HOW TO PROPAGATE THE SAFFRON CROCUS

How to propagate the saffron crocus

Although found in the bulb section of most plant retailers come autumn, the saffron crocus actually grows from compressed underground stems known as corms. These corms come complete with dormant buds, each one capable of growing into a genetically identical plant. Each year one new corm will grow on top of the old one, together with some smaller ones which will grow from the base of the plant. These smaller juvenile corms are known as cormels. Their resemblance to a typical bulb is so similar that the difference isn't particularly important until you come to vegetatively propagate from it.

How to propagate the saffron crocus

If you originally grew your crocus from pre-packed corms, you will be able to lift these after three years growth for propagation, breaking off these smaller outer corms away from the mother plant. These can either be potted on or planted at a new location. By thinning out your crocus in this manner once every 6 years you will also help to ensure that your plants will remain healthy and strong flowering. This method of division is done during the corms dormant period - usually around July to August, and although it is the easiest way to increase your stocks of saffron bulbs there are two other techniques that can be employed to increase your stocks far more quickly.

The first technique is the simplest involving the removal of the main stem. This can either be cut or broken away from the main stem or you may wish to try digging it out of the parent corm using the tip of a sharp knife.

Whichever way you decide to use, dust the exposed surface with a fungicidal powder, then allow the prepared corms to dry in a warm environment for 48 hours to seal any exposed surfaces. The prepared corm is now ready for potting on into a good soil based compost or outside directly into the ground. This method will encourage the dormant buds to break creating a far more successful divisions later on.

The second technique is to cut the parent corm into four equal sections making sure that there is at least one good dormant bud on each section. Dust the cut sides with a fungicidal powder and allow the exposed sections to callous off overnight in a warm dark place such as an airing cupboard. Once again these are now ready to be planted.

Unfortunately propagation by seed isn't an option as this species is a sterile triploid and so does not produce fertile seed. However, if by chance seed is obtained then it is best sown as soon as it is ripe into a cold frame. Click onto How to Grow Crocus from Seed for more information.

Main image credit - Safa.daneshvar - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31281826
In text image - Crocus sativus - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-194.jpg Public domain

For related articles click onto the following links:
CROCUS 'ORANGE MONARCH'
CROCUS 'PICKWICK'
Growing Saffron Crocus
HOW TO GROW CROCUS
HOW TO GROW CROCUS FROM SEED
HOW TO GROW SAFFRON
HOW TO GROW THE SAFFRON CROCUS - Crocus sativus
HOW TO GROW IRIS BULBS
WHAT IS SAFFRON?