Ranunculus

Family. Ranunculaceae.

Where does grow? The plant is native to Asia.

Description. Ranunculus is an annual, biennial or perennial flowering herbaceous plant.

The leaves are dark green, collected in basal rosettes, have a variety of shapes - they can be simple, palmately dissected or complex - consisting of several segments.

The flowers are single or collected in small inflorescences - umbrellas, and can have a wide variety of colors in a wide range of colors.

In addition to a variety of colors, the buds can differ in shape and number of petals - according to this feature, they are divided into simple and double. In appearance, they can resemble a rose, peony or even a poppy.

Each flower can reach a diameter of 5-10 cm, depending on the specific variety.

Each large mature bulb can produce up to 20 buds.

Height. Even adult plants remain compact in size and often do not exceed  30–45 cm.

Planting and care

How to grow in open ground

When growing outdoors, in the garden, a place is selected for the flower that will be protected from direct sunlight during the day and strong winds.

Planting is carried out only in early May, when the threat of return frosts has passed. To neutralize the acidity of the soil, you can add crushed chalk or pour it with lime milk.

At the bottom of each planting hole, the first step is to place a drainage layer in the form of fine expanded clay, fragments of brick or river sand.

Ranunculus bulbs are disinfected and soaked in warm water for several hours before planting. The solution should not completely cover the tubers, but can only reach half their height.

Phytohormones can be added to the solution, but this is not necessary.

After soaking, the tubers are immediately planted, preventing them from drying out. For germination, the soil temperature should be at least 10 ° C.

The bulbs look like octopuses - they have tentacles at the bottom and a growth point at the top; accordingly, they are planted in the ground with the tentacles down to a depth of about 5 - 8 cm, sprinkled with soil mixed with sand on top for looseness and better moisture drainage.

When planting, keep a distance of 10 - 15 cm between the holes. After planting, the area is watered abundantly.

Further care will consist of timely watering, weeding and loosening the soil.

Ranunculus grown in the garden will also require periodic feeding. These flowers especially like organic fertilizers in the form of well-rotted cow or horse manure, wood ash and humus or vermicompost.

Unfortunately, representatives of the genus do not tolerate frost, the tubers should be sent to a cool place for the winter, having first thoroughly dried them.

The duration of such a dormant period should not be less than 1 month, after which the plants can be planted again - for example, in a pot.

Reproduction

Most often, they are propagated by daughter bulbs - when transplanting, they are separated and after a short period of rest, they are planted in separate containers.

Around each tuber during the season, 3 to 7 daughter tubers can appear.

You can grow ranunculus at home from seeds. Seeds can be collected independently - this procedure is carried out in calm and dry weather, only from ripe seed pods. It is believed that seeds should be collected from the very first buds - they will be the most viable.

In order not to lose precious planting material, inflorescences can be pre-wrapped with a piece of bandage or covered with plastic wrap. After collection, seeds should be stored for a month at normal room temperature.

Before sowing, the planting material must undergo mandatory cool stratification for a couple of months - this is the only way to increase germination.

1. Seeds are sown at the end of winter or spring in loose, well-moistened nutrient soil to a depth of 1 - 2 cm.
2. The planting container should be about 8 - 10 cm high.
3. The drainage layer in the form of fine expanded clay at the bottom of the container will be 1 - 2 cm high, the rest of the space will be taken up by soil - it should not reach 2 - 3 cm to the top of the container. 
4. Before sowing, the substrate is thoroughly moistened with a fine spray bottle, and the seeds are soaked for several hours in a solution of growth hormones.
5. The planting material is laid out on the surface of the substrate in such a way that a distance of 2-3 cm is maintained between the grains.
6. The seeds are covered on top with a very thin layer of soil or simply sprinkled with river sand about 2-3 cm thick.

You can also sow directly into individual cups.

The seedlings are placed in a cool place with a temperature of about 15 - 17 degrees Celsius without direct sunlight and covered with a transparent plastic cap or glass to maintain uniform humidity.

The created greenhouse conditions will contribute to faster germination of seeds.

It is worth periodically removing condensation from the shelter by soaking it with a paper towel.

The first shoots can be seen in 15-20 days - at this time, the cover must be removed.

Picking is carried out when 2-4 true leaves appear, planting the plants in small cups.

When picking, the bushes can be slightly deepened.

When watering, make sure that droplets of moisture do not fall on the tender young leaves - water with a syringe only under the root or immerse the cups for a few minutes in a large container with water for bottom watering. Seedlings are planted in open ground. in the second half of May. In the first season, leaf rosettes appear. Specimens obtained from seeds bloom only in the second year.

Care

Ranunculus is very unpretentious and does not require special conditions, so it is often grown indoors.

Do not remove dying leaves - they continue to feed the bulb until the very last moment.

After flowering and the death of the above-ground part, the bulb is stored in a cool and dry place.

The bushes will appreciate being outdoors in the warm season - choose a place where the flower will be protected from strong winds, rain and direct sunlight.

Remove wilting buds in a timely manner - this stimulates the plant to form new flowers.

After the death of the above-ground part, the tubers are removed from the pot, cleaned of soil residues and dried. For storage, the tubers are placed in a cool and fairly dry place at a temperature of 15 - 18 ° C.

Too high air humidity at this time can lead to the development of rot, so it should not exceed 60 percent.

Unfortunately, with age, plants may bloom less abundantly, so experienced gardeners advise buying fresh tubers every year.

When does bloom

The flowering period can last 4-7 weeks, depending on the conditions, buds can appear at any time of the year.

Ranunculus can be used as a forcing species and get beautiful live bouquets for any holiday. After planting in the ground, about 60 days pass before the first flowers form.

To extend the flowering time, after the buds appear, the plants are placed in partial shade, in a cool room, and watering is slightly reduced.

Soil 

Nutritious and loose soil with a neutral pH and excellent drainage.

Ranunculus prefers soils rich in organic matter - a mixture of leaves and turf soil with humus is suitable for its cultivation.

To improve drainage, coarse river sand, perlite or vermiculite are added to the soil.

Dried, disinfected, crushed eggshells can be added to the soil - it will nourish the roots and make the soil looser.

Temperature

The planted bulbs are kept cool for some time - at a temperature of about 12 - 14 º C.

With the appearance of the first signs of growth, the temperature is increased to 18 - 20 º C.

Ranunculus love cool conditions, but cannot tolerate prolonged frosts - their bulbs may die.

Exposure to extreme heat can shorten flowering time.

With the death of the above-ground part, the bulbs are kept in a dry and cool place with a temperature of about 5º C.

Ranunculus do not tolerate sub-zero temperatures, but they also do not like extreme heat - in this case, the leaves and stems develop weakly and look sluggish.

How to transplant 

The tubers are planted in a light substrate at any time of the year so that their tops protrude slightly from the soil.

You can pre-soak the bulbs in warm water for 3-4 hours - as a result, the bulbs can double in size.

The bushes prefer to be in a wide and shallow pot - several bulbs can be placed in such a container.

Flowering will be most abundant in a slightly cramped pot - do not offer ranunculus large containers.

1. Growing pots should have large drainage holes.
2. Before planting, a good drainage layer in the form of broken brick, expanded clay or clay shards is placed at the bottom of the pot.
3. The pot is filled with nutritious and loose substrate and holes are simply made in its upper part.
4. The tubers are placed in the holes with the tentacles down so that they protrude slightly from the ground. 
5. When planting, the soil is thoroughly compacted to remove air pockets.
6. After planting, the plants are well watered until the earthen ball is completely soaked and left until the first signs of growth appear - only after that watering is carried out again.
7. The container with the crops can be covered with transparent plastic or glass to maintain uniform humidity.

Diseases and pests 

• Exposure of bulbs to moisture and heat during the dormant period can lead to their rotting.
• With a lack of light, plants will bloom less profusely.
• When grown under bright sunlight, flowering time is shortened, and the flowers themselves fade.
• Insufficient watering leads to loss of turgor of leaf blades and even to the death of the flower.
• Fungal diseases appear when grown in poorly ventilated areas with cool temperatures and high humidity.

Insect pests that may appear on the plant include spider mites, aphids and thrips.

Feeding 

Ranunculus in a pot has a limited feeding area and requires additional nutrients to be added to the soil. 

From the beginning of new growth until flowering, feed with fertilizers for flowering plants at half concentration every 2 weeks.

The main nutrients at this time are potassium and limestone.

When the leaves begin to die, stop feeding and resume in the spring, about 10 days after planting the bulbs in the ground.

Fertilize only after abundant watering - the concentrated nutrient solution getting on the root system can cause a burn.

The bushes respond positively to the use of organic fertilizers.

Lighting

Shoots and leaves should receive direct sunlight daily for 3-4 hours - in the evening and morning hours. Light shading should be provided in spring and summer during the daytime, when solar activity is too high.

In autumn and winter, it is worth choosing the most illuminated place and using artificial lighting with fluorescent lamps or phytolamps.

For active growth and the beginning of flowering, daylight should be at least 12-14 hours per day.

When using artificial lighting, it is necessary to turn it off at night, simulating the change of day and night.

During the flowering period, it is better to move the plant to partial shade.

The most suitable windows for growing flowers are those facing the east or west.

Watering 

Water regularly during the period of active growth and budding - between waterings, only slightly dry the soil in its upper part. Gradually reduce the frequency of watering as flowering fades - the ranunculus should be in almost dry soil when the above-ground part dies.

For irrigation, use only well -settled water at room temperature.

Drain off excess moisture that appears in the tray after watering after a few minutes.

Spraying 

Plants can tolerate the normal atmosphere of living spaces, but will feel better if the air humidity is increased using a tray with wet expanded clay or sphagnum moss.

Spraying should be carried out only in the morning so that the moisture has time to evaporate before dusk. When spraying, droplets should not fall on buds and flowers.

To increase air humidity, you can use room humidifiers or place decorative fountains near the flowers.

The pot can be surrounded by a layer of well-moistened sphagnum moss - water, evaporating from its surface, will naturally humidify the air for a long period of time.

Representatives of the genus do not tolerate cold drafts - when airing in the winter months, take the flower to another room or provide it with good shelter.

Purpose

Plants are often used for forcing and, with proper care, can bloom at any desired time. On average, about 60-90 days pass from planting the bulbs to the appearance of buds.

Flowers are valued by florists - when cut, they do not lose their attractiveness for a long time, and their bright appearance allows you to create chic bouquets.

If possible, it is worth cutting off unopened buds - they will open in the vase.

Planting different varieties of bulbs in one pot allows you to get a bright bouquet during the flowering period.

Note

All parts of the bushes are poisonous - keep them away from small children and pets. Use gloves when handling and then wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

Varieties:

Ranunculus asiaticus

Attractive flowering bulbous perennials 30 - 60 cm high with erect shoots and dark green, glossy, carved leaves reminiscent of parsley. The flowers are wide open, cup-shaped, reminiscent of a poppy, the flower size reaches 5 cm, and can be colored in yellow, pink, red, and white shades. Anthers are black.

Ranunculus Persian

A variety of Asian buttercup, often found in flower culture. Depending on the specific variety, the height of the plant can vary from 25 to 60 cm. Plants of this species have simply huge, double flowers with many round, thin petals. The diameter of the flowers can reach 15 cm. The shades of the flowers are often delicate, pastel, in a very diverse range of colors, excluding only black and blue shades.

Ranunculus bulbosus

A flowering perennial herbaceous plant with a height of 10 to 30 cm. The bushes have thin, erect stems and dark green, carved, complex leaves on long and thin petioles. Leaves can consist of several segments and are arranged alternately. The flowers are single, golden yellow, cup-shaped, with rounded, wide, glossy petals, reaching 1.5 - 3 cm in diameter. This variety is often found in gardens as a weed.

The above-ground parts of this plant are used in homeopathy to treat herpes zoster, intercostal neuralgia, rheumatism and upper respiratory tract diseases, and relieve epilepsy attacks.

Ranunculus repens

Low plants, reaching a maximum height of about 30 cm. Plants have lodging, thin stems and over time are able to form dense herbaceous mats. The leaves are glossy, dark green, compound and consist of three toothed segments. Peduncles are abundantly covered with silvery pubescence. The flowers are golden yellow, about 2.5 cm in diameter, appear on plants in May and almost before frost.