Solid advice as usual from Gardner Scott. I've been growing saffron the past few years and it really is this easy to grow. The flowers only bloom for a day so be sure to pick them as soon as you see them open. The stigmas dry easily on a coffee filter after a few days... and it's not like you need to grow a ton of this stuff, but once in a great while for a special meal or whatever, it's a great thing to have handy. Even better when you've grown your own.
This is my 4th year growing Saffron! I started with 25 corms in 2021, this year I planted 600, all from multiplication!! I'm a California based grower. My singular best advice is to cover up those pots with some chicken wire - it is extremely prone to being dug up by squirrels, rats, mice, voles, rabbits, everything. Btw, if you're interested in what happens to saffron Crocus corms over the years, I have carefully documented my entire 4 year journey. Check it out!
It's pretty nice stuff it is basically the first to flower at the transition of winter and spring it lets you know good days are coming even if it doesn't seem like it
I wonder, I've had bad luck here in Western Washington with ceramic pots outdoors. We get rain and freezes, which causes them to crack. On the other hand, I worry about what may be leaching into my soil using resin or plastic pots. @GardenerScott What do you recommend? Where do you live and do you know of any gardening sages out my way?
Well, now I know what I did wrong when I planted some three years ago. Not planted deep enough, no added bone meal, and soil was too compact. Not to mention, I think either rabbits, chipmunks, groundhogs or squirrels dug them up and ate them. Going to plant the ones I have this year in containers.
What are the considerations of the freeze/thaw, freeze/thaw factors of the pot exposed to the winter elements? I am planting tulips this year in pots but I am burying them because of the wonky winter weather I now get.
Quick question - we're in zone 5a, Ontario with a balcony container garden. Would you recommend overwintering the crocus bulbs in a suitably insulated/wrapped container? Or should I do the fridge/freezer trick and plant them out in the spring? Thanks so much! - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
Hi Cathy (& accidently Steve), I'm in Eastern Ontario and planted saffron bulbs last fall. I planted 50% in a 6" high raised bed and covered with leaves for over wintering. The other 50% I planted in a pot and left it in a south facing window until they died back. I overwintered the pot indoors. Surprisingly I harvested some stigmas from both ways and am now anxiously awaiting to see if any survived. A WORD OF WARNING: never, ever, sneeze when laying out your stigmas to dry....***poof***, harvest gone!
I tried planting them in spring and they died back like other crocus in my hot dry summer. I haven't seen signs of them. Do you think they could still be alive?
Solid advice as usual from Gardner Scott. I've been growing saffron the past few years and it really is this easy to grow. The flowers only bloom for a day so be sure to pick them as soon as you see them open.
The stigmas dry easily on a coffee filter after a few days... and it's not like you need to grow a ton of this stuff, but once in a great while for a special meal or whatever, it's a great thing to have handy. Even better when you've grown your own.
This is my 4th year growing Saffron! I started with 25 corms in 2021, this year I planted 600, all from multiplication!! I'm a California based grower.
My singular best advice is to cover up those pots with some chicken wire - it is extremely prone to being dug up by squirrels, rats, mice, voles, rabbits, everything.
Btw, if you're interested in what happens to saffron Crocus corms over the years, I have carefully documented my entire 4 year journey. Check it out!
I always wondered if saffron would grow in zone 4 and after watching your "how to" video, I'm going to give it a try. Thank you!
It's pretty nice stuff it is basically the first to flower at the transition of winter and spring it lets you know good days are coming even if it doesn't seem like it
Always great to grow if you use it in the kitchen
I grew these 2 years ago, zone 6.
Well, thank you. I have some and I’ve planted half of them and now I’ll plant the other half. The other half will be in a pot thank you.
I wonder, I've had bad luck here in Western Washington with ceramic pots outdoors. We get rain and freezes, which causes them to crack. On the other hand, I worry about what may be leaching into my soil using resin or plastic pots.
@GardenerScott What do you recommend? Where do you live and do you know of any gardening sages out my way?
Well, now I know what I did wrong when I planted some three years ago. Not planted deep enough, no added bone meal, and soil was too compact. Not to mention, I think either rabbits, chipmunks, groundhogs or squirrels dug them up and ate them.
Going to plant the ones I have this year in containers.
Wow, that’s a lot of flowers to fill my little jar 😮
Looking forward to see what you do with these
I love your content!!! Sending happiness to you today Gardener Scott! 😊
Looking forward to seeing the results
Thank you for the Saffron Crocus planting lesson. Can’t wait for updates.
The spice must flow.
🪱
Spicy if it up Gardner Scott😀🇦🇺
Where can I get the Saffron onions?
Xin chào bạn lời chào từ Vietnam,tôi rất thích xem video vườn rau của bạn, bạn có đi Vietnam du lịch tôi sẽ gặp bạn ở Vietnam
Cảm ơn. Tôi muốn đến thăm Việt Nam một ngày nào đó.
What are the considerations of the freeze/thaw, freeze/thaw factors of the pot exposed to the winter elements? I am planting tulips this year in pots but I am burying them because of the wonky winter weather I now get.
That can be a factor in some areas. Mulch can help and putting the pot in a sheltered location can help.
Hello Scott. What can you share with us regarding the tomato virus here in Australia?
This is the first I've heard of it. Here's some info I found: www.outbreak.gov.au/current-outbreaks/tomato-brown-rugose-fruit-virus
Can you recommend where to buy the corms you just planted? Thanks!
I got some of them from Baker Creek and was satisfied with them.
👍😊💲
Question? There are fall crocus here in a few beds. Are they maybe saffron crocus? Spring foliage is a welcome sight.
Autumn crocus is a different species.
They are different.
@@GardenerScott thank you for your reply. They are a very welcome sight! Light violet color with golden stamens (?) maybe four -5 inches tall
What variety of crocus for saffron
Crocus sativus
Quick question - we're in zone 5a, Ontario with a balcony container garden. Would you recommend overwintering the crocus bulbs in a suitably insulated/wrapped container? Or should I do the fridge/freezer trick and plant them out in the spring?
Thanks so much!
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
I would suggest overwintering with protection. If you have a spot to store them in the pot it makes the process easier.
Hi Cathy (& accidently Steve),
I'm in Eastern Ontario and planted saffron bulbs last fall. I planted 50% in a 6" high raised bed and covered with leaves for over wintering. The other 50% I planted in a pot and left it in a south facing window until they died back. I overwintered the pot indoors. Surprisingly I harvested some stigmas from both ways and am now anxiously awaiting to see if any survived. A WORD OF WARNING: never, ever, sneeze when laying out your stigmas to dry....***poof***, harvest gone!
@@val2937 😄
Are these perennial?
Yes, they are.
I tried planting them in spring and they died back like other crocus in my hot dry summer. I haven't seen signs of them. Do you think they could still be alive?
Try digging in the soil and see if you can find a corm. See if it is dried out, mushy and rotten, or just waiting to grow.
❤
So I could potentially make this turn into a weed and make everyone find their own? Haha
525 bulbs for .250 grams lol