Saffron Crocus bulbs

14 years ago

I have some saffron crocus bulbs, it's October but it has been raining a lot...Question - do I still plant the bulbs outside now? And will they bloom in a few weeks or spring? Has anyone tried in pots indoors during the winter?

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Comments (2)

vetivert8
14 years ago
They're autumn-flowering and they probably won't flower this year - but there's always one...;-(.

Pop them into a mix that is guaranteed to dry out. They hate being left in the wet over their dormant time (spring to autumn).

The leaves will come up soon and stay over the winter. Keep them moist-enough while they are growing.

Around April they will start looking yellow - just like the other autumn crocuses. Let them dry off and keep them away from your summer watering system.

Plant in September. Watch anxiously. Wait for those beautiful little cups with the amazing orange-y tassels and go 'Aaah' (I do!)

I have this sort of memory that saffron is like tuber rose and tulip - the bulb flowers once then breaks into daughter bulbs and has to grow on to flowering size. Somehow you need to develop a 'succession' system so there are always some coming into flower and some growing up to size each year.
johnny65
14 years ago
Last year, which was my first year trying the saffron crocus, they all grew but there were no flowers... I read that this could happen and that I might have better luck this year. It is October 16th and the leaves are just coming up with the earliest only about 2 inches so far. All of my bulbs are in planters or oak barrels. I'm happy to see they have multiplied. I have my fingers crossed, hoping I will see some flowers this year! I would be happy to exchange notes with anyone regarding this flower.
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Crocus sativus will produce more flowers next fall, if the foliage is exposed to maximum sunlight and remains green as long as possible. You didn't indicate when they bloomed, but the foliage will usually last for 4-5 months afterward(about mid-winter here). I don't think you need to be concerned about temperature, as long as it is above zero degrees, they should be fine. Some references list their hardiness as -30Â°F, others at -20Â°F., with a thick layer of mulch(4+"). You might consider using some heating tape (the type used for wrapping pipes to prevent freezing) and burying it a couple of inches deep in the planter's soil, for use on extremely cold nights. It is fairly inexpensive, available at most HD, Lowes & Hardware stores and operates for pennies a day. I grow a number of fall blooming bulbs, including several species of Crocus and enjoy them immensely! Good luck! :Rb
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I don't think there is a definate amswer to your question. From what I have seen in my years here they are usually traded as plants. If though they are not blooming size then I would think that they would be traded for seed though in doing so the postage would be higher so you might suggest a trade such as 'HAVE daff bulbs will trade 6 bulbs for 6 paks of seeds'. When offering in exchange for plants it might go like this 'Have 6 daff bulbs, looking for 3 plants in exchange' I sure hope this helps.
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They are planted within my woodland garden area so they are planted with ferns. Eventually, I plan to plant them in a woodland setting with edible spring ferns because I love fiddle heads. Perhaps in our climate think more about companion planting than "cover" cropping. Why? Because you want something that "shows" the crocus when they bloom! They are beautiful - so a decides plant, or something that declines a bit in the fall would be a nice companion. Also something that will not smother, cover or crowd the bulbs out (which means most traditional ground covers are out).
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Saffron Crocus bulbs

Comments (2)

vetivert8

johnny65

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