Planting HerbsA guide to planting herbs–their cultivation, preserving and usage

Everyone is familiar with Crocus, the harbinger of spring. But the Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) is a fall-blooming species that yields an important spice.

A fancy spice from a charming bulb

Saffron, the yellow spice, is obtained from the flowers of the Saffron Crocus, Crocus sativus. It is an important spice for coloring and flavoring certain foods, and was also once used as a dye. In fact, the genus name Crocus is from the Greek and means “saffron.”

Origin unknown

The genus Crocus is found mainly in the Mediterranean region, but ranges as far east as Afghanistan. The native home of Crocus sativus is uncertain but is thought to be Asia Minor. It has been known in cultivation for thousands of years and was even mentioned in the Bible. Saffron Crocus is grown commercially in many parts of the world but the finest quality saffron comes from southeastern Spain.

Blooms in fall

In general, Crocuses can be divided into two groups: the winter and spring blooming species. Many people are familiar with the spring-blooming types. Usually the first flowers to bloom in spring, they often appear while snow is still on the ground. Their arrival is warmly greeted after the long cold winter.

Saffron Crocus belongs to the fall-blooming group. The flowers and leaves begin to appear at the same time, usually around October. The grass-like leaves eventually reach a length of 1-1 1/2 feet, but the 1 1/2-2 inch wide flowers rise barely more than an inch above the ground. The fragrant flowers are lavender or reddish-purple with spreading petals. The styles have three long blood-red, drooping, stigma lobes, from which the yellow saffron spice is harvested. The anthers are also bright yellow but are not a source of the spice.

Unusual Spice

Although not widely used, Saffron is nevertheless a crucial ingredient in certain dishes. Many Spanish dishes, in particular paella, require Saffron. Saffron is also used in bouillabaisse and to color and flavor rice.

The spice is obtained from the red stigma lobes of the flowers. They must be harvested by hand and approximately 70,000 flowers are required to make one pound of the spice. It is easy to see why Saffron is the most expensive of all the spices!
___________________________________________________________________________

Through the year with the Saffron Crocus

Grow it in a pot or windowbox, or in the garden, where it will be hardy only in the south. Saffron requires full sun and blooms best in areas with hot summers.

Plant in July-August
Plant the corms as soon as they can be obtained. Put them in a rich, sandy, well-draining soil mix. Use regular potting soil with 25% extra sand added, or an equal mixture of peat moss, sand, and perlite or pumice. Plant six to eight bulbs in a six-inch pot, three to four inches deep. Water thoroughly, but not again until the leaves appear. Place the pot in a warm sunny spot.

Blooms in September-November
Flowers and leaves begin to appear September-November, depending on when the bulbs were planted. Flowering continues for about four weeks. Water regularly and do not allow the soil to become dry. A single application of liquid fertilizer is usually all that is needed.

Green from December-April
Continue watering regularly, but do not let the soil become soggy or let the pot stand in water. The leaves will begin to yellow and wither toward early spring and watering should be reduced.

Divide in May-June
Lift and divide the corms at least every two to three years or even annually. Clean the corms and replant them immediately in fresh soil. Place the pot in a hot, sunny spot for
the summer and do not water until the leaves appear again in the fall.

How to harvest Saffron
Pick the stigmas as soon as the flowers open. Dry them immediately in the sun on newspaper or on screens over bottom heat. As soon as the Saffron has dried, store it in
an airtight container out of the light.
___________________________________________________________________________

Plant Doctor

Crocuses are rarely attacked by pests or diseases, but if grown outdoors, protect from birds and small animals.

–No flowers. The plants have either not had enough sun, or have not been divided often enough. Keep the pot in a hot sunny area in summer.

–The bulbs rot. The soil is either too heavy or kept too wet during the summer dormant period. Plant in a sandy, porous soil and keep dry after the foliage withers.
___________________________________________________________________________

Buying Tips

Saffron Crocus will usually need to be ordered from a mail-order bulb nursery. Order and plant as early as possible.

Lifespan: Years, if divided frequently.

Season: Autumn.

Difficulty quotient: Not particularly easy.
___________________________________________________________________________

In Brief

Size and growth rate
Perennial, deciduous cormous plants with 1-1 1/2 foot long grassy leaves. New corms are formed each year on top of the old ones.

Flowering and fragrance
1 1/2-2 inch wide fragrant flowers grow close to the ground. They are lavender or reddish-purple with yellow anthers and red stigma lobes which yield the Saffron spice.

Light and temperature
Saffron Crocus need a great amount of warmth to produce flowers, Place plants in the hottest, sunniest spot available.

Watering and feeding
Water regularly during the growing season and reduce watering as foliage withers. Keep dry in summer. Little fertilizer is needed; one application at the beginning the growing season is sufficient.

Soil and transplanting
Sandy, well-drained soil is required. Use regular potting soil with added sand or mix some from equal parts sand, peat moss and perlite. Plants should be lifted and divided in early summer every year, or at minimum every two to three years. Replant immediately.

Grooming
None except to harvest the Saffron if desired.

Propagating
By division.

Environment
Saffron Crocus is an interesting and unusual spice plant that will thrive best in a hot sunny window in a pot or windowbox outdoors, or planted in the garden.