3 minute read
The Science of Growing 55 Acres of Ranunculus
Discover a bit about the science underlying the iconic flower fields that have been called the “definition of beautiful.”
Each spring, Mother Nature puts on a glorious floral display like no other in Southern California. From March to early May, the Carlsbad Flower Fields awaken and produce a stunning burst of color that fills fifty-five acres and announces to the world that spring has arrived. This dazzling presentation embellishing the rolling hills of North San Diego County is comprised of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that have become a beloved tradition over the decades. And while the popularity of these exquisite flowers is growing, many are still just being introduced to these delightful blooms that are so closely associated with early spring.
Cool Winters Bring Beautiful Blossoms
There is a science behind growing such a large and expansive field of ranunculus flowers. Ranunculus bulbs are typically planted 2” deep and about 9-10” apart. The bulbs, which hale from Asia Minor and are a member of the buttercup family, lie dormant during the sunny Southern California summers, patiently anticipating the winter rains and cooler temperatures. These rainy and cool winters nourish the flowers, stimulating them to bloom and provide a brilliant pop of color in early spring.
The multi-layered, peony-shaped flowers that adorn the Carlsbad Flower Fields are in bloom for six to eight weeks. “The ranunculus flowers love the cooler temperatures, and the cooler it is, the longer the season will be extended,” shares Misty Welborn, VP of Farm Sales for Mellano & Co.
A Beautiful Harvest
Ranunculus flowers are open by day and close at night. Growers will harvest them after a couple of days of opening and closing. As cut flowers, they have an outstanding vase life, are wonderful to work with, and create magnificent bouquets.
Quintessential Easter Flowers
From pretty pastels to bright colors to blooms of red, white, gold, yellow, orange, rose, pink, and peach, these petals provide a rainbow of colors that has become synonymous with Easter bouquets.
As Fred Clarke of Carlsbad Flower Fields puts it, “With 100 petals per flower, these are the quintessential Easter flower, and they have an excellent vase life of ten to fourteen days if cared for properly.” Likewise, Welborn concurs that “Easter is the prime time for ranunculus flowers and they are perfect for Easter arrangements, thanks to the array of colors these lovely flowers come in.”
A Growing Trend
The Carlsbad Flower Fields have been cultivated since the early 1930s and continue the tradition of providing the world with beautiful flowers. Each year, the demand for ranunculus flowers and the agritourism of the Flower Fields grows steadily. To that point, while somewhere between 3.5 to 4 million stems will be available, florists, vendors, and floral enthusiasts should plan if they want to incorporate ranunculus flowers into their spring offerings. As Misty Welborn points out, “Californiagrown ranunculus flowers are popular and people look for them. Get ‘em while you can.”
