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Planting Ranunculus

Choose The Right Corms

• Choose corms that are large, firm, and plump.
• The size of the corms is highly correlated to the number of flowers per plant. The larger the corm, the bigger the plant and more spectacular the flowers.
• A jumbo corm will produce up to 35 flowers while a number 1 corm will produce up to 20 flowers, a number 2 corm will produce up to 12 flowers and a number 3 corm will produce up to 7 flowers.

When to plant?

• In hardiness zones 8-11, where temperatures do not drop below 10°F (-12 C), the best time to plant Ranunculus corms outdoors is in the fall.
• In colder areas (zone 7 and below), the best time to plant Ranunculus corms outdoors is in late winter or early spring after the danger of frost has passed.
• Ranunculus may be started indoors as early as 12 weeks before the average last frost date (for earlier blooms).
• It typically takes about 90 days from planting to flowering, depending on weather conditions and variety.

Where to plant?

• Best flowering occurs in full sun. Provide some afternoon shade in hot climates.
• Ranunculus thrive in moderately moist, sandy or loamy, well-drained soils. Good drainage is absolutely essential for success. Ranunculus do not tolerate wet or soggy soil, which can lead to rotting.
• Ranunculus look wonderful in beds and borders, cutting gardens, Mediterranean gardens, or containers.
• Plant Ranunculus with other cool-season flowers such as snapdragon (Antirrhinum), calendula, Chinese forget-me-not (Cynoglossum amabile), African daisy (Arctotis), candytuft (Iberis), Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale), sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus), toadflax (Linaria), primrose (Primula), and pansy (Viola). 
• In addition to their garden uses, Ranunculus are also very important as cut flowers. 

How to plant from corms?

• It is advisable to soak the corms for 1-4 hours before you plant them, or water well when planting.
• In garden beds, plant the corms 2 in. deep (5 cm) and 4-6 in. apart (10-15 cm) with the claw side down. Space jumbos 8-12 in. apart (20-30 cm).
• Ranunculus adapt easily to container life: you may plant the corms about 6 in. apart (16 cm).
• Avoid overcrowding the plants and always make sure you provide good air circulation in and around the plants.
• Cover the corms with soil and water as needed. As long as the soil retains some moisture, do not water them again until new growth appears, usually within 15 to 20 days, to avoid rot.

How to plant from seeds?

• Sow Ranunculus seeds in a lightweight, peat-based seed-starting mix in late winter.
• Maintain soil temperature at 50°F (10°C). It will take 20 to 30 days for germination to occur.
• After germination, maintain seedlings indoors at about 55°F (13°C). Keep them moist and out of direct sunlight. Once seedlings have four sets of true leaves, they are ready to be moved outside as long as all danger of frost has passed.
• Plants will will typically bloom 3 to 4 months after planting

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Ranunculus Care

• Once the plants are established, they prefer moderately moist soil, so water only when the soil begins to dry out.
• Ranunculus benefit from regular watering and bi-weekly applications of a water-soluble fertilizer after the leaves emerge.
• Mulch around the plants to help keep the soil cool and moist at the root level.
• Deadhead spent flowers to promote new blooms.
• If you wish to use the blooms for cut flowers, you should cut the flower stems at a slant when the blooms are in the bud stage for best results. Cut in the early morning after they have had the night to recharge themselves with moisture. 
• Like other spring-blooming flowers, Ranunculus prefer cool spring weather and will begin to wither when the heat of summer arrives and the soil warms up. Most gardeners treat ranunculus as annuals, disposing of them after bloom or leaving them in place to fade away.
• If you want to save your corms for next spring, dig them up before the first frost, cut off the dead foliage, and store them over winter in a dry, cool place.

Propagating Ranunculus

Ranunculus can be propagated by seed or by division.

Pest and Diseases

• Ranunculus are vulnerable to aphids, slugs and snails.
• Ranunculus may be affected by powdery mildew, necrotic spot, rust, and tomato spotted wilt virus. Always provide excellent air circulation around the plants, water the soil and not the plant itself.