The saffron crocus, scientifically known as Crocus sativus, is the sole source of the world’s most expensive spice, saffron. Unlike the common spring-blooming ornamental varieties, this plant flowers in the autumn, yielding the delicate, crimson stigmas sought after for their distinct flavor and coloring. Growing your own saffron requires obtaining viable corms, which are the subterranean storage organs often mistakenly called bulbs. Finding a reliable source for these corms is the foundational step toward a successful harvest.
Identifying Reputable Sources for Saffron Corms
The most dependable way to purchase saffron corms is through specialized online bulb retailers who focus on graded, certified stock. These vendors typically offer corms measured by circumference, such as 9/10 cm or 10/+ cm, and can often provide certificates of health, which is a sign of professional cultivation and storage practices. Online specialists generally have the widest selection and ensure the corms are the correct Crocus sativus species.
Local nurseries and garden centers represent another purchasing option, though their stock may be more limited in size and quantity. While supporting a local business offers convenience, these retail locations sometimes carry generic crocus mixes, which necessitates careful verification to ensure you are not buying a non-saffron variety. It is wise to inquire about the corms’ geographical origin, as a large portion of the global saffron corm supply is sourced from the Netherlands.
Direct farm suppliers or wholesale distributors offer bulk pricing and a direct relationship with the grower. These sources are often best for high-volume orders and can provide a detailed history of the corms’ growth and storage conditions. Checking independent online reviews for these specialized and direct suppliers confirms their reputation for delivering firm, healthy, and true-to-type corms.
Essential Criteria for Selecting Quality Corms
The viability and first-year flowering potential of your saffron crop is directly linked to the quality and size of the corms you select. Corms are graded by their circumference, and this measurement is a direct indicator of the energy reserves stored within the plant material. The minimum size generally recommended for first-year flowers is a circumference of 9/10 centimeters.
Corms measuring 10/+ cm contain greater stored carbohydrates, leading to a higher flower count per corm. Smaller corms (under 8 cm) will still grow and multiply, but they are less likely to produce the saffron-yielding flowers until their second or third year of growth. Checking the corms upon arrival is necessary to confirm their physical health.
A quality corm should feel firm to the touch and be free of soft spots, mold, or any visible signs of damage. Buyers must confirm they are receiving Crocus sativus, not the poisonous, visually similar Colchicum autumnale (sometimes called “autumn crocus”). The vendor should explicitly label the product with the scientific name to ensure species verification.
Timing Your Purchase and Planting Window
Saffron crocus corms operate on a distinct seasonal cycle, making the timing of your purchase and planting important. The corms require planting during their dormant period, which typically falls in late summer to early fall in the Northern Hemisphere. This planting window, generally from late August through September, allows the corms to establish roots before the autumn flowering cycle begins. To secure your desired quantity and size grade, it is often necessary to place an order with suppliers much earlier, sometimes as early as late winter or spring.
While ordering occurs early, reputable suppliers will hold the stock and ship the corms to you just before the optimal planting time, ensuring they remain dormant and ready for immediate placement in the soil. Planting the corms too late, such as mid-to-late October, can reduce the number of flowers produced in the first growing season.
The corms should be planted as soon as they are received to prevent dehydration and maximize the time available for root development before the first hard frost. Ensuring the correct timing facilitates the corm’s ability to flower in its first autumn, allowing for a timely harvest of the valuable stigmas.