> Saffron - if this is what you have - comes from crocus sativus var
> cashmirianus whose crocus like leaves come up with or just after the
> flowers and hang around all winter and spring before dying down for the
> summer
Well, I planted the bulbs in the Fall and didn't even look until about
January. At that time, narrow leaves were up. Our winter was so very
mild that I thought they must have been confused about the season.
Right now, they look exactly like they did in January.
> Its easy to tell the leaves apart - colchicums have big fat leaves,
> saffron crocus has proper crocus leaves.
Well, this looks good for me, because the leaves are very narrow, like a
"proper" crocus would have.
Thank you Kathryn!
Loren in NJ, USA
> Found your note in my "Answer" folder. How's your saffron crocus. I'm sure those "plastic " leaves are storing up energy for their fall bloom. That's really the way to get saffron for cooking. I understand they are quite easy to grow and multiply if you have the right conditions (zones 6-9 according to the McClure and Zimmerman catalogue) but often don't bloom until a year after you planted them.
Hi Kris,
It looks like the leaves are dying back now, so I assume that nothing
happens until a flower sometime in the fall. If I don't get flowers
this fall I'll give them another year before despairing. thanks
Loren in NJ
Reply from Kris Johnson to #98.6080976 From organic@AESOP.RUTGERS.EDU(Cook Organic Garden Club
Loren,
Found your note in my "Answer" folder. How's your saffron crocus. I'm sure those "plastic " leaves are storing up energy for their fall bloom. That's really the way to get saffron for cooking. I understand they are quite easy to grow and multiply if you have the right conditions (zones 6-9 according to the McClure and Zimmerman catalogue) but often don't bloom until a year after you planted them.
Kris
--- Original Note #98.6080976 From organic@AESOP.RUTGERS.EDU(Cook Organic Garden Club
Kris Johnson - gardening in
Williston, Ohio (near Toledo, close to Lake Erie, zone 6)
KRIS_JOHNSON.parti@ecunet.org
