Grow saffron at home

In this article, we consider saffron - growing a plant at home. You will learn how to grow saffron on a windowsill and which variety to choose. We will tell you how to take care of the plant, harvest and store the crop, and how to protect the spice from diseases and pests.

Description of the plant

Saffron (crocus) is a perennial bulbous plant of the Iris family. The homeland of growth is Southern Europe and Asia. The plant is cultivated in the Crimea, the Middle East, Western China.

Appearance (photo) of sowing saffron

Saffron has the following characteristics:

• height - no more than 20 cm;
• flower diameter - up to 4 cm;
• bulb size - 2-3 cm;
• flowering period - spring or autumn (depending on the species);
• after flowering, small angular seeds ripen in capsules.

From one rounded or flattened bulb covered with dry light fibers, an underdeveloped stem, several narrow leaves, and then one flower sprout.

The plant rarely blooms a second or third time. The color of the six-petalled flower can be pale blue or purple. Yellow and white flowers are typical for ornamental crocuses, which are not used as a spice or medicinal plant.

After the opening of the flower, three stigmas (stamens) are visible inside. It is from them that a fragrant spice is made for coloring and flavoring confectionery, making cheese, sausages and liqueurs.

Types of saffron

Today there are 300 known varieties of crocus. They are divided into two large groups - autumn and spring, taking into account the time of planting and flowering. In the wild, plants are practically not found, but on an industrial scale huge plantations are planted for growing saffron for sale.

Depending on the country - the manufacturer of purchased saffron is:

• Spanish - the Coupe variety is valued higher than the Superior, because the upper parts of the stigmas are used in the production, which are more fragrant and bright in color;
• Kashmir - this species is produced in the north of India, its characteristic feature is thin veins of a dark burgundy-purple hue;
• Iranian is the cheapest type of saffron, since 80% of the world's spices are grown in Iran.

To grow saffron at home, you need to buy Crocus sativus bulbs or seeds. Only from it can you get an expensive seasoning.

Growing saffron at home

Saffron can be grown at home

Experienced gardeners claim that growing saffron at home is difficult, but everyone can get healthy plants and harvest.

Seed selection

To grow saffron at home, which will bloom in the first season, it is better to take adult bulbs.

If you choose a different seed, you will have to wait longer:

• bulbs - babies will bloom in a year;
• plants grown from seeds - after 2 years.

When purchasing crocus bulbs, inspect each one. Good onion:

• has no traces of mechanical damage;
• evenly colored, without dark spots, yellowish-brown dry blotches;
• dense, without flaking scales;
• on the bottom there is no rot, black spots, sprouted roots.

If you chose saffron seeds, then also inspect each for integrity and signs of disease.... Do not plant damaged seeds as they will infect healthy plants.

When buying a finished plant, do not transplant it immediately to a new location. Wait for the plant to bloom, pass the resting phase, and only then transplant it into a pot or container.

Planting saffron

When learning how to grow saffron at home, it is important to remember a few simple rules.

The plant does not tolerate:

• excess moisture - when waterlogged, the bulbs rot;
• shadow and drafts;
• heavy, poor soils.

Bulb planting

You can plant saffron with bulbs or seeds.

The best time for planting an autumn crocus with bulbs is late May - early July. Use flower pots, boxes or special containers with gutters as containers.

Buy a ready-to-use bulb mixture. She must be:

• loose;
• porous;
• not prone to lump formation.

If the soil does not meet these criteria, then add river sand calcined in the oven (250 grams of sand per 1 kg of soil) or peat (in a 1: 1 ratio). If the soil is dry, then water it, plant the saffron only after a day. The soil should dry out.

The bulbs are planted at a distance of 5-8 cm from each other with the roots down. You don't need to deepen them. On the surface, you should barely see the "tail" from which the saffron seed will sprout.

Seed planting

Large seeds of autumn saffron are planted in April in rows to a depth of 2 cm. Small ones are laid out on the surface. In both cases, the distance between plants is 5-8 cm. Only small seeds should be sprayed from a spray bottle.

Cover the seeds with foil or glass until they germinate, but do not allow condensation to accumulate. Remove it daily while airing the plantings.

The optimum temperature after planting, regardless of the type of planting material, is not higher than 9 degrees Celsius. Choose a location where the unsprouted plant will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

Plant care

As soon as a sprout appears, resume watering and move the flower to a room where the temperature is higher - up to plus 21 degrees. Gently loosen the soil every two weeks, being careful not to damage the bulbs. Water no more than once a week.

After the plant has faded, which can happen one to three times, carefully cut off the dead leaves and move the pot to a cool place. While the crocus is "underground", that is, in the dormant stage, it is not necessary to water it.

Feed the growing crocuses every six months with liquid fertilizer containing potassium and phosphorus. Do not use nitrogen fertilizers.

Transplant the plants into new, enriched soil every 5 years, or add a layer of peat during the dormant period.

Reproduction

Propagate sowing saffron with bulbs. Since the plant does not like transplants, it is necessary to separate the “babies” from the mother bulb every 3-5 years.

Only after the ground part is completely dry, dig up the bulbs. Peel them from the ground, trim the roots, lay them in a cool, dark place until the root part is completely dry. Store "babies" in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

For more information on planting crocuses and saffron, see the video:

Diseases and pests

Saffron is an unpretentious plant. It easily tolerates drought and low temperatures. The main problem is leaf rust.

This disease occurs due to the introduction of nitrogen fertilizers, waterlogging of the soil and high temperatures. The first signs of the disease are the appearance of small light spots on the front of the leaves. Then they become larger and darker, and “bubbles” (pustules) appear on the back of the leaf - first white, then rusty.

With leaf rust, the leaves curl, and then the plant itself dies.

For treatment:

• remove damaged leaves;
• treat the saffron with an insecticide (bordeaux liquid, copper sulfate).

For the prevention and successful cultivation of saffron at home:

• follow the recommended watering regime;
• water the saffron only at the root, without touching the stem and leaves;
• do not plant plants too close to each other;
• do not feed with nitrogen fertilizers.

Harvesting

It is best to pick saffron stigmas on the first day of flower opening. Remember that the flowering period is only 3 days. It is important to be in time so that the stigmas do not wither and lose their value.

Trim the opened flower carefully. Separate the stigmas, place them on a napkin and transfer to a sunny, draft-free place. Only eat saffron after the stigmas are completely dry.

Saffron storage

Transfer the dried saffron stigmas to a dry, airtight container. Store the spice in a cool dry place.

You can fry them, grind them into powder, or infuse them, depending on the recipe.

What to remember

1. Follow the basic rules of how to grow saffron: buy Crocus sativus bulbs and special soil for bulbous plants, do not get carried away with watering and do not use nitrogen fertilizers.
2. Cut off the stigmas of the saffron on the first day of flowering.
3. Transplant the plants into new soil every 5 years, at the same time separating the "babies" from the mother's bulb.

One of the most valuable commodities of all time has been spices. Many states competed for the right to access these exotic spices, and sailors, trying to find a new path to spices, made many great discoveries. Today the excitement has died down, but still this product remains quite valuable. Therefore, growing saffron can be a profitable undertaking.

Saffron has the highest cost of all spices. Compared to manufacturing, shipping and saving costs, the selling price is quite high. Business for the production and sale of spices has a lot of nuances, therefore, before drawing conclusions, you should familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of this business.

Exotic spice

Crocus flowers are used to make saffron. After the plant has bloomed, the pistils are carefully collected, dried and ground. In this way, "red gold" is obtained, as saffron is also called. One kilogram of spice is obtained from 70 thousand crocus flowers. On the market, the average wholesale cost of saffron ranges from 450-700 dollars per 1 kg. The cheapest saffron is produced in Iran, and the most expensive and high quality in Greece.

In addition to making the spices themselves, you can grow and sell crocus seeds, which is also very profitable. For this, the same sown areas are used as for grain crops, but the yield is much higher. Another benefit of saffron is that it is a perennial plant. Despite the fact that this is a rather exotic business idea, nevertheless the conditions of our climate allow us to embody a new business idea and successfully grow and produce saffron.

Saffron fields

Saffron production

About 150 crocus flowers need to be processed to produce one gram of pure, dried product. From a sown area of ​​1 hectare, 8–20 kg of cooked spices are obtained. Considering the high retail price, these are good production figures. In the markets of most countries, 1 g of "red gold" is sold for an average of $ 10. It turns out that in order to sell goods for 10 thousand dollars, it is necessary to process only 7 acres of land. These figures are based on the average yield of the plant. We sow an area slightly larger than a standard vegetable garden with a perennial crop and get our 10 thousand dollars a year. Agree, it sounds good.

Everything is simple, provided there is an established distribution channel.The demand for this product is mainly formed by catering establishments, markets for the sale of spices, wholesale markets, simply interested buyers. There is also the option of selling through the site. You can deliver saffron packed in an envelope or other interesting packages, giving discounts to those who order more than 5 g. To get started, you don't have to invest a lot of money, you can just try to grow crocus at home.

It will cost you almost nothing, and in return you will receive invaluable experience and the most expensive spices in the world. In addition, saffron, in addition to its unsurpassed aroma, has the properties of an aphrodisiac, which is also not a sin to use. Plus, like all other spices, it has a healing effect, in particular, relieves fatigue, gives clarity to the mind, and tones the body.

The first crocus flowers bloom in early spring

Biological nuances of growing saffron

For a successful crocus planting and a high yield, you should pay attention to the biological characteristics of this flower. The flower can be of different shades - thick yellow, lilac, blue, pale blue, lilac. The bulb should be in the form of a drop. Several six-petalled flowers, stretched upward, can grow from it. The foliage is usually dark green in color with a characteristic whitish stripe in the center. Good weather conditions are necessary for flowering. Saffron usually blooms in late autumn or early spring. This flowering time is typical for herbaceous plants from the genus of perennial corms belonging to the iris family.

For a change, you can also try growing stevia and goji with crocus. Their mutual cultivation does not affect the yield. One of the main points to which you should pay special attention is the propagation of saffron. To do this, parts or bulbs are separated from the main bulb and planted separately. It is customary to plant spring crocus varieties in August, and blooming in late autumn in July.

Planting and breeding take place at different times. The optimal time for digging out the bulbs is determined by the degree of yellowing of the leaves of the plant. After they are dried and preserved until disembarkation. It goes without saying that before purchasing the bulbs, it is necessary to properly examine and check them for infection with a fungus or other parasites.

Pestle selection - laborious, manual labor

Optimal conditions for high yields of saffron

First of all, you need to monitor the temperature. She is very important for this plant. Saffron should be kept in a well-lit room and regularly warmed up by the sun's rays. Swampy soil is contraindicated for this plant. The land should be well-drained and fertile. A small amount of sand, as well as old manure prepared in a special way, will not hurt.

Although saffron is a perennial plant, don't forget about sowing. The optimal number of year changes on one soil is five. If this factor is not taken into account, it is possible to severely deplete the land, which will lead to a decrease in yield, and possibly to the death of the seedlings themselves. To maintain the soil in good condition, it is advised to use mineral or other fertilizers. But you need to be careful not to harm. A minimum of chemical components, a maximum of naturalness. If you take good care of the steams, they will be able to withstand a certain cold.

A bountiful harvest

Harvested mainly in the month of October. It is important to remember that as soon as the saffron blooms on the same day, you need to collect all the flowers. In general, flowering lasts about two weeks. A flower that has just appeared must be picked on the day of flowering. Further, stigmas are obtained from these flowers. They look like red-orange threads. After they are dried in the sun.

To successfully run such a business, you will need a large area of ​​land. Moreover, the soil must be of high quality and fertile. Also, a lot depends on the climate conditions in the territory.With a successful combination of these factors and a greater desire to achieve the set goals, it makes sense to take on the cultivation of "red gold" and build a successful business in this interesting area.

You can create an apiary next to the saffron fields, which will allow you to increase profits and sell exotic honey.

Saffron (analogue: crocus) is a decorative perennial unpretentious plant. It blooms in early spring and late autumn. Planted with seeds and bulbs, children. Crocuses are more often grown with bulbs than seeds. Grown in open ground and planting containers on the windowsill. A large percentage of successful germination depends on proper seed and soil preparation. We will tell you in the article how to grow saffron at home.

Crocuses are a low-growing plant with tuberous bulbs. The height of the crocuses is about 10-12 cm, the diameter of the flowers is 3-4 cm, the size of the bulbs is 2-3 cm.

In what cases are crocuses grown by seeds

Planting time depends on the type of plant. Spring saffron is planted in mid-September. Autumn varieties - in April... Experienced growers recommend sowing freshly harvested seeds. Such seeds are distinguished by a high percentage of germination and form stronger and healthier sprouts.

Crocus cultivation by seeds is practiced by:

• for reproduction of valuable and rare crocus varieties;
• to obtain a large amount of planting material;
• for growing botanical crocuses;
• for growing autumn varieties of crocuses;
• for growing varieties that reproduce poorly vegetatively

Tip # 1. Sprouted crocus sprouts are very small and fragile, so sowing is done in special planting containers.

To prevent seeds from losing their germination, they should be stored in the lower compartment of the refrigerator in a glass container with a tight lid. This storage method will avoid drying out of the seeds, and when planting, you will not need to go through the stratification procedure. Store seeds in the refrigerator for no more than 5-6 months. Read also the article: → “When to plant crocuses? Growing and caring for crocuses. "

Seed and soil preparation

Seed germination will be high if before sowing:

• soak for a day in warm water with the addition of a growth stimulant;
• stratify (refrigerate for 2-3 days);
• disinfect (soak for 30 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate);
• carry out the procedure for bubbling with air or oxygen.

Disinfection of seeds is not recommended without a soaking procedure, since dry saffron seeds can be burned even with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Prepare the soil before planting seeds in containers or pots.

• It is better to purchase the soil ready-made in specialized flower shops, since the growth and development of young shoots depends on the quality of the soil.
• The soil for sowing crocus seeds is chosen loose, without impurities. To make the soil porous and not form into lumps, add white or gray sand.
• To improve the substrate of the soil mixture, river sand is used: 200-250 g is added per 1 kg of soil. river sand. Before mixing sand with soil, sift, wash and disinfect in the oven. White, gray and river sand does not contain iron oxide and clay impurities, which means it does not harm the root system of the plant.
• Instead of sand, peat is used as a loosening component of the soil for growing crocuses with seeds. Peat is distinguished by natural biological sterility, as well as by the fact that the natural acidity of peat does not go beyond the normal range. The advantages of peat - a porous structure, air permeability and moisture capacity - what is needed for easy seed germination.
• Despite the fact that the soil with sand and peat belongs to the category of a poorly nutritious mixture, it is not recommended to mix fertilizers into the soil, since the seeds of crocuses are already distinguished by a high content of nutrients, which is considered sufficient for the germination and development of future seedlings.

The growth and development of young crocus plants is 70% dependent on the structure of the soil. The looseness and sterility of the soil mixture are the determining conditions for the successful germination of seeds.

Tip # 2. To lower the acidity of the soil, it is enough to add 40-50 gr for 2-3 kg of soil mixture. fine limestone or powdered chalk and 20-30 gr. dolomite flour

Sowing saffron seeds: sowing scheme, watering and care

For sowing crocus seeds, large, whole seeds, without defects, are selected. Such seeds are planted to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. If the planting material is of medium size, then to a depth of 2-2.5 mm. The smallest ones do not deepen, they spread the seeds on the surface of the soil. The distance between the seeds is 5-10 cm, which will facilitate the care and protection from weeds, as well as dive the seedlings to a permanent place.

The soil is moistened in advance before sowing, it is important to prevent waterlogging of the soil. Excessive water content in the soil mixture leads to seed rot. So, experienced flower growers make up a soil mixture already from moistened components.Sowing seeds in moist soil does not require additional watering. But small seeds laid out on the surface of the soil should be poured with warm water from a spray bottle using a scattering method.

Specialists in the cultivation of decorative and rare flowers believe that the sowing depth of the seeds should correspond to the diameter of the planting material. If it was not possible to prepare a special soil from pre-moistened components, then when filling the planting containers with dry, but loose soil, it should be moistened in rows. After sowing, cover with foil and glass until sprouts appear.

Special recommendations before seedlings appear:

• do not moisten the soil;
• keep the planting containers in a dark place;
• prevent the accumulation of condensate on the surface of the covering material;
• ventilate the sowing.

Seedlings appear in 20-25 days. Seedlings begin to bloom after 3-4 years

Crocus varieties blooming in spring and autumn

The most popular varieties are presented in the table:

Spring		Autumn
Vaiolit Vengard	The flowers are large, lilac in color. Blooms in the second half of April	Pale ocher crocus	Flowers of medium size, beige and cream shade. Blooms in the first half of October.
Pallas	The flowers are large, gray in color with lilac veins. Blooms in mid-April.	Crocus beautiful	The flowers are medium, purple-lilac, longitudinal streaks of blue-white. Blooms in mid-September.
Pitter Pen	The flowers are medium, beige-cream shade with lilac touches. Blooms in mid to late April	Holoflower crocus	The flowers are medium, purple or violet. Blooms in late September.
Sky Blue	The flowers are large, lilac or bluish-silvery, blooms in mid-April	Long-flowered crocus	The flowers are medium, violet-lilac, veins are dark lilac. Blooms in mid-November

Seedling picking: soil, feeding, care

Crocus seedlings are transplanted into individual containers to expand the area of ​​their growth, nutrition, and the formation of bulbs. The seedlings dive when their height reaches 5 cm. The soil for the dived seedlings should be nutritious, since the successful development of the growing shoots depends on the development of the bulbs.

Soil for planting seedlings: form the same in which the seeds were sown. (Loose soil + peat + sand). Add a humus component. Rotted compost or any ready-made vermicompost is suitable for growing crocuses. Mixed with soil in the amount of 25% of the total mass of the soil mixture.

Recommendations:

• Disinfect containers with a liquid solution of soda or potassium permanganate.
• Place fine gravel on the bottom of the tanks as drainage.
• The components of the soil mixture must be processed: disinfect the sand by calcining in the oven, add chalk or dolomite flour to the peat to neutralize acidity.
• When buying a ready-made soil mixture, make sure that it is suitable for seedlings.

After transplanting into individual containers, the seedlings are watered with warm water and removed for 3-4 days in a lighted but cool place, and then moved to a warm room. Water the plants as the soil dries.Seedlings are fed every six months with liquid fertilizers with a high potassium content and a low nitrogen and phosphorus content.

Fertilizers with a high content of nitrogen and phosphorus are used for 3-4 years during the period of active flowering of the plant (click to enlarge)

Recommendations from an experienced grower on how to grow saffron for the New Year

There are several rules for distilling saffron by a certain date:

• Choose the right variety. Autumn crocus varieties are planted to produce a flowering plant in late winter or early spring. Spring crocuses are suitable for forcing a flowering plant before winter.
• It is better to choose varieties with large flowers that will look more colorful and impressive.
• You should not experiment and plant bulbs of different varieties in the same pot. It will end with the flowers of the low crocuses being lost in the leaves of the tall varieties of the plant.

Selection and preparation of corms

Corms must be at least 10 cm in diameter. The larger the bulbs, the faster the plant will begin to bloom, so it is not recommended to plant different sized bulbs in the same container. For forcing, corms are selected not only large, but also dense, without defects on the protective scales.

The optimal bulb size is 10-12 cm in diameter

To get a flowering plant in December or January, start preparing the bulbs from mid-August to early September. Preparation scheme: the bulbs are dried for 3-4 days at room temperature. On the 5th day, they are removed to cool in a dark place at a temperature of + 6 + 8 ° C until the beginning of September. Can be placed in the refrigerator, after wrapping them in paper.

Crocus varieties for forcing

Lovers of early forcing of bulbs should pay attention to the varieties presented in the table.

Name	Variety	Flowers
"Prince Claus"	Spring, flowers are large	The flowers are white-violet in color, the diameter of the flower is 5-6 cm. Up to 3 flowers are formed from one bulb
"Zhanneta"	Spring, flowers are medium	The flowers are of a snow-white shade, the diameter of the flower is 4-5 cm. 2-3 flowers appear from one bulb
"Pickwick"	Spring, flowers are medium	The flowers are white, silvery-violet, the diameter of the flower is 4-5 cm. Up to 2 flowers are formed from one bulb
"Tomazinni"	Spring, flowers are medium	The flowers are red and purple, the diameter of the flower is 4-5 cm. Up to 3 flowers are formed from one bulb
"Grandee"	Spring, flowers are large	The flowers are purple, lilac, lilac, flower diameter 8-9 cm. 3 flowers emerge from one bulb
"Ladjest Yellow"	Spring, flowers are large	The flowers are yellow, the diameter of the flower is 6-7 cm. 5-6 flowers grow from one bulb

Planting and forcing crocuses in pots

They are planted in loose soil mixed with sand or expanded clay. The planting capacity is a wide bowl. More than 5 large bulbs can be planted in such a dish. They are planted in moist soil, immersing them completely in the ground. The tubers should not touch the walls of the bowl and each other. They are planted at random.

After planting, do not compact the soil. For decoration, the top layer of soil can be filled with pebbles. At the end, pour abundantly with warm water and put it in the cold for rooting. The cooling period for plants is reminiscent of winter, waiting for spring. The cooling period lasts 3-3.5 months. See also the article: → "Forcing bulbs: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses at home."

The subzero temperature will help to extend the flowering period of the crocus to 2-3 weeks (press to increase)

The last stage of forcing. Ready sprouts for forcing can be considered if the height of one sprout has reached 4-5 cm. The readiness of sprouts for forcing can be determined by the density of the sprout.The plate with ready-made sprouts is moved to a bright and warmer place (room temperature + 15 + 16 ° С). Plants quickly begin to respond to temperature changes and bloom. Crocuses fade per day at temperatures above + 15 + 16 ° C.

Frequently asked Questions

Question number 1. What varieties of crocuses are grown by seeds?

Species spring crocuses are propagated by seeds, they are well tied with seeds.

Question number 2. In what place, under what conditions are cut crocus seedlings grown?

For the first 3-4 days, it is better to keep the cut seedlings away from direct sunlight. Keep seedlings in a cool but well-lit place.

Question number 3. What fertilizers should be applied during the period of active growth of saffron seedlings?

Excessive nitrogen fertilization will lead to the formation of a large number of leaves. Feeding with phosphorus is impractical, since it is necessary for the crocus mainly at the flowering stage. For the active growth of seedlings, potassium is used, which contributes to the formation of healthy and strong corms.

Question number 4... What is the period when crocus bulbs are transplanted?

Produced during a dormant period. Crocus bulbs blooming in autumn are transplanted in June-July. In August-September, spring-flowering crocus varieties are transplanted. If it's a warm autumn, then spring varieties are planted until mid-November. Read also the article: → "When and how to plant bulbs in the fall?"

Question number 5. How many babies do the mother's corms produce?

The productivity of the education of children for each variety is different. In spring crocuses, the mother bulb forms up to 10 babies annually. Autumn crocuses up to 5.

Common mistakes when growing crocuses:

1. When sowing, the seeds are not stratified.
2. When planting, the corms have old roots and damaged scales.
3. Wanting to grow large crocus flowers, botanical varieties are chosen.

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Crocus or saffron is a bulbous plant that belongs to the Iris family. Blooming crocuses grow in nature in Central Asia and Europe and are a very beautiful sight.

Usually crocuses bloom at home at a time when the rest of the flowers have faded or have not yet begun to bloom - these are autumn and spring types of saffron. Together with other primroses, they begin the season in spring or see off autumn, delighting with bright colors.

Crocuses prefer open ground, but, like other bulbous species, they are distilled and can delight a person at any time of the year, standing on the windowsill.

These are short plants up to 25 cm in size, which grow with flowers and leaves directly from the corm. The bottom of the stem is covered with transparent scales. Flowers are unisexual with colorful corolla-shaped perianths. Inside the buds, stigmas with stamens are hidden, which have bright orange, red or yellow colors. Pollination is done by insects. From the ovary formed underground, fruits are formed in the form of capsules with seeds, which are pushed to the surface and ripen there.

The crocus flower resembles a tulip in shape. Flowers have a variety of colors: from cold purple and blue to warm yellow tones, there are also types of white.

Crocuses are very common in Spain. The cultivation of these flowers is put on stream there. But the cheapest varieties are brought from Iran or India.

Growing crocuses at home is a very exciting business. The purpose of forcing is to produce a flowering plant in the winter or by a specific date. Dutch large-flowered spring-flowering varieties are perfect for this purpose. For forcing, bulbs of the same size and variety are taken, this ensures simultaneous flowering and the same size of plants planted in a pot.

In the garden, forcing crocuses are dug out of the ground in August.Then the bulbs are kept at room temperature for two weeks and stored in a cool place. It is not always possible to make crocuses bloom at home by a certain number. This largely depends on the size of the bulb (the larger, the faster it blooms), the variety and external criteria, but it is possible to determine the approximate flowering time.

To get blooming saffron, it is necessary to keep the bulbs at rest at a temperature of 6 ... 9 degrees, without planting them in the ground. About 3 months before the time of the planned flowering, crocuses are planted at home in low containers with damp air-permeable soil. In this case, the bulbs should not touch each other and the edges of the pot. Then the planted bulbs are sent to a cold basement or refrigerator. There, within 2 months, the plant takes root and shoots. When the sprouts reach 5 cm, the flowers are taken to a room with a temperature of 11 ... 15 degrees and placed on the windowsill, where there is more light. If the room is warmer, the crocuses will grow and fade faster. With a lack of lighting, the shoots will stretch out, and the flowering will become weak. Water the plants sparingly, after the top of the ground dries out.

Under optimal conditions, 2 weeks after being placed in the room, crocuses bloom at home, and about the same flowering lasts. After flowering, the plants continue to water until all the leaves fall off. After that, they take out the bulbs, put them in storage, and everything can be repeated. Only with repeated distillation do the flowers turn out to be smaller and weaker.

By the way, crocus bulbs can be eaten: they are baked, boiled or prepared in another way. The stigmas of the plant, from which expensive medicines and spices are produced, are of particular value.