When is the best time to plant saffron?

Saffron , also known as saffron and crocus, is a precious Chinese medicinal material and traditional tonic. In recent years, the planting area in China has also increased year by year. So when is the best time to plant saffron? Let’s learn more about it below.

When is the best time to plant saffron?

The best time to plant saffron is generally after September in autumn, and it can also be planted in March-April in spring.

Key points of saffron planting technology

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Choose a gently sloping or hillside land with loose, fertile, slightly alkaline and well-drained soil for planting. One month before sowing, apply 4000 kg of farmyard manure, 40 kg of superphosphate and 200 kg of rapeseed cake per mu, deep plow into the soil, harrow it evenly, and make it into a ridge with a width of 1.3 to 1.5 meters and a height of 20 cm.

2. Choose good varieties

According to years of planting experience, saffron bulbs must weigh more than 10g to bloom, and the larger the bulb, the higher the filament yield. Therefore, large bulbs that are free of disease and mechanical damage should be selected for seed preservation. When the number of diseased plants increases significantly (usually every 4-5 years), the seeds should be immediately replaced in another location.

3. Bulb processing

Before planting bulbs, soak the seeds in 500-600 times diluted 25% carbendazim for 20 minutes to prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests.

4. Planting tips

Saffron is mainly propagated by bulbs. When sowing, make sure the main bud of the bulb is facing upwards, and cover the soil and compact it. Usually a large amount of bulbs are needed to grow saffron, about 500 kilograms per acre. The density should be 15-20 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants, and the depth should be controlled at around 3-6 cm.

5. Water and fertilizer management

After sowing saffron, water it sufficiently and keep the soil moist. There is little rain and drought in the northern region, so watering is required before winter to prevent frost. Water the saffron after it turns green in February of the following year. Water it again in April when the saffron is growing vigorously to meet the growth needs of the saffron. In terms of fertilization, in addition to sufficient supply of base fertilizer, during the peak growth period of saffron, you can also spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer every 7-10 days, and spray 3-6 times in a row.

6. Harvesting and processing

Saffron should be harvested in time after flowering, and the red style and stigma of the pistil should be picked and processed in time using the rapid drying method. It can usually be dried at 50-60℃ for 4 hours, and then stored in a dry and sealed container and kept in a cool, dark place.

Generally speaking, saffron is mainly planted in spring and autumn, but the specific planting time depends on the actual local planting conditions. In addition, pay attention to the management points before and after sowing to ensure high yield of saffron in the later stage.