Autumn/Saffron Crocus?

[Kirk]

When do you plant them?
Like is 10 minutes ago too late for a chance of anything this year?
Expect it is but no use them sitting in a bag in a box.

Decided that the thin pencil sized leeks were a waste of space, so out they came and in went 40+ (what should be) saffron crocus.

At least I know where they are and have the chance to relocate them next year if the other plan works out. Equally may just decide to treat them as a crop and leave them where they are. Veg doesn't seem to grow saffron might but unsure of drainage and sun for them. Odd beasties I gather.

[veggiechicken]

Sparrow's thread about Saffron may help you.

https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...rms_91121.html

[burnie]

My catalogue says plant August/September and should flower in October/November, I think in the UK, growing in containers under cover might be the way to go, we don't quite get the same heat as they do in the middle east.

[Mark_Riga]

They were (may be still are?) grown round Saffron Walden and are quite hardy in the UK.

[Vegi potager]

Last year I planted about 25 corms from the garden centre. Got 6 flowers. Took them out of their pots when the leaves had died back end of may... 125 corms. some tiny, some big. All went out earlier this month in a lot more, bigger pots!
Personally I think I got a pretty good return on my original investment, Just hoping the all come up and maybe I get a few more than 6 flowers which is barely enough for 1 portion of saffron rice.

[Kirk]

They are all in now. Most in one long strip that had pathetic leeks in. The spare were planted in line of spare ground, much the same place.

As the vegetable crop has been very much pathetic I am going to be immensly unpleased if I get saffron. If I do then they have to be relocated I suspect next year to a more permanent position. That is likely to be the front of the veg raised bed, from the present middle of the veg bed. One other option exists.

Would have liked to have put them at the front at this time but a few other bits there - minor rearrangement and replanning required.

[Kirk]

Minor update:
13 first signs of crocus growth.
13 little pointy bits sticking up out of the soil.
Only another 37 to go.

[Vegi potager]

No sign of anything yet... except a fox taking an afternoon nap on the top of the biggest pot. I woke it up and chased it off, then put in a load of spiky sticks to keep it off. Foxes retaliation = scat. Me = pepper dust.

[Kirk]

Just over 42 showing now (50 in the box).
Just hope they are Saffron Crocus when they flower, not a scam purple striped variety.
Seller seemed good, but always best to see the real things. Keep half thinking of ordering another batch but may have to leave until next year. Getting late.

Annoyingly I may have more success growing saffron then veg

[Guest]

Don't get too cocky. I bought late ones that flowered and produced really well the first year than were pants for the next 3 years. I put some in the ground never to be seen again

[veggiechicken]

There's no sign of mine this year............yet

[greenishfing]

I planted some a few years ago. I did get some saffron but then someone (maybe me) forgot they were planted in the big pots and put something else in. Over time they have disappeared.

[Kirk]

Not getting cocky at all, as said not yet even known if they are actually saffron crocus. Came from eBay so in keeping with the site it was a punt in the dark. Just fancied the idea.

Guess the soils we have are not well suited to them. Cannot say mine is overly free drainng, gritty and sun baked. Wonder if I can go dig around Saffron Waldon to see what they have, guessing sandy. And mine is not sandy.

So a few years could just be how long them manage to keep going in our wet, heavy, cold UK soils after which they give up. Or something realises they are good to eat.

Still good fun.
Oops, just had a daft idea.

[burnie]

They were (may be still are?) grown round Saffron Walden and are quite hardy in the UK.

That was in the 16th and 17th century, climate and soil may be very different now.

[Vegi potager]

I am at about 35/125 popping up (after 4 weeks) so expecting flowers in November. I wouldn't bother buying more because when you empty out the pots in June you will have LOADS more bulbs.