The little corms who could...

[sparrow100]

With all the gubbins going on at home I didn't get around to planting out my saffron. On a rare visit to the plot I found I have 3 big tubs of corms that look like this, and an intensely fragrant shed!

Bless them for trying so hard...

[veggiechicken]

When a plant wants to grow, it'll find a way.
Well done saffron, you're beautiful

[ameno]

Better pick it before it goes over. They won't last long without soil and water like that.

[sparrow100]

I have more corms than I can possibly use - this is 3 x 30L tubs from the initial 60 corms 4 years ago. If a few don't make it I really don't mind. And if you think I'd leave saffron unpicked... Roll on saffron gin and poached pears.

[chillithyme]

What little beauties, gorgeous

[Small pumpkin]

They are beautiful. I planted some once. I wasn’t working there the following year so I have no idea if they grew. They’re on my list for my new garden.

[sparrow100]

SP, send me a PM next May-ish when they are dormant and I will happily dig some up for you. I honestly have masses and each one develops into 3-8 new corms. Worse than rabbits.

[Small pumpkin]

Thank you Sparrow. That’s very kind.

[Bluenowhere]

Wow. I wondered if saffron was easy to grow as I’ve had terrible luck with plants/corms generally from the online companies who seem to sell saffron bulbs and somehow time got away from me this year to try and find a local supplier.

They say a picture paints a thousand words so thanks so much for posting as the answer is clearly that they aren’t difficult!

[sparrow100]

They are the easiest crop I have ever grown, with a few caveats. a) keep them in a well-drained bed, b) feed them right after flowering in November c) dig them up & thin out every 3 years or the bed will get too congested. Obviously b) will be challenging for me, but I'll be out with the trowel this weekend to get some of the poor blighters into soil.

[mothhawk]

They are the easiest crop I have ever grown, with a few caveats. a) keep them in a well-drained bed, b) feed them right after flowering in November c) dig them up & thin out every 3 years or the bed will get too congested. Obviously b) will be challenging for me, but I'll be out with the trowel this weekend to get some of the poor blighters into soil.

I planted four corms about ten years ago and I still have......four crocus.

What's your secret? What do you feed them? I've never fed mine. They are in the garden in a dryish sunny spot.

[Trouvere]

My 60 corms turned into more than 250 in one year, but I have yet to see even one flower.

[SarrissUK]

Wow, so they can vary a lot in how much they flower and spread? I might have to give them a go for the sake of the challenge

[sparrow100]

I need to update it but I've put down what I learned about growing saffron here: https://mudandgluts.com/unusual-crops/saffron

The biggest corms will produce 4-5 flowers, tiddlers just leaves. I feed potash-rich stuff right after flowering to help them bulk up over winter before they go dormant.

Mothawk, I don't know what your corms think they are up to - you need to have words with them VC-style!


edit to change code from img to url!

[lolie]

I didn't realise saffron grew so easily. I must get some corms.