Southern Hemisphere Saffron Crocus bulb sources

Paul T. ptyerman@ozemail.com.au
Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:31:16 PDT
At 11:33 AM 22/10/2009, you wrote:
>Weird request (but there is so much knowledge residing in this group,
>I told my friend I'd try asking):
>
>Does anyone out there know of commercial sources of Saffron Crocus
>bulbs (Crocus sativus) that are in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia,
>South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, etc.)? A friend of mine

Lee,

There must be sources of them around, as they appear in the bulk bulb 
purchase lots in summer.  That means there are wholesalers producing 
them on a large scale to sell to the retail nurseries, so they should 
be able to supply something like the numbers your friend is 
wanting.  I think s/he would need to contact the wholesaler direct, 
to save buying for retail prices.  It depends whether this year 
they're in loose bulb format or course..... some years they're in the 
little bags with the cardboard picture attached etc.  Still, there 
should be a wholesaler somewhere who they can buy from.  If they know 
someone who works in a nursery, see if they can find out who their 
dormant bulbs come from and start from there.  Worth a try at 
least.  I would imagine we here in Aus will be WAY more expensive 
than the dutch bulbs, because we don't have the economies of scale 
from a large population like you guys up north <grin>,  but there 
won't be the hassle of having to change hemispheres.

The other possibility is to find otu whether there is a Saffron 
growers society here in Aus (like the vineyards etc) that help small 
scale producers start up.  I don't "think" we have a big enough 
industry for Saffron here in Aus as yet, but it is worthwhile 
checking just in case.

Anyway, I hope this helps point your friend in the right direction.

Cheers.

Paul T.
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9

Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world 
including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, 
Galanthus, Irises, Trilliums (to name but a few) and just about 
anything else that doesn't move!! 



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