How to Grow Purple Crocus for Saffron

Saffron is a dark orange-red spice available in powdered or threadlike form. The threads are actually the dried stamens, or styles, of the Crocus sativus, or saffron crocus. These are purple and occasionally white flowers that grow in United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 5-9. As the flower develops and opens, the stamens elongate, occasionally becoming so long that they hang down past the flower petals. Drying the stamens for use shrinks them; Vern Nelson notes on the OregonLive.com website that 1 lb. of saffron requires harvesting up to 85,000 flowers. Luckily it takes only a tiny portion of saffron to flavor a recipe.

Hose or bucket of water
Peat moss or ground bark (optional)
Gardening spade or small shovel
Chicken wire
Mulch or wood chips
Tweezers
Small bowl
Small pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Water the soil in the areas where you think you'll plant the crocus and observe how long it takes for the water to drain. The water should drain away in less than six hours. The website EasyToGrowBulbs.com says saffron crocus needs well-draining soil, and if you notice drainage issues, you should find another place for the flowers or add a material like peat moss or ground bark to increase the drainage.
- 2
  Dig small holes, leaving about 3 or 4 inches between each hole, and making each hole at least 2 inches deep. The Pacific Bulb Society suggests planting the bulbs about 1 to 1 1/2 feet down and ensuring the soil is healthy as a way to increase your chances of the flowers blooming.
- 3
  Inspect the bulb and place it with the point up in the hole. Cover with soil and water the area well.
- 4
  Place a mat of chicken wire across the area where you planted the bulbs and cover with a material such as mulch to protect the crocuses from squirrels.
- 5
  Keep the area somewhat moist but on the drier side. Shelter the planting area if your yard receives lots of rain.
- 6
  Monitor the blooms once you see them emerge. You want to catch them just after they open.
- 7
  Tweeze or otherwise pull out the three stamens from each flower right after it opens. Place the stamens in a small bowl as you do this.
- 8
  Prune off yellowing or dying foliage as the season progresses. Leave healthy, green foliage alone. Stop watering the plants when all foliage is gone; EasyToGrowBulbs.com says this is the dormant stage of the plant.

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