Planting Ranunculus and Anemones: an overview of how to plant corms and have gorgeous spring flowers!
OCTOBER 03, 2024
October is SUCH a busy month in the Houston garden.
Top of my October list every year: plant ranunculus and anemone corms!
This week's email details the exact steps I follow to plant my corms.
PS: if you want EVEN more detail, I've opened up a mini course about planting these corms that dives deeper into each of these topics!
01. Pre Soak
Corms are stored and transported in a dehydrated and dormant state.
In order to rehydrate them, you need to soak them in water:
dump your corms into a bow or cup
cover dried corms with cool or room temperature water
set a timer for 3-4 hours. after 4 hours the corms MUST be removed from the water and planted into soil
this is also a great time to write you labels! corms all look the same when combined, so if you plan to plant certain varieties in groups, label them and soak them in separate bowls!
02. . Pre Sprout or Direct Sow
After 4 hours of soaking, your corms will have nearly doubled in size! They are ready for planting.
At this point you CAN plant them directly into the garden, pointy side down. Ranunculus need 9" of space and anemones need 6" between plants.
Planting directly into the garden is my favorite way to do it!
However, you can also grow your corms indoors for a few week to allow them to “wake up” in a more controlled environment.
In a large tray (or you can do individual small pots), place 1-2" of damp potting soil. Place your corm, pointy side down and cover with soil. If you're pre sprouting in a large tray you can place all of your corms, giving just 2" of space between. If you're doing small pots, put just one corm per pot!
03. Wait!
Now that your corms are planted, it'll look like nothing is happening for a few weeks. Be patient!
Within 3-6 weeks tiny leaves will start to poke through the soil and you're on your way to blooms!
While you wait - keep corms damp but NOT SOGGY. I usually turn my irrigation off and hand water twice a week (unless it rains, then I skip!)
04. Prep for Cool Weather
Both ranunculus and anemones like cool weather, but they DON'T LIKE frosts and freezes.
Stock up on frost cloth now, and beat the rush this winter!
If we'll have temps at or below 33 degrees, I cover my corms!
That's it folks!
I know these little corms can prove tricky, so if you want even more depth + support - hop into this month's mini course!
(autumn grow along students - you already have access to all the info in the mini course!)
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