Saffron: flower, medicine and spice

Saffron - a garden flower, more precisely, a decorative bulbous plant, which is best known as "crocus". Its height can be up to 10 cm.
Early in the spring, when there is absolutely no greenery, colorful representatives of the iris family-crocuses-appear on the clearings. But there are also some of them that decorate the flower beds with their flowering in the autumn time. There are saffrons of various colors: white and yellow, orange and lilac, cream and lilac, blue and purple. The duration of flowering crocuses depends directly on the ambient temperature (the hotter, the faster it ends) and the varietal characteristics of each specimen.

Very decorative saffron (flower) on the Alpine hills or under the trees. You can use them in group mixed plantings with snowdrops, patches or hohlatkami. Against the background of a smooth green lawn, the multi-colored patches of delicate flowers will be very touching .
He grows in the sun in fertile soil. It makes peace with the shadow and penumbra, but in such areas it will not be so abundant to blossom. He does not like stagnation of water, so good drainage is needed. Fertilize crocus with compost or humus.

Transplant saffron (flower) should be in the period when the plant rests. The process of reproduction consists in dividing the corms and planting them in a permanent place. Transplant is performed every 4 years. Those specimens that blossom in April should be planted in the soil in September. They need to take root before the cold starts. And blooming autumn crocuses is better to put on a permanent place in August.

Usually saffron (flower) is planted at a depth of 6 centimeters. If the tubers are small, it is better that the depth corresponds to two such bulbs. The distance between plants is desirable to withstand about 10 cm. To saffron (flower) is not affected by the winter cold, you should cover the planting with either peat or a 5-cm thick layer of dry leaves. To prevent stagnation of water it is desirable to cover flowers with a waterproof material. Also, one should take into account the fact that small rodents inflict great damage on crocuses.

Watering them is not necessary even in the heat, since in the summer they do not have a vegetative process.

Being very decorative, saffron (flowers) also have medicinal properties. They are used in cooking, medicine and as a dye.

Collect flowers that open at sunrise, in sunny weather. The value is represented by orange pistils, which are cut by hand. To make the spice good quality, it should be dried in 12 minutes at a temperature of 45 to 50 degrees. For storage, a dark container is selected, which is hermetically sealed.

Crocus is very popular in oriental medicine. It is an integral part of medicines that promote the improvement of digestion, is used in liver diseases, relieve coughing attacks and cure whooping cough.
The dye is obtained from the stigma of the plant. It is used to give different shades to natural fabrics, such as linen, cotton, wool. Add saffron and confectionery. Abroad it is used in the production of butter and non-alcoholic beverages.