Can Saffron Crocus (sativus) grow in containers?

I am going to try Crocus Sativus. I want to know if it is possible to grow them in containers. I put all my edible in containers because I dust everything else heavily with Rabbit Scat. I have no experience growing crocus.

Thanks in advance.

drop, I had some of those in my old garden. They didn't do well after the 2nd year but it could have been because they got overgrown with other stuff in that bed. I did get a few nice strands of saffron, picking them carefully with tweezers, and storing in paper for a few days until they dried.

I had always thought I should have put them in pots. I guess you'd have to read about how much chilling the bulbs need over winter, and whether the pots should be mulched or what if they are left out.

I was still in zone 6b when I had them.

Thank you, darius. It is encouraging.

I read this article:
http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/plants/2001fa_crocus.html
"Generally, the corms bloom nicely the first year, but sparsely thereafter. " Exactly as you mentioned. Do you like the saffron? I had several dishes that "claimed" to use saffron as an ingredient. But I couldn't taste it at all.

I would still like to hear from someone who had successfully grown any crocus in containers. I wonder if Zone 5 is too cold for container crocus. Should I bring them in or leave them out on the patio.

Thanks.

If you read through the co-op thread on the fall blooming crocus, one of the threads indicate that the cashmer....? variety does better in zone 5 than the straight sativus. That is what I got as I am zone 5.

Lisa Kay

Thank you for pointing me to the fall blooming thread. I also search the internet and looks like it is very possible to grow most crocus in container. I just have to give this one a try.

Hi,
I have read that it takes over 4000 blooms to yield one ounce of saffron!!

Yup. But one ounce is a lot. In retail, saffron is sold by gram. 1 g = 0.0353 ounce.