Ranunculus question.

After several years of hunting these and wanting these I finally found some! Now what? I read that they should be dug up before frist frost but also that they do better if left undisturbed?? Should these be planted in a pot?? Anyone here know the best way to keep these babies for more than one season?
Also, I think I read that they bloom in late spring...if I plant them now are they suppose to bloom for me this year?
Thanks!

Mollybee,
These are usually planted with other spring blooming bulbs..Usually in the fall or late winter..I just grow as annuals, the ones i have dug up don't always do so well..I just leave them in the ground here in zone 8 and some actually come back another year..
Larkie

Hmmm wonder why the company sent them to me now then?? They usually send out things when its the proper time for planting. O well, guess I'll just go ahead and pot them up and let them sit until next year then. Or at least try them a couple of different ways, some potted up and save some til winter.
Thanks

Sometimes companies will sell them in spring for early summer blooms, especially in areas that have cold winters. They hate very hot weather and prefer to spend the summer dormant.

If you save them until winter, some of the bulbs will be dead because they can't make food without leaves. Personally, I'd plant the lot in a pot and bring them under shade when the weather starts to get warm, if they don't flower by mid May/June, at least they've had a chance to beef up their food reserves.

Ahh That sounds like a better idea than what I had planned. Thanks Baa! You're always such a big help to me! :)

My pleasure Mollybee. I think we're all a help to each other! As it happens, I've never managed to grow these, they don't even sprout leaves for me *G*.

Ahh man that is hard to believe Baa, I have had my fair share of bad luck with several others...I just hope these aren't hard to grow for me. Don't cha just hate when you try so hard to make a plant happy and it still dies!
I went out awhile ago and found the perfect terracotta planter box for these so I am going to try planting them tomorrow.

Hate to tell you this, but mine are in full bloom! I know ther are different types. My DIL gave me 40 little bulbs, all yellow a year ago, can't remember if it was spring or fall. They have spread ferocusly! These are about half the size of others I have seen, only about an inch across.

The blooms are only a inch across? or the blub thingy?

The Blooms - and they are hardy. I had several bigger ones last year - but not yet, hope they didn't freeze - they were from another bunch.

I just received mine a week or so ago. I plan on soaking mine overnight before planting in partial shade. Good luck with yours.

Thanks, I actually done the same thing. I soaked mine yesterday and planted them this morning. Keeping my fingers crossed that they will sprout out. Good luck with your's too!