I planted saffron corms when the temperature dropped below 35°C and its been 1 month and 4 days. There are some plants growing and some corms have developed roots but there are some plants which are turning brown from the tips and some are almost half turned brown and half green i suspect that the plant is dying. What should i do and how often should i water the plants?. The temperature is around 22-26 in the morning and 15 in the night.Suggest the water routine and the sunlight routine. I have planted the corms in fabric bags almost 4-5 inches deep and 3 inches apart
I was a bit confused at first, but I quickly realized that these temperatures are in Celsius and not Fahrenheit!
My best guess is that they are being overwatered. The soil needs to dry out, very thoroughly, down to about an inch between waterings. Consistently moist soil will cause rot.
From here, I would make sure to apply a fungicide and only water when needed.
These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/homemade-fungicide.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/saffron/growing-saffron-crocus.htm
Hi Team, I want to start growing Saffron in Africa but I need some information to make sure that it is possible. I see that I can buy the bulbs from yourselves which is great. Would you be available for a chat via Skype/other similar to discuss this further? I want to grow on about 50 acres.
We do not sell any plants or products so we are unable to help you in this endeavor.
Here is more about growing saffron:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/saffron/growing-saffron-crocus.htm
And how can I grow it in Central Asia climate
These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/saffron/growing-saffron-crocus.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/saffron/growing-saffron-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/saffron/saffron-harvesting-information.htm
ater on in the fall and winter it will. Should I wait a month before planting my saffron corms indoors?
They typically bloom in fall a year after planted. So, as long as it is still fall when you plant they should be OK.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/crocus-sativus/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/saffron/growing-saffron-indoors.htm
I read your "Growing Saffron Indoors: Care Of Saffron Crocus In The Home" post and I am a bit confused. You mention planting saffron crocus in 6 inch pot in Sept/Oct. Situate in cold room with 6 hours sun and water every other day until grass-like foliage begins to die back, usually around APRIL. At this point move the container to warmer area to simulate spring temps. The very next sentence states every other day watering at this stage should begin again. But further down you state that once saffron finishes blooming you STOP WATERING, move back to cold room for dormant period which is APRIL-SEPTEMBER. I am confused as both these info points about April-September and watering cannot be correct. Or, do you water every other day for the first season of your bulbs from October 22 through October 23? Then once your indoor crocus bloom that first season (sept/oct 23) only then do you stop watering during the April through September dormant period????? Thank you for your help. I want to be successful at growing saffron in both indoor and outdoor locations. Also, for outdoor growing, I see the bulbs are safe to -15 degrees. This area can dip below -10. Should these bulbs be covered with leaves during extreme winter temps months?Zone 5 United States
You are in USDA hardiness zone 6, so you shouldn't have any trouble growing it outside. I see what you mean about the confusing text on the indoor saffron. I had trouble sorting it, too. From what I read in other sources, the dormancy period is later, July and August. When you bring the pot into the warm environment, that is what will initiate dormancy. The foliage will die back and the heat (of summer if outside) will send it into dormancy. And use your instincts on the watering. Too much water will rot the bulbs. Let the soil begin to dry out between waterings, but water it before it is completely dry. When it is dormant, it needs little to no water.
This article is more clear on the life cycle:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/saffron/non-blooming-saffron-crocus.htm
I live in NYS, zone 6a. We've had an extended bout of warm weather BUT are predicted to have a colder than normal winter. Could they possibly bloom again in Spring? Thanks.
If they are truly saffron bulbs (Crocus sativus), they are supposed to bloom in the fall and won't bloom again in spring.
If you have spring-blooming crocus that are blooming now, they won't bloom again in spring. When a bulb starts to bloom prematurely, you can cover them up with more soil and/or mulch to try to prevent them from blooming. Spring-blooming crocus needs winter chilling to bloom, so those may not be what you have.
There is another fall blooming crocus you may have - autumn crocus (Colchicum), which is a member of the lily family.
Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/saffron/growing-saffron-crocus.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/crocus/common-crocus-varieties.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/crocus/autumn-crocus-growing.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/crocus/growing-crocus.htm
bought saffron crocus bulbs. planted in window boxxes. put in cold , dark basement for planned spring debut. Sprouting now , in the cool , dark. should I bring them upstairs to partial sun , house temps or just let them be until spring and put them outside in full sun then ?
Likely, it is not cool enough to initiate dormancy. This storage temperature should be between 35 and 45 degrees to halt growth. Even then, they can have an issue with sprouting due to any moisture being present. Personally, I would store these out of soil using a method that allows you to keep them dry and dark.
You can choose to let it go, and reduce flowering, or you can force it back into dormancy until very early spring.
Personally, since you are well within their growing limits, I would let them go dormant outside. This would be a surefire way to keep them dormant until spring. Expecially if you are attempting to induce dormancy in container. They aren't the easiest to keep in human made dormancy, properly.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/crocus/how-to-cure-crocus-bulbs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/crocus/growing-crocus-indoors.htm