Ranunculus, better known as Asian buttercups, are incredibly beautiful flowers, the variety of shapes and colors of which can delight any grower. Not requiring special attention, unpretentious and disease resistant, they are rightfully considered a worthy competitor to many garden favorites. Consider how to plant ranunculus, what conditions this wonderful plant needs.
Flower Description
Ranunculus is grown both in the garden and at home, in ordinary flower pots, decorating living rooms, balconies and terraces with them. Beautiful terry, densely double and semi-double ranunculus inflorescences of a wide variety of shades (with the exception of blue and blue) reach 10 cm in diameter and bloom from May to August. In the period when they are just beginning to open, they strongly resemble roses, and after opening they look like double poppies.
Preparing the soil for planting garden ranunculus
Ranunculus can grow even in bright sun, but still prefers partial shade. It is in this place that the flowering of the plant will be longer, and the inflorescences will be brighter. plant ranunculusbest in neutral, light and fertile soil, such as black soil with humus or sand, or neutralized chalk peat. Loamy lands are absolutely unsuitable for growing these flowers.
It is important that the soil does not retain moisture for a long period of time, but at the same time absorbs water well when watering. It is imperative to ensure good drainage, otherwise the flowers may rot. This can be done, for example, by placing a small amount of sand at the bottom of the planting hole. Before planting ranunculus, you should dig up the soil, add compost to it and treat it with a solution of foundationazole.
Planting garden ranunculus seeds
Ranunculus flowers, planting and caring for which will not cause difficulties, can be grown from seeds. However, you should not place special hopes on this method, since the germination of the seeds of this plant is very low. So, how to plant ranunculus with seeds?
Ranunculus seeds are recommended to be taken from the very first blooming buds. To do this, they should be wrapped with gauze so that they do not crumble. In mid-February, ranunculus seeds must be sown in fertile soil and sprinkled on top with a two-centimeter layer of soil. Cover the container with film or glass and keep the seeds in a lighted place at a temperature of 15-17ºС, moistening the soil from time to time.
After a couple of weeks, when the first shoots appear, the shelter can be removed. When seedlings have two pairs of leaves, theirit is required to dive into separate pots and plant them in the ground in stable warm weather. However, ranunculus will be able to please flowering only next year,
Planting tubers
Incredibly beautiful ranunculus flowers, planting and caring for which require at least minimal knowledge, can also be planted with bulbs. In order to prepare the tubers for planting, it is recommended to place them for several hours in a humid environment (moss, wet sawdust or a sponge).
In view of the fact that the flower does not tolerate transplanting well, you must immediately think about how to plant ranunculus correctly, in which place the plant will be really comfortable. The tubers should be placed in a small hole 5-8 cm deep with the “beak” down. At the same time, a distance of 10-15 cm should be maintained between them.
When there is a possibility of a sudden drop in temperature, it is recommended to cover the flower bed with straw. As you can see, planting ranunculus flowers is not particularly difficult and will be possible even for an inexperienced grower. A few months after this, flower stalks will appear, from which the first flowers will soon open.
Features of caring for garden ranunculus
In order to admire the beautiful flowers and inhale their indescribable aroma, it is not enough just to know how to plant ranunculus, you need to arm yourself with knowledge about the proper care of this plant.
Ranunculus needs regular but moderate watering, loosening the soil and fertilizing with organic fertilizers. So, flowers should be every 2 weeks during the flowering periodfeed with potassium compounds (wood ash, potassium sulfate or potassium s alt). It is important to always monitor the condition of the plant and remove faded inflorescences in a timely manner so that they do not impede the flowering process with a new one.
Ranunculus Protection
If the plant sheds buds before the flowering period, then this indicates excessive moisture in the substrate. In this case, reduce watering.
If the roots of ranunculus are struck by nematodes - parasitic worms that feed on plant sap, then it will grow poorly, its leaves will curl, and damaged oval or round areas will appear on the roots. Favorable for the development of the pest are moist soil and temperatures from 20 to 30 ° C. To get rid of nematodes, it is necessary to dig up the ranunculus, thoroughly clean the roots from the ground and place them in hot water (50-55 ° C). In addition, you can spray the plant with a 0.02% solution of phosphamide or mercaptophos three times a day for 5 days.
If silver or pale yellow spots appear on the leaves of the flower, and small white spots are seen on the reverse side, then a spider mite has settled on the ranunculus. First of all, diseased leaves should be removed, and insecticides should be used in order to get rid of the pest.
Ranunculus home: planting
Home ranunculus is best planted not as a single plant, but in a group. So, how to plant ranunculus? The photo clearly demonstrates the whole technology of this process. Landing is carried out in a wide large pot ordecorative box. The soil for the plant should be the same as for garden ranunculus: a peat-based substrate. Beforehand, the tubers need to be soaked in water for a day.
At the bottom of the pot or box, you must first pour a layer of drainage (eggshell, expanded clay, crushed stone), then a layer of substrate. After that, ranunculus tubers should be placed and such an amount of substrate should be added so that only the tops of the bulb can be seen. It is good to water the flower and keep it for the first time at a temperature not higher than 12ºС, not forgetting to moisten the soil from time to time.
Features of caring for home ranunculus
Ranunculus buttercups are indescribably beautiful. How to plant them, we found out, now let's focus on the basic measures for caring for the plant. When the sprouts grow a few centimeters, you can slightly increase the temperature conditions for their maintenance (up to 22ºС).
However, during the flowering period, the most optimal temperature for ranunculus is 18ºС. This is of great importance, as at a higher temperature the plant will flower too quickly.
Ranunculus is a light-loving flower, and therefore it is recommended to place it on the south, in extreme cases on the east or west window. In the warm season, it is useful to take out a box or pot to a terrace or balcony. The plant needs regular watering, and fertilizers should be added to the water during the growth period. Top watering is preferable, but the main thing is not to overmoisten the soil. From time to time, you can spray the ranunculus with water. After the flowers wither, watering should be reduced.
Wonderful ranunculus flowers, planting and caring for which are extremely simple, will certainly delight the eyes of households and guests of your home.
