Climate

Saffron grows in areas with a Mediterranean and continental climate. The history of its development shows that the plant adapts very well and at extreme temperatures – up to 40 degrees in summer and in winter up to -20 degrees. It is due to the fact that in winter the bulbs are in hibernation. The dry and hot summer is favorable for the saffron. It develops well when the annual rainfall is in the range of 250 – 600 mm. Grows well in sunny areas, but if the summer is very dry, a watering can be done to stimulate growth and richer harvest.

If there is rain just before flowering, the yield will increase. If irrigation of saffron is necessary, it may be gravitational, sprinkling or made by drip irrigation. The best results are given by sprinkling. However, too many rainfall and very low temperatures during flowering are contraindicated, and this should be taken into account during the planting period.

Soil

For the cultivation of saffron it is good to choose areas that have not been used for cultivation in the past 3 years for crops such as potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, flowers suffering from the same diseases as saffron (daffodils, perunits, friezes, gladioli, etc.), beans, clover and others. Saffron has to go back to crop rotation after at least 5 years and the best will be after 10 years.

Saffron crocuses grow best on sunny terrains with southern exposure, well-drained fertile soils, with pH 5.8-8.0 (the ideal pH is 7.0-7.5), good clay and carbonate content, with a depth of 50-70 cm. With the proper fertilization saffron can grow well on poorer, light and sandy soils.

The terrain should have a slight slope so the water can drain. It is good for the soil to be mold and with low density. It may be clay-lime with good drainage. The plant does not like too much moisture.

It is good to pre-treat the soil in the months of April and May. If possible, it is advisable to make deep plowing in autumn. It is good to enrich the soil before planting, proper fertilization after consultation with experts significantly increases the yield of saffron. Nitrogen can be added to increase the flow of the petals, as well as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium. Adding calcium protects the plant from drought, high or low temperatures, and diseases.

PLANTING OF SAFFRON

Saffron grows in areas with a Mediterranean and continental climate. The history of its development shows that the plant adapts very well and at extreme temperatures – up to 40 degrees in summer and up to -20 degrees in winter.

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SEEDLING OF SAFFRON

The saffron crocus is relatively resistant plant which is not attacked by many pests. Dangers to saffron are several types of parasites, the most common are:

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HARVESTING OF SAFFRON

In the autumn, blooming of the saffron crocus starts about 40 – 50 days after planting of the bulbs. If the bulbs are from a previous year and had spent the winter in the ground, they start their flowering since the beginning of October.

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