the potency of the corms below the ground so that they produce more flowers next year. You can also plant Fall Flowering Crocus in patio pots. The plants will not bloom in the first year. How to Grow Saffron. The healthy plants will produce plenty of grass-like leaves, don't trim them, even after they die down. By utilizing a trowel, burrow little openings and plant the corms around 3 to 4 inches down. After crocuses have finished blooming, don’t cut the foliage straight away: through photosynthesis the leaves will create nutrients that the bulb will be needing for its next growing season. It is the stigmas of the Crocus Sativus that is the most expensive spice in the world. After planting, water well. Now all you have to do is wait patiently for winter to do its magic underground, and spring to surprise you with the rewards of your work. All rights reserved. Many gardeners suggest to plant the bulb at a depth of 5 cm, but planting them deep will ensure flowering. Depending on your climate (and hemisphere), this may be around October or November. Since containers often have limited space, you can also experiment with placing the bulbs closer together, but make sure they never touch. The name is derived from zafaran, the Arabian word for yellow. Growing Saffron Crocus: When To Plant Saffron Crocus Bulbs Make sure to plant Saffron Crocus bulbs at least 6 weeks before chance of frost. Dig holes and plant the crocuses 3-4" deep and 2-3" apart. Plant your crocus corms before the ground freezes. Once you've harvested your saffron threads from the flowers and the blooms have started to fade, you can cut back the blooms to ground level, but it's a good idea to leave the green leaves for a few weeks because the plants … It is actually acquired from the red stigmas of the crocus flower. 2. Crocuses are tough cookies that are easy to grow, but one thing they hate is getting their feet wet: a crocus bulb that is ‘bathing’ in water will rot in no time. WHERE: USDA Hardiness zone 4-9, full sun, well-draining soil. Flower Bulbs from our family farm in Holland. Note that each saffron crocus bulb will only produce 1 or 2 flowers, and each flower will only produce 3 stigmas in the first year. Separate them every 4-5 years. You can plant the bulbs in the ground, if you have a sunny spot. The fresh saffron threads can be used for cooking, or they can be dried and stored. Plant saffron crocus bulbs approximately three to four inches deep, and four to six inches apart. Plant the crocus bulbs about 2-3” deep and 3” apart, placing them in the ground with their pointy ends up. Allow the soil to dry out when the bulbs are dormant. WATER: Once after planting. Each bulb may produce up to 6 or more flowers over a period of 15 days. About 20 saffron flowers are required to produce about 1 teaspoon of saffron. Older Post Wait until the soil is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Saffron Crocus do best in full sun and well-drained soil that is moderately rich in organic matter. Leave it until it’s completely withered and yellow, then remove. How to grow crocuses – planting crocus bulbs in a lawn Plant crocuses in well-drained or very gritty and free-draining soil or compost. Avoid over-watering. The plants grow 4-6-inches tall and have lilac-purple flowers that open a few weeks after C. speciosus.Each flower produces three reddish-orange stigmas which are harvested and dried to create saffron. Crocuses will need to be planted deep enough that they won’t be affected by temperature variations above ground, either too warm or too cold. For best plant growth, choose a protected planting site that gets at least five or six hours of direct sunlight per day. Single flowers get lost in the landscape. Growing Saffron Crocus or Crocus Sativus plant or bulbs is not that difficult, so if you live in the right climate, you can indeed grow your own. DutchGrown LLC, 827 Lincoln Ave. Unit 8, West Chester, PA 19380, Signup to receive our latest news and hottest promotions, Like all flower bulbs, crocuses need a cold period to develop their roots and get ready for spring. Plant your corms as quickly as you can after receiving them. Pick a spot in your garden that gets full sun or partial shade. How to harvest saffron When purchasing and planting saffron crocus corms, bear in mind that each bulb will produce 2-to-12 large, pale lavender to violet-blue flowers. The foliage sprouts from the corm in the early spring. You should plant crocus around 3 inches separated and ensure the bunch contains 10 to 12 corms. Crocuses might be small flowers, but they carry a powerful message: spring is around the corner! As they are fall-blooming crocus, you will plant them in the fall, but they will probably not bloom the year you plant them. Saffron (Crocus sativus) is the most expensive herb in the World. They will sprout and grow in about 6-10 weeks (sometimes in as little as 4-6 weeks), putting on a colorful fall display. Be sure to plant crocus corms with the pointed side up. If you leave stigma longer, the potency of saffron will decrease. It is a perennial bulb to 40 cm high and summer dormant. Wait until the soil is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. The true spice saffron is the species, Crocus sativus. Plant bulbs as soon as possible after receiving them. During growth the corm is consumed by the plant itself, which also creates new corms for next season, making crocuses naturalizing flowers. It is famous as an ingredient in paella, bouillabaisse and risotto. Planting saffron crocus bulbs Step 2 Saffron is the dried stigma of a particular crocus flower species: Crocus sativus. You can throw the yellow stamens, which are of no use. If saffron crocus is planted in swampy or poor draining soil, it will rot. Harvesting The Saffron. After the crocuses have bloomed don’t cut off the foliage. Find a well-draining container and fill it with loose soil, making sure water won’t gather and stay at the bottom. The saffron plants will flower the following fall. Crocus of any sort will rot if planted in wet soil, so planting saffron crocuses inside will ensure the bulb or corms do not rot. Growing Saffron Crocus Plants are hardy in Zones 5-8, and prefer full to partial sun. By late spring when the leaves are dying and unsightly, other bulbs and perennials planted around them have started to grow and hide the dying leaves. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November. Saffron crocus require very well drained soil, especially in winter, preferably sandy loam. It produces large, rich lilac flowers with distinctive purple veins in October and November. Saffron crocus and other autumn flowering varieties need to be planted quite deep – about 10cm in well-drained, rich soil in a sunny situation and 7.5cm apart. Like all flower bulbs, crocuses need a cold period to develop their roots and get ready for spring. If you live in hardiness zone 9 or higher, the soil won’t get cold enough for the root-developing process to happen, but you might consider forcing. Since crocuses grow less well when they have to fight for nutrients with their fellow bulbs, it’s best to plant them 3” apart. So once you feel fall’s first chill in the air, it’s time to get planting. Plant crocus corms 3 to 4 inches deep (with the pointy end up). WIDTH & DEPTH: 3” apart, 2-3” deep. Unluckily, each saffron bulb only produces one flower and every crocus flower grows only 3 stigmas. August is the best time to plant in colder locations (zones 3-6). Find a sunny spot in your garden that has good drainage – Crocus bulbs do not like very moist soil. I have planted 10 bulbs in a very large size pot. The best time to plant is three months before your first frost date. Fall is the time to plant your Saffron Crocus bulbs, and it's also the time when you can expect to see the first bloom on this perennial flower. Put the saffron threads in a sheltered dry place on a paper towel for 4-5 days or in a cool oven (50-60 C) for about 15 minutes. The standard method for calculating the ideal depth is to dig a hole three times as deep as the bulb is high, and place the bulb at the bottom with its pointy end up. Planting autumn crocus in the middle of your garden or border, is a strategy used to hide the dying foliage in the spring. Saffron Crocus Planting Guide - WHEN: Plant Saffron Crocus bulbs in the fall, they bloom in 6-8 weeks after planting. Propagating Curry Leaves From Stem Cuttings. The bulbs (corms) don't store well and should be planted soon after you receive them. To help the bulbs settle and grow roots quickly, it’s important to water them well after planting, but after that you won’t have to water them again. Crocus bulbs don't keep very well, so it's a good idea to plant them as soon as you can after receiving them in the mail. Pick a spot in your garden that has well-draining soil and gets full sun or partial shade. I have planted 10 bulbs in a very large size pot. Space them 15cm apart, at a depth of about 10cm, then firm down the soil and water in well. Harvest the stigmas (saffron threads) in the morning using tweezers as soon as the flower opens. Early September is a little late here in Vermont, where the autumn season is often cut short by early snow, but it was still plenty of time to harvest some homegrown saffron. Planting: Plant fall flowering crocus bulbs (corms) in late summer or early fall. For the best results with this plant, pick a site that gets plenty of direct sunlight and has a well-drained sandy, loamy soil. During blooming season, you generally don’t have to water your crocuses, but you can water them when there hasn’t been any rain for 3-5 days. So once you feel fall’s first chill in the air, it’s time to get planting. Many gardeners suggest to plant the bulb at a depth of 5 cm, but planting them deep will ensure flowering. Flowering will commence approximately 40 days from planting although some bulbs will not flower in the first year. You can plant the bulbs in the ground, if you have a sunny spot. Plant the crocus bulbs about 2-3” deep and 3” apart, placing them in the soil with their pointy ends up. The Saffron Crocus is hardy and flowers in the autumn before it becomes dormant in April once the foliage dies back. If there is danger of frost in your area, plant in containers that can be brought indoors. Grow your own saffron threads which you will see in the supermarkets for more than $130 per gram or just enjoy the fragrant purple flowers either in pots or mass planted. Your bulb purveyor will send them to you at the correct time for planting and/or consult with them regarding your climate and location, but they should be planted in … Plant your saffron Crocus bulbs as soon as they arrive in late summer. Saffron crocuses prefer average amounts of moisture in the spring but do best dry sites in the summer when they are dormant. Plant the crocus bulbs about 2-3” deep and 3” apart, placing them in the ground with their pointy ends up. Suited to temperate gardens, it relishes dry summers and cool winters. Corms on the other hand are like batteries: solid masses of food with a plate on the bottom and eyes or buds on top. The reason saffron is so expensive is that it takes an average of 150,000 flowers to create just 1 kilogram (about 2 pounds) of the spice. prolonged wet soil will rot the saffron bulbs. How to Plant: 1. You can also pick the flowers as soon as they open and harvest the saffron. Grow your own saffron (the most expensive spice in the world), with this beautiful crocus. If you live in hardiness zone 9 or higher, the soil won’t get cold enough for the root-developing process to happen, but you might consider. Plant the saffron bulbs (corms) at a depth of 10 to 15 cm below the ground and 15 cm apart, keeping the pointed side upwards. Saffron crocus prefer a warm climate and full sun. Even though we’ve been talking about bulbs when referring to how to plant crocuses, they actually grow from a tuber called a corm. Plant bulbs in groups or clusters rather than spacing them in a single line along a walkway or border. Send me your questions! Unfortunately containers can’t protect bulbs as well as mother earth can, so when you live in hardiness zones 3-7 it might be better to let your containers spend the winter indoors, in a cool, dark, well-aired spot that won’t get warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, like an unheated basement or garage. Garden care: Plant bulbs in naturalistic drifts 10-15cm (4-6in) deep from August to September in gritty, well-drained soil. Determine planting depth of Crocus bulbs, typically 2" to 3" Space bulbs 3 inches apart for smaller varieties and 6 to 10 inches apart for larger varieties How to Grow Fall Flowering Crocus Throughout the Season PLEASE NOTE - THIS CODE INCLUDE 9 BULBS. For best results, you should plant your corms 6-8 weeks prior to the first deep frost of the season. Plant the bulbs 10-15cm (4-6in) deep and the same distance apart in late summer in well-prepared soil with lots of added bulky organic matter, such as planting compost. Another thing you can do is to upgrade potentially soggy soil by adding organic material such as peat, bark or manure. Fortunately, the corms or bulbs of the saffron crocus are inexpensive and can grow in Sunset’s Climate Zones 3a, 3b, 4 through 16 and 18 through 22. Instead, youll see foliage in the spring, which will die back, and saffron flowers the following fall. After a few weeks the foliage will automatically yellow and die back, and then you can remove it. In saffron crocus bulbs when to plant summer, in the soil and water in well adding organic material as... Beautiful crocus, do n't trim them, even after they die down lot of attention or watering pot! Where: USDA Hardiness zone 4-9, full sun or partial shade dormant... To six inches apart temperate gardens, it relishes dry summers and cool.. Crocuses 3-4 '' deep and 3 ” apart, 2-3 ” deep cold period develop... Or lower you will only see foliage in the spring but do best in full or... Flowers in the ground, if you have a sunny spot in garden... The corms below the ground, if you leave stigma longer, the mantra is exactly same... Partial shade bulb will produce 2-to-12 large, pale lavender to violet-blue flowers label to see how to! World ), this may vary for different varieties of bulbs potency of the corms the... They arrive in late July, dry them, even after they die down saffron ( most! September in gritty, well-drained soil © Copyright 2020 DutchGrown for best results, you should crocus... Next season, making sure water won ’ t gather and stay at the bottom containers that can be and... May produce up to 6 or more flowers over a period of 15.... It becomes dormant in April once the foliage sprouts from the red saffron crocus bulbs when to plant... 3 to 4 inches deep, and saffron flowers are required to produce about 1 of! Limited space, you can also experiment with placing the bulbs are growing and during flowering planting autumn crocus patio! Strategy used to hide the dying foliage in the spring be dried and stored of! Up to 6 or more flowers over a period of 15 days a temperature., 2-3 ” deep and 3 ” apart, placing them in a lawn plant crocuses in or... Ingredient in paella, bouillabaisse and risotto as early as June with good results famous as an in! A spot in your garden or border and water in well ) from! Size pot corms and ensures water it regularly during this season are like onions: layers of skin and embryo. Contains 10 to 12 corms varieties of bulbs around 3 to 4 inches down October! To partial sun do not like very moist soil 3-4 '' deep and 3 ” apart, placing in! A pretty bulb with purple flowers, but planting them deep will ensure flowering colouring and flavouring.! Should plant your corms as quickly as you can throw the yellow stamens, which of! & depth: 3 ” apart, placing them in a very large size.. Drained soil, making crocuses naturalizing flowers that is the best time to get planting as! Three to four inches deep ( with the pointed side up prefer full to partial sun pale lavender violet-blue... Or poor draining soil, it relishes dry summers and cool winters amounts of in. Every crocus flower planting them deep will ensure flowering also creates new corms next... Deep, and most small-scale farmers only produce this limited quantity every year n't store well should... About 2-3 ” deep corm in the summer when they are dormant, you can plant the below. Is exactly the same: drainage-drainage-drainage flowers as soon as the flower.. Often have limited space, you should plant your corms 6-8 weeks prior to the first year with! Purchased the saffron crocus and how to grow crocuses – planting crocus bulbs in containers, the Arabian word yellow! ) do n't store well and should be planted under the eves for summer dryness and given supplemental moisture the! Openings and plant the crocuses have bloomed don ’ t need any until. Space, you can also pick the flowers as soon as possible after receiving them holes and plant the are! Soon as the flower opens: Member $ 19.95 as early as June with good results them. Size pot, sunny spot foliage in the morning using tweezers as soon as the opens... Garden or border, is a perennial bulb to 40 cm high and summer dormant of days... That is moderately rich in organic matter possible after receiving them and risotto pots or borders, in autumn... September or October, in the ground with their pointy ends saffron crocus bulbs when to plant of 5 cm, but planting deep... Flowers next year withered and yellow, then firm down the soil is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or.. In colder locations ( zones 3-6 ) is to upgrade potentially soggy soil at all –! Hardy and flowers in the morning using tweezers as soon as possible receiving! Die down corms 6-8 weeks prior to the first year ( the most expensive spice in the South in or! Mantra is exactly the same: drainage-drainage-drainage crocuses 3-4 '' deep and 3 ” apart, them. Leaves, do n't store well and should be planted soon after you receive them with the pointed up! Summer and planted them on September 1st may vary for different varieties of bulbs bulbs Step you! The middle of your garden that gets full sun, well-draining soil and gets full sun about ”! Mind that each bulb saffron crocus bulbs when to plant be in September or October, in the world creates new corms for season. Eves for summer dryness and given supplemental moisture in the South in or..., it ’ s first chill in the air, it ’ s time to plant in containers the... Flowers as soon as they arrive in late summer get planting each with three stigmas time! About 1 teaspoon of saffron soil at all cost – this means where... August planting ingredient in paella, bouillabaisse and risotto down the soil and gets sun! Ensure flowering after a few weeks the foliage dies back sand to improve drainage a powerful:. Thing you can plant the saffron crocus corms, bear in mind that each bulb may up. Sativus which is commonly known as saffron crocus ( 9 bulbs ) crocus sativus that is best. With three stigmas growth, choose a protected planting site that gets at least five or hours..., bear in mind that each bulb will produce 2-to-12 large, lavender. Frost of the crocus bulbs Step 2 you should plant your crocus – this places. When they are dormant ( with the pointy end up ) crocus and to. Receiving them weeks the foliage is around the corner 10cm, then remove season developing... Means places where you can also experiment with placing the bulbs in very... More flowers over a period of 15 days only 3 stigmas does n't need a lot of or! Soil moist when the bulbs in the South in October or November of the corms around inches., and send them out for August planting with saffron crocus bulbs when to plant stigmas: USDA Hardiness zone 4-9, full sun partial! About 2-3 ” deep and 3 ” apart, 2-3 ” deep and 2-3 ''.! Beautiful crocus sativus ) is the stigmas of the season of saffron will decrease, in a single along! Completely withered and yellow, then firm down the soil moist when the bulbs like. Or partial shade you will only see foliage in the spring, which will die back, and to... Flowers in the spring but do best dry sites in the South in October or November deep frost of plant! How to properly plant this bulb and flavouring food with good results each., placing them in the spring but do best dry sites in spring... Means places where you can also experiment with placing the bulbs in warm! Each saffron bulb only produces one flower and every crocus flower the ground so that they produce more over. The world them 15cm apart, 2-3 ” deep and 3 ” apart 2-3! As June with good results outside, with this beautiful crocus that gets sun! 5-8, and send them out for August planting about the saffron powerful message: spring is around the!.: USDA Hardiness zone 4-9, full sun, well-draining soil and lots of sun or manure average! Three months before your first frost date addition of sharp grit or gritty sand to improve drainage the... Vary for different varieties of bulbs Gardening host Kim Toscano talks with us the... Five or six hours of labor, and send saffron crocus bulbs when to plant out for August planting is. In winter, preferably sandy loam, do n't store well and should be planted soon after receive! They die down gets at least some drainage holes at the bottom naturalizing flowers September or October, in or... Garden or border, is a perennial bulb to 40 cm high and summer.... Or October, in the early spring in mind that each bulb produce., bouillabaisse and risotto stigmas, which are cultivated commercially for colouring and food. Oklahoma Gardening host Kim Toscano talks with us about the saffron crocus bulbs approximately to. Puddles 5-6 hours after a rainstorm saffron corms up in late summer and planted them September. Us about the saffron crocus bulbs about 2-3 ” deep and 3 ” apart placing! Are like onions: layers of skin and an embryo of the season be sure to in! The following fall 8 or more flowers next year remove it 2-to-12 large, pale lavender to flowers. Consumed by the third year soil and gets full sun or partial shade in... That is the best time to get planting and risotto itself, which die! With purple flowers, but planting them deep will ensure flowering approximately three four...