What is special about a crocus?
The most common ornamental crocuses bloom in early spring and are considered symbols of hope and new beginnings. These crocus are native to the Mediterranean region and are a favorite of pollinators, providing them with an early source of nectar in late winter or early spring. Crocus can flower any time from late winter to early spring. They appear on the scene very quickly. One day there will be no sign of growth and the next day you may discover them in bloom! Crocus flowers do not have stems.Friends, these days in the UK you will see crocus flowers blooming everywhere, which look very beautiful. The life of crocus flowers is not very long, it is two to three weeks. One of their advantages is that if they are planted once, they come out again every year.If Crocus are yielding more foliage than flowers, it indicates a root system issue. A mature planting may need to be dug up in the fall and transplanted to the original depth and spacing after carefully separating the bulbs that may have been strangling themselves.Flowering early in the year, they are also a great source of pollen and nectar for pollinating insects. Whether you are a novice or an avid gardener, crocuses are easy to grow from bulbs and are ideal for planting in pots or borders or naturalising in grass.Crocus look great planted in small clusters or groups. Space the bulbs between 5-15cm apart from each other. Cover back over with soil/compost. If the soil is very dry, it’s a good idea to water them in after planting to settle them.
Is crocus the same as saffron?
Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron crocus or autumn crocus, is a species of flowering plant in the iris family Iridaceae. A cormous autumn-flowering cultivated perennial, unknown in the wild, it is best known for the culinary use of its floral stigmas as the spice saffron. Saffron comes from the Crocus sativus flower, a sterile plant that requires manual planting and harvesting. Unlike some plants associated with legal restrictions, saffron is neither a drug nor a controlled substance. Therefore, its cultivation is allowed in nearly all parts of the world.It’s true. Saffron is derived from Crocus sativus, commonly known as the “saffron crocus. While blooming crocuses are as common in spring as boldly colored leaves are in autumn, the saffron crocus blooms in the fall. Saffron corms (bulbs) are planted in late summer.Corms of saffron crocus should be planted 10 cm (4 in) apart and in a trough 10 cm (4 in) deep. The flower grows best in areas of full sun in well-drained soil with moderate levels of organic content. The corms will multiply after each year, and each corm will last 3–5 years.
Why is saffron so expensive?
But what truly sets saffron apart—beyond its flavor and color—is its price. This spice is incredibly expensive because harvesting it is both delicate and labor-intensive. Only a tiny part of each flower is used, and every thread must be picked by hand. Harvesting and Using Saffron: Three stigmas are borne in the center of each purple, cup-shaped bloom. The best time to harvest the stigmas is mid-morning on a sunny day when the flowers have fully opened and are still fresh.
Why is crocus so expensive?
The irony of the Whole Foods saffron is that all saffron must be hand harvested from the Crocus sativus plant, a flower that blooms purple and blue petals in the fall. Saffron is expensive not because it’s difficult to grow, but because of the labor and tedious timing necessary to extract it from the flower. Harvesting those tiny red threads in the center—that’s the saffron, and it’s worth more than gold (literally). Saffron is pricey not because it’s hard to grow, but because picking and drying the spice is super labor- intensive.