The late spring garden wouldn't be complete without a bed of delicate ranunculus flowers blowing in the breeze. Their tissue paper petals, exquisite rose form, and long vase life makes them the perfect cut flower. Although growing ranunculus requires extra time and effort, digging and storing the corms for subsequent years is quick and easy.
Ranunculus begin to bloom in late spring and will continue to flower into early summer. Similar to pansies, they will go dormant as the heat of summer increases. First, they will stop producing flowers. Then the plants will quickly yellow before turning brown. Once this occurs the corms can be dug and stored. Generally, gardeners in zone 6b and colder should dig and store the corms. Although the leaves can handle frost, the corms and roots cannot experience a freeze/thaw cycle. Additionally, the corms may rot if they sit in wet, cold soil over the winter.
How to Dig Ranunculus Corms
Once the plants turn brown dig up the corms and cut off the dead foliage. Place the corms in a seed tray or crate and allow them to dry for a few days. If ranunculus corms are moist or wet during storage, they may succumb to mold or rot.
How to Store Ranunculus Corms
Once the corms are dry place them into mesh bags. Label the bags with the variety name and store them in a dry, dark, cool location until the following year. A basement is the ideal storage location. However, any room that doesn't experience freezing temperatures or excessive heat and humidity will be fine.
That's all there is to it! In the late winter, bring the corms out of storage and start the pre-sprouting process again!
Shop our complete selection of fall ranunculus corms HERE. Shop our complete selection of spring ranunculus corm HERE.
