Author Topic: Look what I've got... (Read 5949 times)

goodlife · « **on:** October 18, 2011, 21:58:25 »

;D..can't really brag with the quantity of the crop but even just one flower is exciting.
Now I've got 3 bits of saffron drying out.. ;D With a bit of luck there is more to follow.

Jill · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2011, 22:22:30 »

Oooh lucky you! Planted 12 bulbs last year and have four little shoots only just appearing.

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2011, 22:42:08 »

Looks like a crocus. What is it?

pumkinlover · « **Reply #3 on:** October 18, 2011, 23:04:18 »

crocus sativus- saffron crocus- I would guess

goodlife · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2011, 23:33:11 »

Yep, that's it..saffron.. ;D
Those first three strands that I collected should spice up couple of handfulls of rice.. ::)
Not much, but its better than nothing.. ;D

sunloving · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2011, 08:46:56 »

OOoh how fab, Ive heard that they are tempremental to grow how have you got on with them?
x sunloving

goodlife · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2011, 09:15:54 »

Well..I planted them into large black tub to give extra 'heat' for soil until flowering time, I made best possible planting mixture with LOADS of grit and place the tub into open space with unrestricted amount of sun... ::) Once the autumn leaves started to emerge I gave thorough watering and allowed the soil almost dry out before flooding the planter again..that is how the land is treated on 'native' growing areas. My intention was that once the flowering start I could move the planter into GH so the rain would not spoil any flowers, but..I didn't take into account the size of my planter and how heavy it would become with all the grit.. ::) so I ended up making temperary 'construction' around it...
Found good info site for saffron production...
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8564680/Growing-saffron---the-world%E2%80%99s-most-expensive-spice

manicscousers · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2011, 18:38:38 »

I've got mine in troughs in the poly, got 9 out of 10 growing :)

goodlife · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2011, 16:16:32 »

Saffron harvest is going well...4 flowers so far.... ::) ;D

I'll be flogging some of it in Ebay soon.. ;)

gazza1960 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 25, 2011, 17:21:51 »

Great news Goodlife,thats something else we can consider growing in the poly when we get one.

Dare I ask is there any particular method to grow them or is it just "finger hole..seed in and heel in""
or you you have to use a suitable growing medium.

I luv using it in curries so this would get my vote if I could grow ANY next season.

Cheers

Gazza1960

plainleaf · « **Reply #10 on:** October 26, 2011, 01:38:09 »

saffron is propagated by bulb only.

goodlife · « **Reply #11 on:** October 26, 2011, 08:37:23 »

Gazza..like plainleaf said...bulbs only.
I've spoiled my first couple of saffron bits by not drying them correctly... ::)
I finally read the whole document that I posted the link for on previous message..and there it says, saffron needs rapid drying with heat.. ::)
Last two bits I did put on small plate near woodburner and those turned out to be much better.
Oh..this saffron 'business' is turning out to be long learning curve..so many small details to get right. But I love good challence.

gazza1960 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2011, 08:48:44 »

yep,thanks plainleaf,just found this bulb buying link..... :D

http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/saffron-bulbs-crocus-sativus-100-bulbs-pid4178.html

Cheers

Gazza

PS..just saw your reply Goodlife,so thanks too !!!!!! yes I will read the link on your post...its pretty indepth
from what I have read so far which is great.

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2011, 11:32:06 »

Many bulbs are very slow from seed; saffron may well be one of these. There are exceptions (regale lilies for instance) which flower in a couple of years, but the norm is to wait a lot longer than that.

manicscousers · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2011, 18:04:29 »

mine today ;D

gazza1960 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2011, 19:23:18 »

Cheers for UL the pics manicscousers,im assuming they are in a poly tunnel then.

How long since you planted to bulbs to get to that stage then..?

Gazza

manicscousers · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2011, 20:11:43 »

they were put in about beginning of october, in troughs to keep them from sluggies, on shelves in the poly. High up so they get the light :)

plainleaf · « **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2011, 23:57:16 »

Robert_Brenchley saffron crocus can not be propagated by seed at all do to it's genetic chromosomal structure.

Digeroo · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2011, 01:19:58 »

If you cannot propagate saffron from seeds how did it arrive in the first place. Are you saying that every saffron plant is a clone of every other one? Actually a bit of successful surfing found me the answer.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-03/uol-lia030410.php

goodlife · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2011, 09:51:46 »

I bet is general 'thumb of rule' that it doesn't set seed. Like with other similar 'non-seeding' plants..there is always odd rare exception...otherwise crosses would not happen. They just need that specific set of conditions to be able do so.
Now my rattling is not based on anything scientific..just my own thoughts..
Manics..your bulbs are doing well.. ;D..did you get them from Sutton's saffron sale?
It will be interesting if they still flower for you with the late planting...mine were planted July and those took weeks to show any signs growth.
I planted 30 bulbs into 2.5 ft x 1 ft 'planter'..next spring I'm going to 'sacrifice' few bulbs, dig them up and start another planter..yes, already.. ::)
My planter is actually old fashion step-aerobics step..nothing like recycling.. ;D Planting in them is best use for them... ::)..aerobics.. ::) Good thing is that they are STRONG..they will last for years to come.. ;D

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Author Topic: Look what I've got... (Read 5949 times)

pumkinlover