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These bulbs perform best when they have 6-8 weeks of cool weather in which to sprout and grow. Ideal conditions are typically 30 50 degree F nights and daytime highs in the 60 75 range. For this reason we do not recommend planting bulbs in late spring or early summer in hot areas. Ranunculus are winter hardy down to Zone 8. They can tolerate a mild overnight frost so it may be possible to plant with success in warmer Zone 7s. To grow Ranunculus in zones 4-7, we recommend planting in the early spring when the chance of frost has passed and enjoy late spring blooms. These spider like looking bulbs are unusual in that they will hold well for extended periods of time out of the ground (sometimes more than a year). If you wish to hold your bulbs to plant at a later time (perhaps when weather is more suitable) simply wrap them up in a brown paper bag and store them in a cool and dry environment. Too much air circulation will cause the bulbs to dry out, too much moisture can cause them to mold. Ranunculus do like food and though they dont require fertilizer to flower, we recommend you fertilize at the time of planting and use liquid fertilizer sparingly during the plants active growth faze.
Outdoor Beds
1) Find a location where the soil drains well. If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site. Or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to raise the level 2-3 inches to improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and are widely available. Site your ranunculus where they will get full day sun. Dig holes and plant the ranunculus bulbs 2 deep and 4-6 apart. The bulbs look like small, dark bunches of bananas, a curious shape that makes it easy to determine which side is up and which is down for planting. Tuck your ranunculus into the planting hole with the bananas pointing down. After planting, water well, thoroughly soaking the area. Roots and sprouts will form in the autumn. Winter will bring taller growth and flowers will develop in the spring. When in bloom, feel free to cut ranunculus flowers for bouquets. This will not hurt your plants, in fact, the more you cut the more blooms your Tecolote ranunculus will produce. So snip away. After blooming has finished for the season leave the foliage in place; don't cut it off. The leaves will gather sunlight and provide nourishment for next year's show. Water as needed during active growth periods. Ranunculus actually prefer not to be watered while dormant. At the end of the summer the leaves will yellow and die back as the plant slips into dormancy. Foliage many be removed at this point. Your ranunculus will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle. It is important to withhold water from the bulbs during this dormancy period.
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Plant your ranunculus 2 deep and 4-5 apart for the most brilliant display. The bulbs look like small, dark bunches of bananas, a curious shape that makes it easy to determine which side is up and which is down for planting. Tuck your ranunculus into the planting hole with the bananas pointing down. After planting, water ranunculus well, thoroughly soaking the area. Roots and sprouts will form in the autumn. Winter will bring taller growth and flowers will develop in the spring. (Spring planted ranunculus will bloom the first year in late summer and in the spring subsequent years in frost-free areas.) After blooming has finished for the season leave the foliage in place, don't cut it off. The leaves will gather sunlight and provide nourishment for next year's show. Water as needed during active growth periods. Ranunculus actually prefer not to be watered while dormant. At the end of the summer the leaves will yellow and die back as the plant slips into dormancy. Foliage many be removed at this point. Your ranunculus will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle. It is important to withhold water from the bulbs during this dormancy period. Ranunculus shoot long roots therefore it is recommended that you plant the following Jumbo bulbs in the following containers: 10-12 Pot 5 or 6 bulbs. 8 Pot 3 or 4 bulbs.
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Willow Creek Gardens 2521 Oceanside Blvd, Ste A Oceanside, CA 92054 Ph. (760) 754-0435 www.willowcreekgardens.com