Plug Connection
Ranunculus Aazur series
Ranunculus from plugs? Is that a thing? In fact it is. Potted ranunculus are almost always grown from seed. They always have been. For some reason cutting strains have traditionally been grown from tuberous roots (they aren't corms) but they can perform as well or even better from plugs. The Aazur series compares will with other commerical Ranunculus strains currently on the market and is a popular commercial series in Holland.
Plug grown ranunculus have several advantages over growing from dry roots. They are actively growing on arrival, meaning you skip the whole soaking and sprouting step thus reducing the chance of rot. Bulb suppliers often don't have the colors you want, or they require you to buy colors you don't want in order to purchase those you do. This baffles me. Growing your plugs from seed takes away some of the hassle of sourcing ranunculus and we can produce just what you want to supply your customers.
Growing from plugs is not difficult, but it is more specific than growing from tuberous roots. When you start from a tuberous root, the plant already has carbohydrates built up to support the first bloom. A plug does not have this advantage, so it needs some time to bulk up its root system to promote strong flowering. In order for this to happen plugs must be planted out into short day conditions (lets say under 11 hours of day length to be safe) and they must be kept cool, but not frozen. Ranunculus are Mediterranean plants and need cool but not freezing conditions to thrive.
Order your plugs to arrive when you are certain your soil will be 55 degrees or cooler. Exposure above 70 can trigger dormancy which is the opposite of what you want. By mid to late October most of the US is below 11 hours of day length, which is ideal. The ideal temperature range is 45F nights and 55F days. At these temperature Ranunculus will actively bulk up creating a big root system that will support abundant blooming when longer days come along. Ranunculus flower under long days, generally starting around 13 hours of day length.
The ideal customer for these Ranunculus will have cool but mild winters, or have minimally heated greenhouses or tunnels to keep temperatures in the proper range. Yes, there is some flexibility in this range. They can handle a bit of frost but at cooler temperatures they will not be growing effectively and flower count and size will suffer.
Our Gemstone Anemones prefer identical conditions to thrive.
Those who have grown this series report tall and strong stems with equal production to ranunculus grown from dry roots.
Yes, the photos are atrocious. We hope the breeder or seed supplier will come through with something better, but you get the idea. The photos all represent the flower at harvest, not so much how they will look when fully open.
Available weeks 38-15 only.
Order Minimums & Tray Sizes
The minimum Plug Connection order is four total trays (each tray can be a different variety)
A full shipping box contains FOUR 128 cell trays or a combination of 128 and 288 cell trays.
*If you are only ordering 288 cell trays, then FIVE trays will fill a box.
Growing Guides
Click here to access our comprehensive growing guides containing everything you need to know about this crop.
| Common Name | Ranunculus, Persian Buttercup |
| Genus | Ranunculus |
| Species | Ranunculus asiaticus |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Life Cycle | Tender Perennial USDA zones 7-10, can be grown as an annual or tubers can be lifted, stored and re-planted. Often grown as a cool-season annual for cut flower production. |
| Format | Plugs (NOT tubers) |
| Plug Care | Unlike traditional ranunculus tubers, Aazur ranunculus plugs arrive as fully rooted, actively growing plugs. Transplant as soon as possible after arrival to prevent plants from becoming stressed or rootbound. Plant so the top of the plug medium is level with the soil surface., then water thoroughly after transplanting to settle the soil around the roots. Maintain consistent soil moisture while avoiding saturated conditions while growing on. Because the plants are already actively growing, there is no soaking, pre-sprouting, or concern about tuber treatment or orientation. Keep the plugs around 50-60 degrees, no warmer, for best results. |
| Netting / Staking |
Ranunculus typically don't require netting, but one to two layers of support netting are could be a good idea, especially if growing in a hoop house or under short day conditions. Under these conditions the stems will be quite long and the blooms can become top-heavy. Although stems are generally strong, support keeps the stems straight and reduces wind damage if grown in the field. Field grown ranunculus are often shorter and stockier compared to those grown under protection. |
| Temperature Range |
These plugs must be protected from frost in colder regions using row covers or tunnels - ideally they are grown in minimally heated tunnels in the north, or in areas with naturally cool, mild winters. Ranunculus will bloom faster when grown from tubers, these seed-grown plugs take a few weeks longer to reach blooming size and are not suitable for areas that have short shoulder seasons between extreme winters and summers. Ranunculus is a cool-season crop that performs best when daytime temperatures remain between 55–70°F (13–21°C) and nights remain between 35–50°F (2–10°C). Established plants tolerate light frosts into the mid 20s°F (-4 to -2°C), particularly under row cover or high tunnels. Extended temperatures above 75°F (24°C) reduce stem length, flower size, and overall productivity, while temperatures consistently above 85°F (29°C) rapidly end production. |
| Spacing |
6 to 9 inch spacing is ideal. High tunnel production generally benefits from 6-inch spacing, while outdoor field production may benefit from slightly wider spacing to improve airflow. |
| Soil Preference |
Well-drained, fertile soil with abundant organic matter. Ranunculus performs best in soils with excellent drainage and a pH between 6.3 and 6.8. Avoid poorly drained sites, as excessive moisture around the crown increases the risk of root diseases. |
| Day Length/Light Requirements |
Aazur ranunculus are one of the earliest ranunculus to flower and will bloom under short days. Full sun. In warm climates, afternoon shade or shade cloth can improve stem length and flower quality late in the season. |
| Pinching | Not required for ranunculus due to their natural growth habit. |
| When to Plant |
Plant plugs according to your regional climate to maximize cool-season growth. In USDA Zones 7 to 10, transplant in autumn for late winter and spring harvests. In colder climates, the only way to successfully grow these plugs is under protection in high tunnels for earlier production. Northern growing zones with short shoulder seasons won't have enough of a cool period to grow these plugs outdoors, as field crops, from a spring planting. Places with a short spring season will do better with traditional tuber varieties. |
| Harvesting |
There are two different mindsets when it comes to harvesting ranunculus. Some growers harvest when buds are fully colored and feel soft like a marshmallow but before the flowers are completely open. Other growers wait until the blooms have fully opened and still report a 2 week vase life. Harvesting too tight can reduce opening, while harvesting fully open flowers has the potential to shorten vase life. Cut deeply into the plant to encourage additional flowering stems. Well-grown Aazur plants can produce approximately 3 to 5 marketable stems per plant during the first season, although this varies with climate and growing conditions. |
| Post Harvest Care |
Immediately place stems into clean, cool water after harvest. Hydrate for several hours before using. Floral preservative may improve flower opening and vase life but is not necessary. Store in a cooler with high relative humidity. Ranunculus is moderately sensitive to ethylene, so avoid storing with ripening fruit or other ethylene-producing crops. Properly harvested flowers typically provide a vase life of 1-2 weeks. |
| Diseases / Insects |
Aphids can be a problem. Ensure proper spacing and adequate air flow to avoid powdery mildew or botrytis blight. Do not overwater or plant in saturated soils or root rot will be an issue. Monitor regularly for aphids, western flower thrips and spider mites, especially in greenhouse conditions. Botrytis, powdery mildew, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia can develop under cool, humid conditions with poor airflow. Good sanitation, crop rotation, proper spacing, and irrigation early in the day help minimize disease pressure. Avoid prolonged saturation around the crown and roots. |
| Bailey's Notes |
These ranunculus from plugs will be actively growing on arrival, so you won't have to bother "waking them up" out of dormancy, like you would with dormant tubers. By the time your plants arrive from Plug Connection, the most delicate stage of production (germination and early establishment) has already been completed under ideal growing conditions. Aazur plants will naturally develop new tubers during the season, although these have not yet been widely evaluated for commercial replanting. You may dig the tubers at the end of the season for planting the following autumn, but for the most consistent stem quality and uniformity, we recommend treating Aazur as an annual cut flower crop and starting each season with fresh plugs. |
| Resources |