My bulbs just seem to be producing more and more bulbs, no flowers. One lot are in gritty soil and one lot in rich compost. This is their second year and I''ve already had to split them. What am I doing wrong?
You should not need to split them unless you want more bulbs. If you have originally planted the bulbs with some space between each bulb, it should be sufficient enough for expansion for few years. Saffron crocus do multiply a lot, it is normal.
This year mine haven't flowered neither and actually the growth was very late to emerge...I suspect it again to do with 'funny' weather :BangHead:
Here is VERY good source of info for saffron care.. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8564680/Growing-saffron---the-world%E2%80%99s-most-expensive-spice
Thanks for that, goodlife, I've had a look see. Hopefully it's only the weather, they seem to have gone mad reproducing again this year
Oh ta for that link - I planted some this year.
Mine went in a couple of weeks ago, and they're starting to show some green. What do I need to do, just leave them alone?
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on November 22, 2012, 18:59:05
Mine went in a couple of weeks ago, and they're starting to show some green. What do I need to do, just leave them alone?
Yep..just leave them be. If there was some fertilizer in planting media..either added by you or already in (as in MP compost) it should keep them going on for now.
I think when I got mine there was some indication that they were "guaranteed" to flower the first year. They didn't and they never have since. I think I'm on year 4 now. Some of the clumps have multiplied, and some have dwindled. Not altogether impressed. I did wonder whether I should dig them up and plant them inside the greenhouse. Any suggestions?
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They didn't and they never have since. I think I'm on year 4 now. Some of the clumps have multiplied, and some have dwindled. Not altogether impressed. I did wonder whether I should dig them up and plant them inside the greenhouse. Any suggestions?
Well..according the crocus growing advice (see link), it is advisable to lift and re-plant the corms every 4 years...so yours should be ready now.
Mine are outside in containers but covered with sheet of glass for now..keeping the worst of the weather away and they will stay now 'covered' until late summer...apparantely they need dry summer period when there is no growth visible.
We are supposed to be able to grow saffron in this country...but the way the weather has been last couple of years..it has gone totally against saffron's requirements.
I was told it didn't like waterlogging, which is why I waited till I had a raised bed ready.
OOOooooh they sound good! Has anyone had any Saffron though?
I had 5 flowers last year..not a great feast, but something to try at least. All bulbs survived from last year and produced more, but no flowers...hopefully better next year.
I had some start to flower (in an unheated greenhouse) a couple of years ago then that extreme cold spell hit them
It used to be grown here as a commercial crop, so we should be able to make it produce!