In Brooklyn it poured with rain for two days. Today, when I went out to feed The People (our name for our sparrow hordes), I happened to glance down. And there was a row of pale crocuses. I was not expecting that at all. All wrapped tightly shut, some showing an expensive tongue of scarlet. I don't think they will open - no direct sun shining on them at this time of year. I just had not thought of that.
But there they are.
Part of the Trump-therapy bulb collection, they are in fact fall-blooming, but considering how late I planted them...
I will pick them tomorrow and collect their anthers.
I'm so surprised- I would have thought they needed chilling hours, recalling regular crocus bulbs I have planted in cooler climates in the past. Oh, to grow your own saffron- this is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMarie, check out this story. I just heard it this morning on VPR while I was boiling eggs for brekkies. http://digital.vpr.net/post/growing-saffron-vermont-uvm-researcher-tests-plants-viability
ReplyDeleteThank you for that informative article...
DeleteDo you need to pick the flowers to harvest the saffron...I'm guessing, yes, but am unsure and Google isn't being helpful.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you do. I did, but if you don't mind squatting for a long time and have clever fingers you can remove the stigmas at ground level.
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