Ranunculus bulbs are odd things . They arrive looking dried out and drained . They have a flat top with legion chela or leg hanging down . In fact , they look quite a bit like multi - legged spiders . But these remaining looking bulb can get amazing technicolor bloom , that is if you’re able to get them to bloom . Proper planting and planting at the right time for the zone ( growing area ) you endure in is essential for your ranunculus bulbs to produce their amazing pink wine - like blossom . Ranunculus bulbs are fearless in zones 8 through 10 . In down zone ( 1 through 7 ) they must be lifted and replanted yearly .
Planting Ranunculus in the Garden
Step 1
Plant ranunculus in former to mid crepuscle in zones 8 through 10 and in former spring after all menace of icing has passed in zones 1 through 7 .
Step 2
select a spot in full Lord’s Day with well - drained soil . Place near other spring blooming flowers like snapdragons , larkspur or tulips .
Step 3
labor 3 to 4 in of compost or well - rot manure into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil at the planting website .
Step 4
Plant genus Ranunculus 2 inches deep . Place the electric-light bulb with the " point " or " claws " facing down and the " eyes " face up . Space the bulbs 4 to 12 in apart count on mixture .
Step 5
Give your bulb 3 to 4 inches of water or water until the water syndicate on top of the dirt and it hold 1 minute for the soil to assimilate the pooled water . Bulbs will shoot in 15 to 20 days .
Planting Ranunculus in Pots.
plant life ranunculus in pots in 6 to 8 calendar week before your last frost . Store the pots in a garage , basement or outbuilding where temperatures will not fall below freezing .
Fill the bottom 1/3 of a container with crushed rock or small endocarp . This increases H2O drain .
fuse a general use potting soil with perlite until you have a 2/3 grease , 1/3 perlite commixture . Fill your container to the top with this mix .
Plant genus Ranunculus 2 inches deep . check that the " pincer " is facing down . Space bulbs 4 to 5 inches apart .
Water the container until pee runs out of the bottom drainage holes .
Tip
Gardeners with unforesightful grow time of year should mature ranunculus in containers as bulbs wo n’t have fourth dimension to sprout and bring out flower before warm summertime temperatures arrive . Ranunculus bulbs create the best blossom if they have a 6 to 8 week cool ( under 75 degrees F ) growing time of year . You do n’t demand to soak the ranunculus bulbs prior to planting . Watering after planting will cause the electric-light bulb to plump up .
Warning
Ranunculus bulbs will moulder if leave in poorly drain soil . Gardeners in zones 7 and below will need to lift and store their ranunculus bulbs in late summer . Do n’t remove the ranunculus foliage after flowering as the bulb salt away the energy the leafage produces through photosynthesis . This vigor is what keeps the electric light viable while it is dormant .
