'Flower Fields' of Carlsbad, CA: Photo Blog

                      Ranunculus Asiatica

The Flower fields’ history is as colorful and enduring as the vibrant blooms. It is a story steeped in pioneer spirit, persistence for perfection and a lot of dirty-work. Edwin Frazee was the father of these flower fields.

Frazee devoted his life to growing Ranunuculus and improving the crop. He eluded his competitors by breeding a superior ranunculus bulb with an unprecedented infusion of petals knows as the ‘double’.

He concluded after years of experimenting that ranunculus thrived best in a mild climate and sandy, well drained soil. He decided to expand his crops to the coastal slopes of Carlsbad overlooking the ocean and highway 101. This field as you can see with its vibrant, seasonal color attracted the growing number of motorists traveling between LA and San Diego. It’s a photographer’s paradise and has brought the national geographic photographers here often.

In 1993 with Edwin Frazee’s desire to retire, Paul Ecke Jr formed a joint venture with grower Mellano and company to concentrate on growing beautiful flowers for the whole world to enjoy. Tourism is the primary revenue here making it financially viable. And the “Flower Fields” of Carlsbad was born.


Fields with the Pacific ocean in the distance

The finest strains of Ranunculus plants are grown here. The ranunculus flower is native of Asia Minor and is a member of the buttercup family. The unique blossom is also known as a Persian Buttercup or Ranunculus Asiatic.

Over 50 acres are developed for raising these flowers. They sell only 1-2% of the flowers seen here. That’s a little over 3 million flower stems. They harvest the bulbs later.

The flowers die back and produce seeds for replanting in the same fields for the next season. Approximately 200,000 bulbs per acre is harvested. Machine harvests are done. The bulbs are also sold along with freshly cut flowers. The shows run through end of May.

The flowers are unique in many ways. They have 2 ways of reproducing; they are either planted as tuber or by their seed which is more difficult. The flower has no fragrance and counts on wind for pollination. Because they lack nectar they do not attract pollinating insects.


Cut Flowers ready for sale

The flower fields are planted during the months of September, October and November. The planting is by seed. The seed is so small that it is necessary to mix it with a thin layer of mulch. It is watered 2-3 times per week. During blooming season workers weed out the colors that are in the wrong sections. The 1-2% of cut flowers are shipped throughout US and Canada. In mid-April they will tag the healthiest plants with the largest flowers and brightest colors. These plants will be dug out by hand in June and July for the Mother block which is planted again next fall.



Rose Plants on display




Other flowers on Display

Around the middle of May after the gates are closed, watering is stopped and they are allowed to die back. In June and July after the plants have died down a machine similar to a potato harvester harvests the bulbs approximately 200,000 bulbs.

The view is a sight to behold and enjoy…truly magnificient!