How to Grow Saffron Crocus? Detailed Guide to Growing Methods and Precautions

Saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) is a perennial bulbous flower of the genus Crocus in the iris family, and also a common spice. The saffron crocus has slender, delicate young foliage and tender, elegant flowers in a variety of colors with a distinctive fragrance. It is both a favorite in herb gardens and a famous flower for garden accents or as a potted plant for desk display. Below are the growing methods and precautions for saffron crocus.

I. Growing Methods for Saffron Crocus

1. Planting

Prepare the potting soil in advance, choosing a fertile, loose soil rich in humus. When selecting corms, be sure to choose healthy ones that are large and plump, with no mold spots or disease spots.

In autumn, plant the corms in flower pots. In principle, one plant per pot, but depending on the size of the plants and the pot, 4-6 plants may be planted per pot as appropriate. After planting, cover with 5-8 cm of soil.

Within one week after planting, place the pot in a cool, ventilated spot; after one week, it can be moved to a bright location for care.

2. Watering

Saffron crocus is usually planted in autumn, and its growing period is winter and spring. The climate is cold and dry, so appropriate watering is needed.

Seedlings emerge about 20 days after planting. Water once before emergence to encourage sprouting. Water once before winter sets in to protect against frost and increase soil temperature. Water once in mid-April to reduce the harm of dry, hot winds.

When watering, note that when the temperature is low, do not use ice-cold water. The water temperature should be similar to room temperature, so that the potting soil does not freeze and affect plant growth.

3. Fertilizing

Before planting, add sufficient base fertilizer to the potting soil, such as cake fertilizer, barnyard manure, burned soil, plant ash, chicken and duck manure, etc., and also apply some superphosphate.

After planting and rooting, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer with balanced nitrogen and phosphorus once every 10 days. Be sure not to apply fertilizer too concentrated, so as to avoid excessive leaf growth and affect flower bud development.

After saffron crocus blooms in October, apply 1 to 2 more applications of a quick-acting fertilizer balanced in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, to benefit the growth and development of the corms, so that the corms can store enough nutrients to bloom more and bloom well the following year.

4. Corm Storage

From late April to early May, the aboveground branches and leaves of saffron crocus gradually turn yellow, and the corms can be dug out of the pot for storage. After digging them out, sort the corms; promptly deal with corms that are rotten or have disease spots, either by treating them or throwing them away.

Place the saffron crocus corms in a gauze bag and store them in a place with little light, cool and ventilated, keeping the room dry. They can be replanted in autumn.

II. Precautions for Planting Saffron Crocus

1. Choice of Variety

For saffron crocus in winter and spring, gardeners can choose different varieties as needed when planting. It is recommended to choose spring-blooming varieties; the spring environment is relatively better, and if the corms are stored promptly after blooming, the flowering time will be longer.

2. Pot Size

For planting pots, choose clay pots with a diameter of 15-20 cm, or plastic pots with good air permeability. Plant 4-6 large corms per pot, planting in September-October. Small pots can also be used, 3-5 cm black plastic pots, with one corm per pot.