Saffron crocus bulbs

[Tin Shed]

Rather tempted by the Suttons offer for saffron bulbs - anybody growing them or tempted like me?

info@news.suttons-seeds.co.uk>

[Tin Shed]

[Bugloss2009]

http://www.suttons.co.uk/Shop/Special+Offers/Saffron+Crocus+-+SPECIAL+Offer+230248.htm

can't be as simple as that surely, or we'd all be growing it already.  :)

[Flighty]

Tin Shed that link doesn't work but hopefully this one does! :)

http://www.suttons.co.uk/Shop/Special+Offers/Saffron+Crocus+-+SPECIAL+Offer+230248.htm?

[lottie lou]

Looks really tempting....  I thought saffron grew in hot countries though.

[Sholls]

They're autumn flowering, I got mine from Garden4less last year. (They're currently £1.79 for 15 sold out).

Here's a thread from last October. :)

[Unwashed]

Looks really tempting....  I thought saffron grew in hot countries though.

It was grown comercially in Saffron Walden, Essex, hence the name.

[Baccy Man]

£7.05 for 50 bulbs here:
http://www.gee-tee.co.uk/shop/crocus-and-iris/crocus-autumn-flowering/sativus

[Duke Ellington]

Tee Gee  has his own company now!!!!!!!!!!!???  :o :P  ;D

[Jayb]

Tee Gee  has his own company now!!!!!!!!!!!???  :o :P  ;D

;D

Intresting article from last year, Saffron being produced in Wales. I think I remember they were featured on one of the garden type tv programes.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/6206355/Saffron-mellow-yellow-and-delicious.html

[Tin Shed]

Thanks for giving the correct links Flighty and Bugloss.
Suttons doesn't seem like such a good deal after all - glad I asked!
Sholls - how are your crocuses doing and do you think it was aworthwhile investment in money and space on the allotment?

[Alimo]

Wow - glad I looked here before I bought from Suttons.

I'm very tempted - cornwall being an area where lots of saffron was grown.  So thanks very much for the other supplier Baccy Man.  :)

Alison

[Vinlander]

I grew some bulbs once - the flowers are pretty and it's nice having crocuses in the garden in Autumn...

I also used the stigmas in cooking - but you only get a few per flower, and you have to pick them at the right time (I forget how or when).

I was hoping they would establish and multiply but unfortunately they died out in a couple of years.

I was interested but since that was my best spot I didn't try again.

You would need huge numbers of them if (like us) you get through a couple of grams a year.

That sort of quantity would also involve hours bent double with tweezers to pick them!

I've found a website that says you only get 100g of saffron from an acre of plants - that's 16 allotments.

So, you could grow 5 grams of saffron on your allotment and (assuming it's as good as the Spanish product) it would be worth about £25. Wouldn't cover the rent and water...

Pity.