Organic Crocus 'Sativus' XL - Saffron Crocus | 7 pcs.

Organic saffron crocus

The Crocus 'Sativus' is the one and only saffron crocus and is a beautiful appearance in late autumn. It blooms around the end of October, beginning of November, when the tuber is replanted in the ground, and blooms a little earlier if the tubers have been in the ground for a year. The flower itself grows to about 15 centimeters high and blooms in a light purple color with yellow stamens and saffron, which are the red stigmas (pistils). The narrow leaves are as high as the flower during flowering, but continue to grow after flowering until April, after which they die off naturally. A good food source for the bees late in the year.

The Bloemoloog® offers you high quality tubers, sometimes with 2 flowers from a tuber and yes, they really produce Saffron! The large tubers have so much strength that they can even bloom indoors on a saucer without soil and without water due to the heat. Plant them in the garden immediately after flowering so that they can regain their strength.

Do not confuse the saffron crocus with another autumn flowering crocus such as the Crocus 'Speciosus' or the poisonous Colchicum 'Autumnale' which also blooms in autumn!

Culinary use

Adding saffron to dishes not only gives a beautiful golden color, but also adds a unique flavor.

In addition, it is important to mention that saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world due to the labor-intensive harvesting process. It requires manual picking of the flower's red stigmas (pistils), resulting in a small yield per flower.

As soon as the flower opens, the red threads (stigmas or pistils) can be harvested with tweezers.

These can be dried in the oven for fifteen minutes at 50 degrees Celsius. Then store the saffron in an airtight preserving jar for a month so that the aromas can fully develop. After this, it is ready to be used in the kitchen to add color and flavor to dishes. It adds a delicious flavor to paella, cake or soup, for example!

How, where and when do I plant tubers of the saffron crocus?

The tubers of the saffron crocus are planted from August to September 16. The planting depth is 2 to 3 times the height of the tuber itself and the planting distance is 2 to 3 times the width of the tuber itself. Plant her in groups for a beautiful effect. The best location is in full sun. Make sure she gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day so she can gain strength for the following year.

Plant it in a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Loam soil is acceptable, preferably a loose sandy soil. The soil should not be too heavy, because the water must be able to drain well to prevent tuber rot.

Care of the saffron crocus

The tubers can remain in the ground for several years of flowering. For best results, remove the tubers from the ground in June or July and store them in a warm place in the shed. Replant the tubers in September. If necessary, provide annual organic food for best results.

We recommend Bio-Kultura for organic potting soil, plant food or other soil improvers!

Propagation

The Crocus 'Sativus' does not propagate via seed because it is an infertile (sterile triploid) hybrid. During flowering, new tubers grow on top of the old tuber. These can be separated early in the summer and planted again in different places in August or September.

Medicinal use

Because of its mood-improving effect, saffron is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders and various other conditions such as obesity, Alzheimer's disease and certain eye disorders. These medicinal properties are due to the presence of safranal and crocin, substances that naturally occur in saffron.

Safranal is an aromatic compound responsible for the characteristic smell of saffron. It also has proven antidepressant and sedative properties. Crocin, on the other hand, is a carotenoid pigment responsible for the intense color of saffron and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, it is important to note that while saffron has promising properties, it is not a substitute for professional medical treatment.
Always consult a doctor before using saffron or any other herbal or nutritional supplement as part of a treatment plan.

Origin of the saffron crocus

The Crocus 'Sativus' is a hybrid (cross) that does not occur in the wild. Thousands of years ago, approximately during the Bronze Age, it probably originated in Crete through plant breeding and has been cultivated ever since.

The history of the saffron crocus has a rich and fascinating background. The cultivation of saffron dates back to at least 3,500 years ago, and it has played a prominent role in several ancient civilizations.

One of the oldest known cultures to use saffron was ancient Egypt, where it was prized as a precious spice, as well as as a dye for fabrics. Saffron was used in the temples in religious ceremonies and rituals, and there is even evidence that it was used in the embalming of mummies.

Interestingly, the Arabic word "asfar" has the meaning "yellow", while "za'ferân" refers to "dyeing with yellow". This indicates that saffron, like turmeric, has been used by Eastern cultures for centuries as both a coloring and flavoring agent.

Saffron's popularity spread further to the Greeks and Romans, who used it in culinary applications, as a medicinal remedy and as a perfume. Saffron was also valued for its therapeutic properties and used in the treatment of various health conditions.

During the Middle Ages, saffron reached Europe, where it became an important trade product. It was mainly grown and traded in areas such as Spain, Italy and the Middle East. The town of Saffron Walden in England even owes its name to the saffron cultivation that once flourished there.

Saffron was valued not only for its taste and color, but also for its high value. It was used as a means of payment, a commodity and even a status symbol. This sometimes led to speculation and counterfeiting, with traders attempting to pass off products as genuine saffron.

Today, saffron remains one of the most expensive spices in the world, mainly due to the labor-intensive harvesting process. It still requires manual picking of the fragile stigmas, which makes for a limited and costly yield.

Organic Crocus 'Sativus' - Skal NL-BIO-01 certified: 109459

Packed per 7 pieces or choose more for less in the form of a stacking discount.

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Characteristics

Other crocus species

NL-BIO-01