As Bob wrote, saffron (Crocus sativus) is sterile, because it's triploid (three sets of chromosomes, which cannot undergo the necessary separation and recombination that occurs in normal fertilization of the ovum). That is apparently why the plant's parts are unusually large, making it a good source of the herb saffron. However, its likely ancestor, Crocus cartwrightianus, is diploid and can be grown from seed. A little saffron can be harvested from it, if that's why you want to grow it, but it has similarly attractive autumnal flowers, though they are smaller than C. sativus. Jane McGary, Portland, Oregon, USA On 10/11/2020 7:40 PM, Robert Nold via pbs wrote: >> Can saffron be grown from seeds, and if so, how and when? Can they be planted outdoors? > No; the plants are sterile. > > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…