Saffron Propagation Methods
Plant Knowledge Series, sharing with you the content about flower propagation of saffron, the propagation methods of saffron, keep reading!
Saffron can be propagated by corm division and seeding, but corm division is the main method.
I. Corm Division Propagation
It is usually carried out in August to September. The mature corms have multiple main and lateral buds, and new corms form from the basal part of the leaf cluster after flowering. After the aerial parts wither in summer, dig out the corms, grade them, dry them in the shade, and store them. Early planting is beneficial for the formation of strong seedlings.
Each mature corm has several main and lateral buds. When planting, large corms over 8 grams should be separated from small ones. Small corms weighing less than 8 grams cannot bloom in the same year and need to be cultivated for another year. Pot cultivation should select corms weighing about 20 grams for spring flowering in October, plant them in pots with an inner diameter of 15 centimeters, and 5 to 6 corms can be planted in each pot. After planting, place them outdoors for maintenance first. Roots will form in about two weeks, then move them to a well-lit, fresh, and humid indoor environment, and they can bloom around the New Year.
After flowering, the spent flowers should be removed immediately to avoid nutrient consumption, and 1 to 2 applications of compound fertilizer solution with a focus on phosphorus and potassium should be applied to promote the growth of the corms. Continue normal maintenance until the aerial parts turn yellow in the summer, then dig out the corms, dry them in the shade, and store them. Saffron can also be grown in water for ornamental purposes, the method is the same as narcissus immersion cultivation.
II. Seeding Propagation
Since saffron does not easily produce seeds, it is necessary to obtain seeds through artificial pollination. After the seeds mature, they should be sown immediately in outdoor seedbeds or pots. The density of seed sowing should not be too high, preferably sparse, because the plants need to grow corms, usually they cannot be dug up within 2 years, and it often takes 3 to 4 years from seed sowing to the plant flowering.
The above is a detailed introduction to the propagation methods of saffron, have you understood?