Here we are again with Vincenzo Lucidi. After finding out more about this spice and the origin of this amazing father-to-son handover, it’s time to learn all about growing saffron.
What is your working philosophy?
I’ve been growing saffron for more than 10 years. I started by testing the plant with the purpose of increasing the number of corms and to grow out a healthy and strong product. After all, I see myself as the guardian of this legacy. I reckon the saffron I’m cultivating is the last generation of the plant my family have been handing down since time immemorial.
I think there’s no other family like ours in this regard. After all, saffron is sterile and necessarily needs humans for reproduction. If left alone, it would inevitably die in few years.
What substances do you use to grow saffron? Do you care about certifications?
I do not use any chemical or synthesis product, not even the nature-derived agents allowed in organic agriculture, because I put passion into the things I do and I have a deep respect for nature.
So, my proud answer to those asking me whether my saffron is organic is “no, it is not…it is much more than organic!”. I do not use those products commonly employed in organic agriculture to fertilize or fight diseases and parasites, nor the so-called weeds: I only use stable manure, to which I add self-produced, organic compost and firewood ash. And now you’ll wonder how I deal with weeds…well, I use a super-organic product…elbow grease!
Beware of those who claim their products are organic and have wonderfully clean and weedless fields. To grow my saffron, along with the other products, I don’t use anything else but the soil and the sweat of my brow.
How do you safeguard your soil?
By putting passion in anything we do! If you have passion, nature and land will not be violated nor exploited.
Everything is done with heart and in harmony with nature, as it should be.
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