1. What are ranunculus corms?
They are not bulbs. They’re small black corms.

2. When should I plant ranunculus in South Africa?
March/April (Easter is my marker), May, or early June for later blooms.

3. Should I soak the corms?
Yes, soak for 2–3 hours. Never overnight.

4. Should I pre-sprout them?
Optional. Helpful in cold regions, but not needed if your soil is already cool.

5. Which way up do I plant them?
Legs down, eye up.

6. How deep and far apart?
Plant 4–6 cm deep and space 10–15 cm apart.

7. Can I grow them in pots?
Yes. Use well-draining soil and keep saucers dry.

8. Sun or shade?
Full sun in cool weather. Light afternoon shade helps in warm spells.

9. What soil do they need?
Loose, rich, well-draining soil. Raised beds help if your soil stays wet.

10. How often do I water?
Moist but never soggy. Deep watering, not daily sprinkles.

11. How long do they take to sprout?
3–8 weeks. They root first, then shoot.

12. When do they flower?
About 90 days after planting.

13. How long do they bloom?
Around 4–6 weeks in cool weather.

14. When do I cut them for the vase?
At the marshmallow stage — coloured, soft, not fully open.

15. How long do they last in a vase?
10–12 days, sometimes longer.

16. Why aren’t they flowering?
Too warm, not enough sun, too much nitrogen, wet roots, or poor drainage.

17. Why are they rotting?
Too much moisture. Improve drainage, water less often, and avoid soaking too long.

18. Are they toxic to pets?
Yes — keep pets from eating them.

19. What do I do after flowering?
Let leaves yellow. Reduce watering. In wet-summer areas, lift and store once fully dormant.