Planting ranunculus and care in open ground: growing through seeds and tubers. Asian buttercup or how to grow ranunculus at home
One of the most favorite flowers of gardeners and florists is garden ranunculus or whatever they call it "buttercup". It has many different color variations, and therefore allows the designer's imagination to run wild.
Types of garden ranunculus
All types of buttercups can be roughly divided into two main groups:
- turban-shaped or African, the flowers of which are shaped like a peony;
- Persian, which resembles a rose in the shape of its bud.
Did you know? Ranunculus is also called "Asian buttercup" because it came to us from Asia Minor. In the 16th century, it came from Turkey to England, where it immediately aroused great interest. IN late XIX centuries, its popularity has noticeably decreased, but in our time the plant is again experiencing a wave of interest among gardeners. Globular flowers 8–10 cm in diameter with a stem 15–50 cm high can stand cut in water for up to two weeks.
The basics of proper landing
The plant belongs to the ranunculaceae family, therefore, it has biological, morphological and agrotechnical growing characteristics characteristic of this family.
Optimal landing time
If the tubers are planted through seedlings, then they should be planted in early spring, and if you plan to immediately plant them in open ground, then this should be done in early May. That is, plant bulbs, as well as seedlings, are planted only when the risk of sudden spring frosts disappears.
In general, the question is, “How to plant ranunculus correctly?” has a simple solution if you know the basic rules of this process.
How to choose a landing site The plant grows well in partial shade, although it also does well in full sun.
But in light shade, the flowers grow brighter, larger and do not bloom for a long time, and it is important to find a place where there is no constant strong wind, but there is enough warmth.
To prepare tubers for planting, they are placed in a humid environment for several hours. This can be moss, wet sawdust or a sponge, with which they are moistened with water or a solution of potassium permanganate. Sometimes, For better vegetation, a special growth stimulator is added. Some gardeners recommend wrapping the tubers with a rag well soaked in Epin's solution. In this case, they are kept in this state for no more than six hours. During this time, they manage to get enough of the necessary moisture, without being drawn in. excess liquid, due to which the roots begin to rot over time.
How to prepare the soil
The plant grows well in light neutral fertile soil. This can be black soil with humus or sand, or peat with chalk to neutralize increased acidity. You can’t plant buttercups in loam at all. It is important that the soil does not retain moisture, but at the same time absorbs it well during watering. Therefore, it is necessary to select drained, warm and humus-rich soil with a medium reaction range between pH 5–8. Level groundwater must be no less than one and a half meters.
Don't forget about drainage, otherwise the roots will rot. You need to pour some sand into the bottom of the hole. The soil itself also requires preparation. Before planting, it is dug up with compost and a foundation solution.
Planting pattern and depth
Planting buttercups with tubers has its own characteristics. So, we must take into account that the plant does not tolerate transplantation well, so the place must be chosen in advance, after weighing everything well. To plant tubers, a hole is dug for them and placed at a depth of 5–8 cm. A distance of 10–15 cm is maintained between them, and the top is covered with sand or loose soil. If there is a possibility of frost, you can use straw or other covering material instead of sand. At first, watering should be light to prevent the roots from rotting. Typically, the first flower stalks appear after two to three months, so the time when ranunculus blooms is approximately mid-summer.
Proper care is the key to good flowering of ranunculus
As practice shows, out of 10 purchased buttercup tubers, only 6–7 take root, and only half of them bloom. The problem is that Buttercup roots lose moisture very quickly and are also susceptible to hazards in the first couple of weeks of growth. Therefore, to increase the chances of getting flowering plant, you need to know when to plant buttercup bulbs, as well as how to care for them as they grow.
Did you know? Translated from Latin, Ranunculus means “frog”, and it received this name because some of its species like to settle in swampy areas. In Italy, the plant is called the “golden buttons of the meadows,” and some retell the legend of how Jesus turned little stars into flowers and presented them to his mother as a sign of love. People unfamiliar with gardening call buttercups miniroses or minipeonies. Today experts count more than 600 plant species.
Watering and fertilizing the soil
Ranunculus needs to be watered regularly, but not much. As already mentioned, excess moisture leads to rotting of the roots. Externally, this problem is determined by the dropping of buds and the appearance of mold on the leaves. Dealing with this problem is quite simple. It is necessary to reduce watering, remove damaged roots and loosen the soil around the plant.
Buttercups should be fed once every two weeks. To do this, use potassium fertilizers at the rate of 40 g per square meter soil. During planting and during the flowering period, it is recommended to add ash, potassium sulfate or potassium salt to the soil. Mullein or complex fertilizers are used as support.
Weeding and loosening the soil
The technique of growing the plant is simple. Except proper watering and removing faded flower stalks, mulch the soil. It is also necessary to loosen the soil regularly so that the roots of the plant are well ventilated and do not rot.
Caring for buttercups at home will be similar, with the only difference being that In this case, regular weeding of the flower bed is not relevant. To grow a flower on the balcony, it is recommended to plant several types of buttercups in one pot to create beautiful composition. It is advisable to place the pot on the east or west side. But if it stands on the south side, then you are guaranteed to bloom for as long as possible. In the question “How to grow ranunculus at home?”, not only the topic of regular watering and feeding, but also spraying the plant is relevant.
Trimming
It is important to promptly prune faded inflorescences. because the plant produces flower stalks very densely and they can interfere with new flowers. Bouquets are formed from cut stems and placed in water, where they can last for at least two weeks.
Digging and storing tubers
This stage gardening work carried out after the plant has flowered and dried out. How long does it take for ranunculus to bloom? IN middle lane he pampers us with flowers from the end of May to the beginning of August - as soon as the warmth sets in, but before the intense heat begins. However, tubers are dug up only after the leaves of the plant have completely dried, regardless of the month of the year. Before this, it is necessary to cut off its dry leaves and stems. When digging up tubers, be very careful, as they are fragile and brittle.
Important! At its core, ranunculus is perennial, but in open ground, at temperatures below -7ºC, it dies. Therefore, for the winter it is placed in the basement, where the temperature is kept at +4...+6 ºC.
After digging up the tubers, it is advisable to soak them for half an hour in the foundation or 15–20 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate, and then dry for three days in a dark place.Did you know? For storage, they are wrapped in a paper bag or dry moss and stored in a ventilated place in boxes. If the winters in your area are not very severe, the plant can be transplanted to a shaded place, and then covered for the winter with dry leaves, spruce branches or other shelter. By the end of the growing season, 5–7 young shoots are found on each tuber. They can be used for further reproduction
plants, but the flowers they produce are smaller, weaker and less juicy.
Ranunculus propagation There are two main ways to propagate a plant: tubers and seeds.
You can also use the method of propagation by sprouts, but then the plant gradually degenerates.
Tubers Buttercup tubers have several shoots and resemble a crow's foot in appearance. For propagation, you need to choose the largest of them, having at least four shoots.
It is important that they are hard, dense and sufficiently saturated with moisture. When planting tubers, make sure that the bud is strictly vertical above the soil. If it is even slightly overwhelmed, the plant may die. Fulfilling this condition is quite simple, since determining the location of the kidney is not difficult. Correct placement
when planting the tuber, fingers down.
Seeds
Since the germination rate of buttercup seeds is very low, gardeners rarely undertake to propagate the plant in this particular way. The seeds are poured onto the prepared soil and sprinkled with another 1.5-2 cm of soil on top. Glass or film is placed on top and placed in a well-lit place. In this case, the air temperature should be within +15...+17ºC, and the soil should be periodically moistened. The first shoots appear two to three weeks after sowing. At this time, you can already remove the protective cover and continue growing seeds until the sprouts have a pair of leaves. Then they are picked into individual containers and, after waiting for the right time, they are planted in open ground.
If you are a lover of roses or peonies, then you should pay attention to a flower such as ranunculus. Planting and caring for it begins at the end of winter and ends until the beginning of September. The flower is perfect for cultivation in a rural household plot or on country dacha, and for the conditions of a typical city apartment.
General description of the plant
Ranunculus is a perennial flowering plant of the Ranunculaceae family. There are Persian, turban-shaped, French and peony-shaped groups of these flowers. Groups, or species, differ in the number and shape of petals in the bud, the height of the stem, and the shape of the leaves.
During flowering the petals are different color: red, cream, yellow, white, pink. In terms of the density of their arrangement, with or without fringe, they resemble buds of roses or peonies. Flowering begins in mid-May or early June and can last until the first autumn frosts. At proper care Ranunculus can retain its flowers until the third ten days of September.
The homeland of this plant is southeastern Europe , especially the Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor- Türkiye, Crete, Rhodes, Carpathians. Another name for ranunculus is Asian buttercup.
Breeding in the country and at home
This is a finicky flower. Ranunculus does not like excess moisture and acidic soil. Therefore, it must be planted:
It is necessary to water without excessive accumulation of moisture, so that all the water is absorbed into the soil. At the same time, it should be warm. At the dacha, you need to water the entire area of the hole; if in an apartment, then from a tray.
You need to pour sand or very fine crushed stone into the bottom of the hole or pot. This will create good circulation of moisture in the soil and prevent root rot. It is better to let the water sit before watering to allow it to warm up.
The Asian buttercup loves warmth. Therefore, the number of warm, sunny days also affects how ranunculus develops. Growing on a homestead or in a country house should be carried out with the following precautions:
The sun should fall freely on this flower. It is better to plant ranunculus in the country in partial shade, under trees or in an open area, and at home, place the pot with it on the south side of the apartment.
When planting, it is necessary to place the tubers with the stigma down to a depth of 5-8 centimeters. The distance between flowers should be 15−20 cm. During growth, from March to June, 5−7 shoots may appear from each root.
It is not advisable to replant Asian buttercup flowers. If you decide to move the plant, it is better to do this during the growth period or after the flowers have withered. A hole or pot of soil must be prepared in advance. It is allowed to plant no more than 4 bulbs or sprouts in one hole or pot. It is recommended to plant plants in groups to create beautiful flower arrangements.
At home, the temperature for germinating bulbs varies from +12 to +22°C. Flowering occurs best at +18°C. In hotter climates, plants wilt faster.
Asian buttercup needs to be fed with potassium and sodium salts, ammonium nitrate or ash, not only when it blooms, but throughout the season. During flowering in the country or at home, it is recommended to remove faded flowers: this stimulates the plant to form new buds. The soil at the ranunculus planting site can be fertilized with compost.
To combat aphids, thrips, and spider mites, spray plants with insecticides, and to prevent diseases - 2-3 times a week with a 0.2% solution of mercaptophos.
Seed storage
Before storing, it is better to pickle the Asian buttercup bulbs for 30 minutes in a foundation and dry for three days.
Seed material should be stored in a cool, dark, well-ventilated, dry place. Better in the basement or on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, wrapped in a paper bag. Tubers should be inspected periodically to identify diseases. Treat those with dark spots with green paint. If they are deeply eaten, the onion should be thrown away.
After 3-4 years, the seed material is renewed in any case. You can do this annually. New tubers are sold in flower shops or kiosks for summer residents. You can also buy seed material via the Internet, where you can find a large number of varieties of ranunculus.
Growing from seeds is also allowed, but germination rate will be low. Seeds are taken from plants of the color you need, large size, collect them from primroses, trying not to lose them.
For seed germination, the necessary microclimate is created:
- room temperature about +17°C;
- not overdried, but not too wet soil.
When planting in this way, expect flowers only to next year. From the moment of planting until the first flowering, no more than 2-3 months will pass. Ranunculus will appear from bulbs in April-May of this year.
Ranunculus will appeal to lovers of roses and peonies who prefer a more miniature version of these colors. it's the same a good option for those who cannot or do not want to grow roses or peonies due to lack of space or dislike of thorny plants.
Ranunculus flower
The ranunculus plant belongs to the ranunculus family and currently has about 600 species. This flower will not only look great in a flower garden, but it can also be kept in a vase filled with water for more than 2 weeks.
You can learn how to plant ranunculus and care for it in this article.
Description of colors
Ranunculus is grown in a wide variety of conditions - in open ground or in pots at home.
The height of the plant can reach 80 cm. The leaves have a very interesting shape - they are deeply dissected. The stem is very strong and root system represented by tubers, appearance which resembles crow's feet.
The inflorescences are also very diverse - you can find double or semi-double varieties. Densely double varieties look especially attractive. The palette of colors is also very wide, with the exception of blue and blue color. The diameter of the inflorescences reaches 10 cm.
The flowering period is from late spring to late summer. If you look at the photo of the ranunculus, then during the period of opening the buds it is very similar to a rose, and after full bloom - to a poppy.
White and pink varieties popular for use in bouquets. But at the same time, the plant must be handled carefully, since its juice is poisonous.
When growing a flower, you need to follow some rules:
- use fertilizers rich in vermicompost;
- do not get carried away with transplants;
- limestone and potassium are important components in the soil, especially during the flowering period;
- to extend the flowering period, the plant should be shaded and watering limited;
- this perennial does not tolerate frost well, so the tubers must be dug up before frost sets in;
- the flower requires regular pruning of the inflorescences that have already bloomed, as well as cutting the stem at the end of August.
Features of the garden growing method
Ranunculus will open to its greatest extent in open ground in shaded areas of the garden. The colors of the flowers will be brighter and the flowering period will be longer.
The soil for planting should be light, without stagnant moisture and with good absorption. It is advisable to choose fertile soil with a neutral reaction.
A mandatory element is drainage, for example, by laying a layer of sand. Before planting, do not forget to dig up the soil well and improve it by adding compost. It is also worth using foundationazole in solution.
The seeds are characterized low level germination, so this growing method is not recommended. If you go for this, then the seeds should be collected from the buds that opened first. After they have bloomed, they are covered with gauze.
In the second ten days of February, the seeds should be sown in a container with light soil, then covered with 2 cm of soil. The container should be covered with film and placed in a bright room with temperature conditions 16-17 degrees. The soil must be watered regularly. After emergence of shoots, the film should be removed.
When two pairs of leaves are formed, dive into the pots.
Disembarkation at open areas produced at a stable temperature environment. Well, you should expect flowering only in the new year.
If you want to learn how to plant ranunculus correctly, then using tubers the best way. After the soil warms up at the end of April, you can plant the plant. The tubers are first kept in a damp sponge or sawdust.
Soaking in cool water is acceptable, or you can take weak potassium permanganate in solution. Having selected the most comfortable spot in the garden, you need to dig holes up to 8 cm deep. Tubers are placed in them so that their “beak” is directed downwards.
It is advisable to maintain intervals between plantings of up to 15 cm. It is advisable to cover the flowerbed on top, for example with straw. The appearance of flower stalks can be expected 2-3 months after planting.
How to care for garden ranunculus
Planting and caring for ranunculus does not cause any particular difficulties. The plant does not like excessive soil moisture, so watering should be moderate. But regularity must be observed. If mold appears on leaves or buds fall, you should try to reduce the amount of watering.
In this case, the soil near the flower must be loosened, after removing the dead elements of the plant. If the inflorescences have already completed the flowering period, then they must be promptly removed.
Potassium fertilizers are used for fertilizing - potassium salt, potassium sulfate or ash. During flowering, 45-50 g are applied to an area of 1 m2 once every 14 days.
The plant is susceptible to spider mites. Damage by aphids and thrips is also dangerous. If silvery or light spots appear, it is necessary to promptly treat with an insecticide.
Weekly spraying with a 0.2% mercaptophs solution 2-3 times is effective as a preventative measure.
Ranunculus at home
Growing ranunculus is also possible at home, for example, on the balcony. It is advisable to plant a group of plants. A wide pot with drainage holes or a special box, on the bottom of which drainage is placed in the form of crushed stone and expanded clay with the addition of eggshells.
Then a peat substrate is laid on which the tubers are placed. After this, the mixture is added so that only the top of the onion is visible. The flower needs to be watered and maintained at 12 degrees.
As it grows, the temperature rises to 22 degrees. For flowering optimal conditions it will be 18 degrees. Avoid getting hit sun rays on the plant, shade it.
It is necessary to ensure regular watering and periodic feeding. Needs watering upper layer soil so that excessive waterlogging does not occur. Spraying is also useful for ranunculus.
How to care after flowering
In the fall, the ranunculus plant must be dug up. Do this when the leaves become yellow and dry. After cutting off the leaves, you should carefully remove the tubers from the soil. This perennial flower, wrapped in moss or a paper bag, should winter in the basement at a temperature of 5-6 degrees.
First, a half-hour etching in a foundation solution is required, and then it must be dried for several days. In open ground, the rhizome can be left in the ground, covered with leaves or spruce branches.
But this can only be done if in your climatic zone There are no frosty winters.
If you keep ranunculus flowers at home, then after the flowering period is over, they should be placed in a shaded place. When the leaves turn yellow and dry out, the plant is transplanted into new soil and left in a room with a temperature of 16-18 degrees.
Already in April you can see new shoots. The dug up tubers are stored in the basement or in the refrigerator. But in order to preserve the beauty of flowering, it is recommended to buy new tubers for planting.
Ranunculus is beautiful flower, which will decorate your flowerbed or balcony. The plant can be used in bouquets or kept in a vase with water. The growing process is simple and the flowering is magnificent.
Photo of ranunculus
The Asian buttercup does not have at all the simple and touching appearance that we imagine when listening to the song “Buttercups, buttercups...”. This is very beautiful flower, which is compared to a rose, a peony, a poppy, and even a dahlia.
The color range of Asian ranunculus is extensive, and perhaps does not include only blue and light blue. In gardening, only two types of buttercup are used - Persian and African. This flower is very good both in pots and on garden beds. And it is also very popular cut in bouquets. Landscape designers it is widely used in a variety of compositions
Features of growing ranunculus in open ground
The main feature of ranunculus is its low frost resistance, which entails the need to dig it up every fall and save the rhizomes until spring, so that they can be planted in the garden again. In this way they are similar to dahlia.
Unlike many of its garden counterparts, ranunculus requires less watering and light during flowering. If these conditions are met, it will bloom longer.
Buttercup is picky about the composition of fertilizers and loves mostly organic fertilizer. Feels great both in the garden and on the windowsill in the apartment.
Planting ranunculus in the ground
Planting is carried out annually. In warm climates, you don’t have to dig up the buttercups, but simply cover them with leaves or spruce branches for the winter. You can save old rhizomes in winter, but a weaker plant will grow from them, so many gardeners prefer to buy fresh tubers every spring.
Planting methods
Planted directly into the ground in the spring, when the danger of frost has passed. The tubers are pre-soaked in water or placed in a humid environment for 8-10 hours. A growth stimulator can be added to the water.
The flowerbed where the ranunculus will grow needs to be dug up, fertilizing the soil with compost. Planting is done to a depth of 7 cm with the “fingers” down. The distance between tubers should be at least 10-15 cm. In general, no more than 20 tubers should be planted per 1 square meter of land.
Planting with seeds is possible, but this process is quite troublesome, and gardeners practically do not use it.
Optimal time for planting
The most best time for planting ranunculus - late April - early May, when the soil has already warmed up and there is no threat of frost. It is better to sow seeds in February.
Soil for the plant
Garden buttercups can grow in any soil, as long as it is not waterlogged. Only loam is contraindicated for the plant. Ideal would be well-fertilized, fertile, neutral or slightly acidic soil mixed with peat and sand.
Planting in spring
Before spring planting Ranunculus, think carefully about where in the garden to plant it so that the conditions - light and humidity - are most conducive to its long flowering.
Within a month, the bulbs will sprout and in June the buttercup will bloom.
If a cold snap is expected, the flowerbed with planted flowers should be covered with film or covering material.
This wonderful flower does not cause any trouble. It does not need frequent feeding and watering. The only thing that is required is loosening the soil for better soil breathability and right place for landing.
Location and lighting for the plant
Since ranunculus love partial shade, it is better to choose a place in the garden that does not receive direct sunlight.
If you plant buttercups in a very sunny location, they will bloom faster. They will do best in the eastern or western part of the garden, where there is sun only in the morning or evening. The soil in this place should not become waterlogged with melt or rainwater, otherwise the ranunculi will rot.
And one more important nuance– buttercups are afraid of drafts, so the place where these flowers will grow should not be exposed to much wind. Although a small fresh breeze will be beneficial for the buttercup, it will help protect the flower from disease powdery mildew during the rainy summer.
In our latitudes, ranunculus is not very comfortable; it is rather a heat-loving flower. In England, where garden buttercups are very popular and where the climate is much milder than ours, they prefer to grow them in pots indoors rather than in open ground.
Growing ranunculus in a pot is convenient for two reasons: in case of cold weather, the flower in the pot is simply brought into the warm room, a flower in a pot can be rearranged in the garden to where in this moment conditions will be more favorable for him.
Important! Ranunculus should not be planted where there are large trees, shrubs or tall flowers, which can create excessive shadow for them.
Air humidity
None special requirements There is no concern about air humidity, especially if the flower grows in the open air.
How to water correctly
Watering should not be very frequent and not very abundant. The main thing is that the soil is slightly moist all the time. When the summer is rainy, you generally need to water very carefully so as not to swamp the soil.
The most best fertilizer for ranunculus it is vermicompost. When planting, it is very good to add humus to the soil.
During flowering, buttercups need to be fed once every two weeks with potassium salt, potassium sulfate or wood ash.
While a sprout is emerging from the tuber, there is no need to feed the plant, because at this time the roots are spending their own reserves accumulated over the winter.
Pruning ranunculus
Pruning is done only after flowering. Withered flower stalks are cut off almost to the very root. During flowering, you need to cut off faded buds, otherwise they will prevent new flowers from blooming.
Ranunculus transplantation
Asian buttercups are very sensitive to transplantation, so they try to immediately plant them in the right place, so as not to disturb the plant later. These fragile creatures may even die due to transplantation.
Many gardeners grow this perennial as annual plant, planting a new plant every year.
Reproduction methods
Propagation by tubers.
During the summer, the roots and tubers of the buttercup produce babies; this flower has a good growing season. Babies are small thickenings on the rhizomes. To propagate the flower, they are separated from the main root and then stored in the winter in the same way as all tubers - in a dry place at a low positive temperature.
After digging, the rhizomes must be washed. Ranunculus has extremely fragile roots, so all manipulations with them are carried out very carefully. Then the tubers are dried for 3 days at a temperature of about +20 degrees. To store them, it is better to place them in a paper bag and leave them in a cool room (+10 - +17 degrees) until spring.
In spring, the separated tubers are planted in the ground.
Important! If the tubers are small, they can be protected from drying out by placing them in sawdust or dry sand for the winter.
Propagation by seeds
Ranunculus seeds have low germination rate, so gardeners do not particularly rely on this method of propagation. Seeds are taken from the first flowers. To do this, the faded buds are wrapped in a rag to prevent the seeds from falling to the ground.
Ranunculus seeds are planted in February in a container with light, fertile, moist soil. The seeds are scattered on the surface of the soil and covered with another layer of about 2 centimeters. The container is covered with film or glass, which must be removed periodically to ventilate the seedlings. The container should be in a well-lit place with optimal temperature from +15 to +17 degrees.
Shoots appear in a couple of weeks. When four to five leaves appear on the sprouts, they can be transplanted into separate pots. A plant grown from seeds will only be able to bloom the next year.
Important! Before planting the seeds, it is advisable to steam the soil, and after planting, water it with a spray bottle.
Ranunculus blooms with very beautiful bright flowers. The flowering period is about a month, although it can be extended if the tubers are planted sequentially in different time. Then some buttercups will already fade, while others will just bloom. This way the garden will be decorated bright colors almost all summer.
When the plant blooms (flowering period), flower shape
Buttercups begin to bloom around the beginning of June. Flowering can last up to 1 month. The most amazing thing about this flower is its shape. Initially, the flower head is spherical and resembles a small rose. As the bud blooms, it becomes like a poppy flower. Some varieties have double or semi-double flowers. African buttercup resembles a peony, sometimes its flowers look like dahlias. Several flowers can bloom on one stem at the same time.
The tenderness and variety of colors, as well as the fact that ranunculus retains freshness for a very long time after cutting, it is often used to form bouquets for brides.
Forcing ranunculus
The big advantage of ranunculus is their good forcing ability. Many flower lovers indoor plants forcing buttercups to please themselves in winter beautiful flowers. You can grow them just for a holiday or some date.
They are grown indoors in pots up to 20 cm deep in loose, fertile, well-drained soil. In order for a sprout to appear, and then flowers, it is necessary to create conditions similar to those in the garden, in particular, extend daylight hours to 15 hours. Subject to necessary conditions The buttercup will bloom in 3-3.5 months.
Problems, diseases and pests of a flower
- Too dry a summer can have a bad effect on the flowering of buttercups
- Excessively moist soil contributes to root rotting, which in turn leads to the fall of buds, or even the death of the plant.
- Damage to roots by nematodes entails poor growth flower, curling leaves. You need to treat the plant by digging it in and clearing the roots from the soil. After this they must be dipped in hot water(50 – 55 degrees)
- In dry, hot weather, ranunculus may be affected spider mite. It looks like silvery spots on the leaves. Contact insecticides are used for treatment.
Popular types (varieties)
There are more than 400 varieties of ranunculus. Only a few varieties are used in gardening. These are the anemone-leaved buttercup, the borcefolia buttercup and the Asian buttercup, which has several subspecies: Persian, African, turban-shaped, French and peony-shaped. Here are the most popular ranunculus varieties among gardeners:
Buttercup wrestler e leafy
This is a flower with a stem that grows up to 60 centimeters. It has white or golden yellow double flowers. Flowering period is May-June.
Buttercup anemonefolia
It is somewhat smaller than the buttercup, growing only up to 30 centimeters. It blooms with large bright yellow flowers.
asian buttercup
The plant most adapted to our climatic conditions. This particular species is distinguished by a huge variety of shapes and colors. It grows up to 55-60 centimeters, has flowers up to 8 centimeters in diameter. The shape of its turban-shaped and African varieties resembles a double peony.
Ranunculus Pyrenees
It blooms in June and July with white flowers. The plant is very small - only 10-30 centimeters.
Difficulties include the need for annual planting of ranunculus. The flower will not require much attention, but you need to know some subtleties.
- Ranunculus will grow better if drainage is poured into the hole before planting, this can be pebbles or sand.
- Dig up the tubers soon after flowering ends, otherwise you may simply not find them later;
- Do not store tubers at too low temperatures in winter. They may begin to sprout prematurely and you will have to plant them in pots;
- You can neutralize soil that is too acidic for buttercups by mixing peat with chalk;
- When washing ranunculus rhizomes before wintering, it is recommended to add a little potassium permanganate to the water;
- Please note that ranunculus juice is poisonous and follow safety precautions;
- During the flowering period, you can add lime to the fertilizer, this will improve flowering.
Answers to readers' questions
Ranunculus is a perennial plant. However, most gardeners prefer to plant it as an annual, without digging up or saving the tubers. If the tubers are constantly preserved, the plant becomes depleted every year, which is reflected in its appearance.
Flower care in winter
Ranunculus overwinters in the form of tubers in a cool, ventilated area until the end of April - beginning of May.