For the last 5 years I've been buying saffron corms from a company based in Holland. They've been 9 cm+. I used to buy corms at local nurseries and I'd be lucky to get a 5 cm corm. Last year I decided to offer them to some local gardeners and that went well so now I'm offering them to fig people. I'll give you more background below but basically they're fall blooming crocuses growing in zones 6-9. In Zone 5 you might be able to put them 9" down at the south or west side of houses or rocks but no guarantee. They need it to be cool while green and growing.
They arrive from my supplier in late Sept and I ship them to you right away. You plant them ASAP about 6" down. I plant mine 12" apart in all directions so I don't have to lift and replant very often. Other common spacing can be anywhere from 2-6" apart in a row and rows from 10 - 20" apart. They need good drainage and like some organic matter in the soil. They like to be dry or at least well drained in the summer but with enough water when growing mid Sept to mid January in a bad winter, all the way to mid May in a mild winter. I fertilize mine.
The fees start at 52 cents/corm plus shipping, no international orders. Prices can go up as the year progresses so if you order after Jan 15 ask me first. I will ship to everywhere in the US except Hawaii but if your state confiscates it I will not be responsible and you will not get a refund. They will not have a phytosanitary stamp on the outside. Minimum order 15 corms. The saffron will arrive at my place in late September and I will ship it with tracking when I get it, first come, first served. You can expect it by Oct 10 assuming no horrible postal problems and you should plant and water it right away. PM me with what you want and I'll give you my pp address.
I will tell you that everyone who ordered less than 100 last year are sorry they did so and are ordering 100 or more this year.
Shipping:
up to 20 corms 6.35
21-200 corms 14.15
200-50,000 corms ask
Now for some background:
Saffron is the world's most expensive spice. When you grow it at home you should be able to get a much more potent batch than anything you can get at the store. Typically 1 gram of past crop, non certified saffron threads will cost you about $10. Fresh home grown saffron will require 1-2 threads per person per meal. Estimates for store bought saffron go anywhere from 6 to 20 threads per person per meal. Saffron leaves look like a cross between pine needles and grass. The flowers are purple and smell sweet. The saffron is the red part of the flower and only that part is the saffron. You remove the red part and you must dry that before use. Google saffron recipes for further info. It makes great savory dishes, bread and desserts.
Scroll down if the info you want isn't here. I've collected all the questions from PMs and answered them later in the thread.
The saffron flowers as they appear after a few years in ground
A Saffron flower showing leaves and the style with 3 red threads attached at the bottom
Saffron removed from the flower but not yet dried. Each group of 3 comes from 1 flower.
A different view
The dried saffron, ready to use.
They arrive from my supplier in late Sept and I ship them to you right away. You plant them ASAP about 6" down. I plant mine 12" apart in all directions so I don't have to lift and replant very often. Other common spacing can be anywhere from 2-6" apart in a row and rows from 10 - 20" apart. They need good drainage and like some organic matter in the soil. They like to be dry or at least well drained in the summer but with enough water when growing mid Sept to mid January in a bad winter, all the way to mid May in a mild winter. I fertilize mine.
The fees start at 52 cents/corm plus shipping, no international orders. Prices can go up as the year progresses so if you order after Jan 15 ask me first. I will ship to everywhere in the US except Hawaii but if your state confiscates it I will not be responsible and you will not get a refund. They will not have a phytosanitary stamp on the outside. Minimum order 15 corms. The saffron will arrive at my place in late September and I will ship it with tracking when I get it, first come, first served. You can expect it by Oct 10 assuming no horrible postal problems and you should plant and water it right away. PM me with what you want and I'll give you my pp address.
I will tell you that everyone who ordered less than 100 last year are sorry they did so and are ordering 100 or more this year.
Shipping:
up to 20 corms 6.35
21-200 corms 14.15
200-50,000 corms ask

Now for some background:
Saffron is the world's most expensive spice. When you grow it at home you should be able to get a much more potent batch than anything you can get at the store. Typically 1 gram of past crop, non certified saffron threads will cost you about $10. Fresh home grown saffron will require 1-2 threads per person per meal. Estimates for store bought saffron go anywhere from 6 to 20 threads per person per meal. Saffron leaves look like a cross between pine needles and grass. The flowers are purple and smell sweet. The saffron is the red part of the flower and only that part is the saffron. You remove the red part and you must dry that before use. Google saffron recipes for further info. It makes great savory dishes, bread and desserts.
Scroll down if the info you want isn't here. I've collected all the questions from PMs and answered them later in the thread.
The saffron flowers as they appear after a few years in ground
A Saffron flower showing leaves and the style with 3 red threads attached at the bottom
Saffron removed from the flower but not yet dried. Each group of 3 comes from 1 flower.
A different view
The dried saffron, ready to use.
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