By Emma Bradford, FloraLife U.K. If you’re looking for the perfect spring flower to grace your Mother’s Day bouquets, look no further than the charming Ranunculus. With their masses of delicate ruffled petals, these little stunners will add beauty and grace to any floral composition.

According to legend, the Ranunculus flower came in being when a handsome Persian Prince fell in love with a beautiful nymph. She, however, was not interested, and the prince died of a broken heart. A Ranunculus flower is said to have emerged from the soil upon which he died.

Related to field buttercups, Ranunculus translated from Latin means ‘little frog’, which by no means alludes to their appearance, but rather to where they like to grow. Ranunculus are often found growing in wet marshy areas ‘amongst the frogs’ hence their name.

Although there are many different species of Ranunculus, it is Ranunculus Asiaticus, also known as the Persian buttercup, which is used for cut-flower production. Available in a wide range of colors from bright yellow, red, and orange to more subtle shades of pastel pink, peach and white, perfect for any Mother’s Day arrangement.

Ranunculus Care and Handling Tips

Hydration & Storage at Store Level

• Start processing with a clean bucket, sanitized with FloraLife® D.C.D.® Cleaner.
• If received dry packed, conditioning of stem ends is recommended to prevent blockage and promote uptake. Cut approximately 1” or more off stems. Use clean, sanitized clippers or knife, and treat with FloraLife® Quick Dip.
• Place flowers in a holding treatment such as FloraLife® Express 200. Do not put flowers directly in metal/galvanized buckets. Use clean, high-quality water that has not been treated with a water softener as the salt levels can be damaging to flowers.
• Store in a cooler at 34 – 38° F (1-3° C) with a relative humidity of 75-85%
• Allow minimum 2 hours to hydrate placing buckets in an area with good airflow.
• Always remember FIFO (first in/first out) when rotating flowers.

Vase Care

• Ranunculus are best hydrated with their protective sleeve intact. Leave stems in their packaging until hydrated.
• Remove any leaves that might be below the vase solution.
• Cut approximately 1” or more off stems. Use clean, sanitized clippers or knife. If received dry, treat with FloraLife® Quick Dip. Remember to not remove the sleeve yet.
• Immediately place flowers in vase solutions containing FloraLife Crystal Clear® 300 or FloraLife® Express 300.
• Leave stems to hydrate for approximately four hours. Once hydrated, remove sleeve, and arrange as desired.

Special Consideration

• Avoid getting water on blooms! Ranunculus are prone to botrytis when blooms are over saturated.
• Ranunculus are ethylene sensitive; insist that your supplier treats with an ethylene inhibitor such as EthylBloc™ to protect against exposure. Do not store or display near ripening produce or products that produce ethylene.
• Ranunculus stems tend to be naturally bendy. They rarely grow straight, which adds to their natural aesthetic. But they can be quite delicate as they are hollow. You may find it easier to hold these flowers upside down when handling to prevent breakage.

Happy Mother’s Day!

To learn more about best practices from the experts in flower care, visit www.floralife.com