The glamorous queen of flowers was actually incredibly strong and resilient.
Misha: This time it’s ranunculus. And our guest this time is…
Lana: Good day. I’m Lana, the ranunculus fairy.
Hachibee: Wow! What a gorgeous princess to see!
Lana: Oh? Really? I’m actually quite plain today. Well, ranunculus are so gorgeous they’re even called the “queen of flowers.” They’re always the stars of the show at flower shops. I’m a VIP, you know.
Misha: Ranunculus are truly magnificent with their vibrant colors and delicate petals that are like silk, layered upon layer. I wonder what kind of flower will bloom this time. Let’s get started!
Ranunculus “Almost Weekly” Cultivation Report
11/3 Tuberous root planting
Hachibee: Oh!? Is this a ranunculus bulb? It’s a very unusual bulb.
Lana: No, no! This isn’t a bulb, it’s a tuber, which is a root that has swollen up to store nutrients.
11/10 It hasn’t germinated yet.
Misha: As expected, there’s no movement yet.
11/17 It hasn’t germinated yet.
Hachibei: The sprouts aren’t coming up!
Lana: Just wait a little longer. It’ll be soon.
11/24 Buds appear
Hachibee: Oh! The sprouts have come up!
Misha: This time, the sprouts came out about three weeks after planting the tubers.
12/1 Leaves begin to grow one after another.
Hachibee: The leaves are growing! They’re distinctive leaves, with slightly jagged edges.
12/8 Leaves begin to grow
Misha: The leaves are so shiny and glossy.
Lana: Hehe, doesn’t it look just like my skin?
12/15 The leaves begin to grow larger.
Hachibee: Once the leaves grow, they really start to grow quickly, don’t they?
Misha: And now new leaves are already starting to grow from the base.
12/22 The number of leaves increases
Hachibee: Wow! The leaves have grown so much all of a sudden.
12/29 The leaves increase
Hachibee: Once the leaves grow, they really start to grow quickly, don’t they?
1/5 Switching to cold-weather mode
Hachibee: As soon as January started, its growth suddenly stopped!
Misha: The leaves and stems have all clung tightly to the ground, entering a mode to withstand the cold.
1/12 Endure the cold
Hachibee: It’s the coldest time of the year, but you’re able to endure it, aren’t you?
Misha: They’re not just gorgeous, they also have a strong presence. Ranunculus are lovely.
Lana: Oh! That happens. I’m happy to be praised like that. It’s true, though.
1/19 Restarting Growth
Misha: It’s still quite cold, but perhaps sensing the first hint of spring in the sunlight, tiny buds have started to appear.
1/26 Rise up!
Hachibee: The leaves have straightened up and are starting to grow taller and taller!
2/2 The stems begin to thicken and lengthen.
Hachibee: He stretches both his arms out, and I get a really strong feeling of motivation!
Lana: Hehehe, I’m totally motivated!
2/9 Leaves begin to grow
Misha: The leaves have grown, and the whole plant has gotten quite a bit bigger.
2/16 The stock will grow even bigger
Hachibei: The stems, which were slightly reddish when they first started to grow, have turned black and are becoming stronger.
2/23 The leaves are finely divided, giving them a unique shape.特の形に
Lana: Don’t you think the leaves have a really nice shape?
Misha: It’s a unique geometric pattern. I can feel the aesthetic beauty in it.
3/9 The leaves increase
Hachibee: Wow! There are so many leaves, before I knew it, you could almost not see the soil in the pot anymore!
3/16 Stretching upwards
Hachibee: This is amazing! The leaves are shooting out like a fountain!
3/23 Buds form
Hachibee: W-when did the buds get this big?! This is such a rapid development!
Lana: Hehehe, I’ve been saving up my strength throughout the cold winter.
4/6 Blooming!
Hachibee: The flowers have bloomed! What beautiful flowers they are!
Lana: Right? But this is just the beginning.
4/13 The number of petals increases
Hachibee: Wow, it’s a different flower than last week!?
Misha: Ranunculus flowers change their appearance as they grow more petals after they bloom, don’t they? What gorgeous flowers they are.
Lana: Right? And one of the great things about ranunculus flowers is that you can enjoy them for a really long time, about two weeks.
4/20 The petals begin to fall.
Hachibee: The petals are falling one after another…
4/27 Petals fall
Hachibee: The stems are gradually turning white, it’s as if their souls are leaving…
5/4 The end
Hachibee: It withered away…
Lana: Thick, short, and glamorous. That’s my motto. Well then, everyone, have a good day…
Misha: Lana has gone back to the land of the fairies. Ranunculus, it was fun, wasn’t it? That magnificent and lovely flower, befitting the name of queen, yet withering so quickly even in the bitter cold of winter, and then withering away so abruptly at the end… it showed us the passionate and beautiful life of a flower.
~A quick tip on growing ranunculus~
Cultivation difficulty：★★★★☆
They are cold-hardy and have strong vitality, but
don’t give them too much humidity until the caudex sprouts
and in extremely cold weather, protect them from frost
If you pay attention to these key points,
you should be able to enjoy their gorgeous and passionate blossoms in the spring.
