Xref: kermit uk.rec.gardening:240588


"The Reids" wrote in message
...
Anybody tried growing it? Is the crocus available? I use a fair
amount of saffron so was considering a row on the allotment.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Wasdale-Lake district-Thames path-London "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" --
you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a
spamtrap
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C. sativus needs exceptionally dry and hot summers to mature the new
corms. Saffron is grown commercially in Spain and the Middle East. It is
very labour intensive and grown where the soil is alkaline and well drained.
With a change of climate we ought to be able to grow them again in about
100years! Posterity will do something for us!!
Many years ago I used Chase cloches covering 200 corms [costing the
earth] and after unlimited time and effort collected sufficient to equal a
couple of 2/6 [half-crown] packets,~~ before giving up after three years!!
The flowers are unusual in that they open and don't close again.
Best Wishes Brian.