Growing Ranunculus and Anemones part 1

1. Ranunculus and anemones are shipped in a dry, dormant state. If you are not able to plant them immediately, the corms can be stored dry and at room temperature for several months.
2. Your growing zone will dictate when you are able to plant your corms. Growers in warmer climate zones (zone 7 for ranunculus, zone 6 for anemones) will be able to plant them out in the fall. Greenhouse growers will also be able to plant at this time. Growers in cooler growing zones will plant out early spring, approximately 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date, or as soon as you can work the soil. Spring planted ranunculus and anemones can handle some light frost, but they do need to be hardened off before planting outdoors.
3. Prepare the corms by soaking them for 4 hours in room temperature water. The corms will become plump during this process. It is important to maintain oxygen levels in the water. This can be accomplished in one of three ways: frequently changing the water during the soaking process, leaving the water running just a trickle, or with an aquarium air pump.
4. Upon completion of soaking, corms can be planted in one of two manners. They can be planted directly into the ground, or they can be pre-sprouted. Pre-sprouting will provide the corms with a bit of a head start and will therefore bloom a couple weeks earlier. Pre-sprouting can be achieved in a cell packs or a shallow tray. Add a layer of soil, spread out the corms in a single layer, and then cover Wirth additional soil. You can space the corms quite close during this process, as this is just temporary. Plant ranunculus with their tuberous “fingers” pointing down, and anemones with their pointed end down.
5. Store the tray in a cool place, around 10 Celcius/50 Fahrenheit, for two to three weeks. Corms should be kept moist, but not wet. During this time the corms will develop roots and begin to sprout. Corms can now be planted out into the ground at 2-3” deep, and 6-8” apart.
6. Select a planting site with full sun and well draining soil. Thoroughly incorporate a generous 3-4” layer of compost and an organic fertilizer into the soil. For best visual impact, plant corms in groupings. If you’re planning to grow for the purpose of cutting, then long, narrow rows are most efficient.
7. With a vase life of approximately 10 days, ranunculus and anemones make excellent cut flowers. Ranunculus should be harvested at the “marshmallow stage.” Gently squeezed the flower bud between your fingers. If it feels soft throughout, like a marshmallow, the blossom is ready to harvest. If the bud feels hard in the centre, as if there were a marble in the middle, allow the bud to develop another day or two before harvesting. Anemones can be harvested once the flowers have opened. Both will continue to bloom 4 to 6 weeks in the garden, and begin to go dormant once temperatures regularly reach more than 20 degrees Celsius.
8. Optional: Ranunculus and anemones are spring flowers, and love a long, cool spring. To extend the show, or in areas with a relatively short spring, mulch the ground around the plants once temperatures begin to warm up. This will help keep the soil cool. Light coloured wood shavings make an excellent mulch for this purpose.

[@shadekatie]

Thank you very much. Been stressing over first time planting. This helped. Please do planting video. . . Purchased from you this year, so excited to see how I do.

[@ieshaspeaks1318]

Sooooo much good and clear information ty! Also yes please a follow up vid showing planting would be very helpful!!!

[@Ksredhead1950]

Full of information, thank you! Please do more but somewhere warmer for you!

[@en20metros]

Thank you very much for this video. Already subscribed and liked. Now in instagram I'll write some video edition recommendations. I am growing ranunculus too and this video changed my mind. I've put the bulbs directly in the soil (if you want check my two ranunculus videos). Oh god, this way is more easy. You have sprouting control and don't waste space in the final bed. Hmmm. Next year my ranunculus will be more amazing!

[@Sunny14136]

Thank you! Helpful video!

[@camelliacheriki4707]

Thanks aaaaaaaa loooot!!! Can you also tell me what variety of Anemones you’re growing? Also, where do you buy them from?

[@MrsMadson915]

Yes please do a follow up video!

[@verdecosi9252]

Lovely! - Excellent and informative, thank you, Antonio Valente!

[@Toyskram]

I am very interested in seeing how they turn out. I will be planting anemone for the first time this year.

[@proudcc]

I spent quite some $$ on ranunculus corms the end of last year, planted them in the soil and then they all rotted, just disintegrated in the soils *sad face* I am in zone 10b, Southern California on the coast

[@brunofttt]

Great info!

[@sweetolive9]

What about storing them in Zone 5a before the winter comes? Is it like a dahlia bulb that needs to be taken out of the soil? How often can you separate them once they multiply?

[@AntonioValenteFlower]

Great question! In zone 5, you’ll have to dig and store indoors. Separating is a bit different from dahlias. Rather than by tubers like dahlias, you have to separate by growing tips.

[@ThaoNguyen-xo6kc]

I live in Northern California ( sf area) , do i need to start the bulbs indoor before i transplant them outdoor ? Or i can just put the soaked bulbs outdoor in fall? Thanks

[@joannawilliams483]

Yayyyy! Please make more videos!!!

[@kathyroeters492]

So helpful! Thank you.

[@tkucey8689]

can they be in the dark? I have a closet at right temp but no light. Its too warm inside the apt., too random on my balcony from 0 to 15 degrees if theres sun. Thoughts?

[@AntonioValenteFlower]

Yes, for the pre sprouting process, they can be in the dark. Mine are in the dark too 👍

[@gardengnome7788]

@@AntonioValenteFlower I’m in Virginia. So I can plant now? Also am I presoaking before I plant in the ground now?

[@AntonioValenteFlower]

@@gardengnome7788 Depends on your hardiness zone. Virginia spans quite the range of zones, from east to west. Double check your particular area. If you’re zone 7 or warmer, you can plant now. And soaking isn’t necessary if you plant now. Hope that helps!

[@stacylamountain2233]

What kind of anemone do you have that have a pointy side? Mine just look like tiny lumps of coal.

[@AntonioValenteFlower]

Yes, mine have a pointy side, which goes down. If you are sure, don’t stress. Just plant them. They’ll find their way up regardless

[@Cainm01223]

Do you pre soak the ranunculus corms if you plant in the fall? My growing zone is 7a (eastern mountain region of TN). I have lifted the ones I planted this year and have them drying. Should they be refrigerated until planted out? Thank you!

[@Estella0707]

I’m wondering this too. How did it work out for you? I’m in the same growing zone in TN.

[@hungsigsgaardnguyen7498]

What can I do after 20 days, the roots don’t show? Can I start to plant them out? And how many degree that the bulbs will kill by freezing? Thanks.

[@AntonioValenteFlower]

Hmmm no roots after 20 days? Are you keeping them cool. We keep ours around 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. They can take a few degrees below 0 degrees Celsius for short periods of time. They’re hardier than most people think.

[@hungsigsgaardnguyen7498]

@@AntonioValenteFlower yah. I checked The temperatur everyday. And I just papraying to them for keep the moisture. But I will plant tham out soon because it looks same same from beginning. I don’t have low tunnel also.

[@christinaboucher2438]

Do they need to be pre sprouted if they are fall planted?

[@valjalava1951]

Just wondering I bought a white and a pale yellow just wondering how to plant them in the garden like do I plant all one color first then the next color or so many of each color what do you think looks nice

[@robynhuisman1271]

Yesss your the best!

[@terributler215]

Does your container need drainage holes?

[@AntonioValenteFlower]

If you’re careful not to overwater, drainage holes aren’t necessary

[@seinipal5236]

Can we use any type of potting soil?

[@BStephensonn]

Can i ask when you planted them outside? Im in Montreal QC so I'm wondering just to get a gauge. I planted my anemones outside in my raised beds the other day (May 14th) but the corms didn't plump up much so who knows if they will work.

[@AntonioValenteFlower]

Anemones and ranunculus need to be sprouted and planted out as soon as the soil can be worked. They like cool temps. I plant mine out in March. April the latest.

[@disbot57]

I soaked mine last night before watching this video They are ranunculus. Can I plant them outside now? Should I redry them and wait until spring? Can they be planted now in containers? and left in the basement until spring? So many questions. I live in zone 6 Boston. It is now early November.

[@AntonioValenteFlower]

Definitely too early to plant corms in zone 6, unless you have a high tunnel/cool greenhouse. Dry them back out so they remain dormant. I’m zone 5b, and I plant out in March, after all extreme cold temps have passed

[@disbot57]

@@AntonioValenteFlower Thank you Antonio. I will wait