In the fall of 2013 I bought a few bags of much discounted saffron corms,
already well into growth, pretty much out of pity for the hopelessness of
their situation and a tiny bit curious as well. Upon arriving home I
promptly planted them at the edges of a raised bed which is irrigated with
a soaker hose in the middle, which leaves the edges relatively dry in
summer. Many herbaceous perennials and reseeding annuals share this bed
throughout the year.

The Crocus were planted immediately into the bed, which is entirely
compost, with a few handfuls of sand. The leaves, which were well into
growth already, continued growth through winter into spring to about 12"
before drying up in summer. Due to the settling around the edges of the
bed, some of the corms migrated to a shallower position, and did not
flower, but instead became a cluster of tiny non-flowering corms. The ones
which remained deep flowered well, twice each at an interval. Shen the
leaves die down I will replant them all to deeper locations and see if
there is a difference next fall.

A quick read through the Wikipedia entry on Saffron yields some
interesting facts. One is that Crocus sativus is a much selected clone of
one of a few species or a hybrid of the species, selected for a long
stigmas. The other fact is that it is pollen sterile, which could have
happened from repeated inbreeding. Just a guess.
This brings to my mind a perplexing question. Dutch growers often retire
certain cultivars that cease to grow well once the clones acquire too many
viruses (King Alfred). Is it really possible that a single saffron clone
could go on for thousands of years without acquiring too many viruses, or
even just succumbing to old age? Perhaps old age IS why they don't flower
easily for everyone.
It would be interesting to see the genetics mapped of Crocus sativus from
different sources around the world.

Sorry for the long rant, I'm just puzzled.

-Travis
Rogue River, OR
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