Saffron

[faeflowers]

Hello there  :)  I would really like to try and grow my own Saffron (Crocus sativus)

Unfortunately I haven't managed to find a UK supplier and was wondering if anyone has either bought bulbs or has any experience of growing them?

Thanks

Fae

[faeflowers]

[Ceratonia]

I've grown Saffron for a few years. Originally got my bulbs from the museum in Saffron Walden - saffron growing was the main industry there in the middle ages.

In an old issue of The Kitchen Garden, they interviewed a lady who is the UK's only commercial grower - Caroline Riden at Caer Estyn near Wrexham. I think she offers it for sale. I think also Thompson&Morgan and DeJaeger bulbs have offered it, too.

Goes very nicely with figs from the garden. Not a crop you get a big yield from!

[Jesse]

I'm taking part in a bulk order at another forum, I'll see if I can find out who the supplier is for you. :)

[faeflowers]

Thank you both  :)

It's something I've been thinking of trying for awhile, being in Lancashire I wasn't too sure whether I would get any yeild at all? I have heavy clay soil at my allotment which I'm slowly improving, I was thinking of growing it in pots in our south facing back yard, hoping it would be happy there.

Any other advice would be very welcome

Fae

[Ceratonia]

The booklet I got from the museum says they like a sandy loam. I am somewhat sceptical about this, as the soil around Saffron Walden is a chalky clay. They like plenty of sun in summer, then the drop in temperature in October causes them to flower. Sometimes the flowers come before the leaves. I think mine took a couple of years to bulk up enough to flower.

I have them in pots, but that is mainly because there is nothing above ground to see in summer and it avoids losing them. They get no attention at all, other than the harvest.

The tradition in a village near to me was to brew a special strong beer to be used by the pickers, which seems strange given that it is fairly fiddly.

Had a quick look through some of my bookmarks and the following might be worth a try.

http://rareplants.co.uk/ has them listed, but marked as out of stock.
http://www.pottertons.co.uk/catalog/index.php lists them also.

[amphibian]

Weird, I was thinking about growing Saffron, and suddenly I notice this thread.

4,000 flowers for one oz...

[faeflowers]

Hi Ceratonia  :)

Thank you so much for the links, I'm going to order them from Pottertons.

I'm going to go for growing them in pots, and possibly join in the tradition of the strong beer thing too!

Hopefully it will be sunny this summer so I can give them what they need, I can't see any problems with the temperature drop in October, I have to bring all my houseplants in by September.

Thanks again

Fae

[Truffle]

Wow!

Saffron- I have never thought about growing this before, definitely going to try it now...

Truffle

[bennettsleg]

Weird, I was thinking about growing Saffron, and suddenly I notice this thread.

4,000 flowers for one oz...

And you only need a few strands (a pinch) to get the desiered effect and flavour, too much in a dish and it can begin to taste metal-y.  It depends on whether you use loads of the stuff or want to sell it.

[faeflowers]

:) I haven't even introduced myself! how rude am I?! And thank you all for replying! This really is a welcoming site!

Just to let you know - I'm fairly normal, well 'ish'

I live in Burnley and I have had a courtyard garden (back yard) for approximately 10 years, it's amazing, a complete little eco-system within such a small area, and an allotment since November 2005. A complete enthusiast! My OH is getting it eventually - got no choice! Oooo! Plants or Golf? Plants or Golf? Plants or Golf?!

By the way, the first encounter I ever had with saffron was in an indian restaurant - Pistachio ice-cream with 3 strands of saffron gently spooned in, and one on top (just to look expensive) beautiful!

For my new correspondents - a really big thank you!

Saffron is just the beginning!

Fae

PS: forgot to mention I'm working and at college getting qualifications for mucking about in the lovely stuff - mud!  ;D