Crocus Sativus

[MurphyX]

Hello allotment people !!!

I've just been given a couple of dozen saffron bulbs (crocus sativus) and I was wondering if anyone knew whether I could still plant them and get an autumn flowering this year?

If its too late for that, should I still plant them now anyway, for flowering next autumn, or would it be best to keep them out of the ground and plant them next summer.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated  :)

[MurphyX]

[Robert_Brenchley]

I don't know about flowering this year, but unless there's a specific reason, most bulbs are better off in the ground than out of it.

[Ceratonia]

Very much doubt they'll flower this year, but you should plant them anyway. Mine took a while to bulk up enough to flower. I grow mine in deep pots, as they're easy to lose (nothing above ground to see in spring/summer). Figs with saffron is probably my favourite homegrown meal!

[Palustris]

If you look in the packets in shops you will often see them flowering. They may well flower this season, but NEXT year may be a different matter altogether. Sadly they (and the other Autumn flowering TRUE crocus) do not survive very long here.

[MurphyX]

OK thanks peeps.

I'll stick them in the ground and see what happens. Although, my heavy clay may be the end of them (apparently they like a free draining soil).

[Belinda]

What about putting some sharp sand in the bottom of the planting hole?