26/04/2025
Tulip season is coming to an end, but the ranunculus are here and they are STUNNING! There's something really rewarding about growing them. They're the fussiest thing that we grow so when we do it this well, we're celebrating!
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Here's a rundown of all their demands!
Sprouting stage (October) - Too wet and they'll rot, too dry and they won't sprout. Mice love them so they need to be protected from nibbles.
Seedling stage (November/December) - Now they need to be kept moist, but no toooo moist. Frost can damage them so it's on/off, on/off with frost cloth every time the temps dip.
Planting stage (January) - Plants need to be kept evenly moist so we water every other day (a big job when you have 12 square meters of them!) They need low temps to grow well so on sunny days we open all the doors in the tunnel and roll up the sides, then back again in the evening to close everything up so the frost doesn't get them.
Growth stage (February/March/April) - Ranuncs are hungry plants and they're very attractive to greenfly. They like to be fed with seaweed every week which helps them grow strong roots and also helps with pest resistance. The long stems need support so we stretch netting over them in February.
Harvesting (April) - Only flowers that feel squishy like a marshmallow are ready to be cut. Daily checks of every opening bloom to see which ones are at peak ripeness. If they're too open, their vase life is reduced, too closed and they won't open up into those gorgeous fluffy flowers.
Finally, after months of babying, checking, and nurturing, we end up with the most satisfying crop of flowers!
Have you tried to grow them this year? Were you successful?
