How to Grow Ranunculus – Cut Flower Varieties
Growing Ranunculus can seem a little daunting the first time you try but with some TLC there’s no reason why you can’t successfully grow these gorgeous Spring flowers.
Timing is Key
You can start Ranunculus corms in Autumn for early Spring flowering or Late Winter for late Spring flowers.
Timings explained:
If you start your corms off in Autumn you will have to protect these plants from the worst of the Winter in a greenhouse or polytunnel
Ranunculus don’t like to be too hot (above 20 degrees) or too cold (below 3 degrees) They hate cold wet soil or freezing conditions.
If you start your corms off in late Winter (January) you will need to use a heat mat or similar to get them going initially – until you see green shoots – then a cold greenhouse or polytunnel
You have received dried corms which need waking up before planting – soak them in a bowl of water for 3 hours before planting into modules or a pot.
The roots appear first then green shoots – I leave my corms on the surface of the compost with a light sprinkling of soil on top – protect from rodents! Lightly water – too much water will rot the corms.
Plenty of air flow is key – it is easy to keep these Spring plants too warm so protect from very cold weather (but don’t keep them wrapped up)
How to Grow Guide
Ranunculus
1 Soak corms for 3 hours in water then plant “tentacles down” in good free draining compost – I start in trays before transplanting to pots or beds
2 When you can see roots forming and shoots starting- transplant to their final growing space – or grow onto bigger plants and move later (you know your space!)
3 This is also a good size to transplant your plants and they are less likely to be eaten by rodents at this stage. Water at the roots and plant in full sun.
4 It can be tempting to pick Ranunculus in bud – don’t do this – wait until they are fully open to gain maximum size on your blooms The more you pick the more flowers they will produce!
