The Most Valuable
Spice in the World
By Mary Giambalvos, Master
Gardener
The
most valuable spice in the world will grow happily in
This fall-blooming flower produces lovely lavender petals with three astonishingly
neon red-orange stigmas protruding like threads from the center. It is the stigma that provides the unique
yellow color and haunting flavor relished in cooking and baking. Since the stigma must be hand-picked, and
about 70,000 flowers are needed to produce a pound of the spice, its cost is
understandable. The good news is it
takes only a very few threads to flavor and color a dish. The other good news is that Crocus sativus is
a snap to grow.
The plant grows from corms planted in September. If gophers or mice share your garden area,
planting in pots may be the least stressful way to go. The soil must provide excellent
drainage. Plant the corms in full sun a
few inches below the soil surface and water to keep moist but not soaked. Soon after, grass-like shoots emerge. In the
Check the plants every day because flowers pop open overnight and will remain
for only a day or two. Gently pluck the
three bright red-orange stigmas from each flower. Let dry completely on a paper towel in a dark
area. Store in an airtight
container. Harvest will only last two or
three weeks. Continue to water the
plants until they start to die back, generally in late spring. Completely withhold water from early June to
late August.
Crocus sativus corms multiply and may need to be dug up and separated after
three to five years. Over time, they
tend to produce fewer and fewer flowers.
You might want to replace them with fresh corms.
Crocus sativus corms are sold by mail-order at White Flower Farm and Nichols
Garden Nursery, and may be ordered by local garden centers. Be sure to plant the correct crocus (Crocus
sativus) if you plan to harvest the stigma.
Some other varieties of crocus are toxic.
Growing, harvesting and using home-grown true saffron may indeed add spice and
enrichment to the SLO life.
To simplify information, trade names of products and/or company names have been
used. No endorsement of named products
and/or companies is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products
and/or companies which are not mentioned.