Dear Friends, I've lost track, but I think this is day 133 of severe drought. Extreme heat and drought for months, yet we have the beat saffron bloom ever (Crocus sativus). We normally harvest a few dozen flowers, but in two days have picked at least 100 sets of stamens. And the saffron seems more intensely aromatic than usual too, but it may just be the quantity of saffron we picked. The color is a rich almost glowing red with a tinge of orange that quickly dries (overnight) to a deeper color and condensed size. My bulbs originated from a 'saffron farm' in Pennsylvania a few years ago, but this year they are really putting on quite a show. Oddly we have had almost no other fall crocus bloom (and there are few species that actually survive here and few that might appreciate this summer's drought as much as C. sativus). Any one else have a bounty of saffron this year? Best Jim