Self-cultivation from seed
Ranunculus can multiply by seed. But since their viability is very short, it is almost impossible to get good seeds in a home environment. The easiest option is to purchase them at a flower shop. It can be both creeping buttercup and Asian ranunculus, any other varieties. Usually on the packaging they write what color buttercups should turn out.
Buttercup seeds are better purchased in the store than self-picking.
Planting of buttercups begins in March - the seeds are planted in a peat mixture with the addition of sand. The poured grains are moistened with a spray and covered with foil. In order for the buttercup plant to sprout, the temperature is maintained at 10-12 degrees Celsius. The film is periodically lifted for airing.
After planting in the ground, planting buttercups seeds, the first shoots appear in a few weeks. By moving the container to a warmer place, better growth can be achieved. In addition, all seedlings need an abundant supply of sunlight. The location of the box on the south window would be the best option.
Caring for decorative species
In order for perennial garden buttercups to decorate the site for many years, certain rules of care must be followed. This is the only way to radically transform the territory.
Pick-up location
These are light-loving and heat-loving plants. The best places to land are in areas protected from the wind. Before carrying out this procedure, it should be remembered that any type of buttercups does not tolerate a change in soil well.
For those who wish to decorate their plot with these amazing flowers, the tubers should be purchased in March. They need to be planted only after cold weather. Before the outside air temperature rises above 20C, planting material should be kept in a well-ventilated area, but not outdoors.
Planting burning buttercups and other varieties is recommended near trees or where there are buildings. This will protect them from direct sunlight.
Watering and loosening the soil
The grass should be irrigated frequently, but not strongly. If the soil is waterlogged, then the root system of the bush may begin to rot, and this is very dangerous. On rainy days, when precipitation does not stop for several days, it is recommended to cover the plants with polyethylene, and completely reduce watering. Also, do not irrigate the grass during the flowering period.
If you want the bushes of white buttercups and other species to be beautiful and healthy, you should periodically loosen the soil around them. This procedure will allow the flowers to receive the required amount of oxygen. Also, constant cleaning of the area from dry leaves and weeds will help protect buttercups from waterlogging.
Top dressing and pruning
To get abundant flowering, you need to make fertilizing twice a month.
It is especially important to carry out the procedure during the development of seedlings, as well as during the formation of deciduous plates. It is best to use formulations with a high nitrogen content
These mixtures will help stimulate stem growth and green mass.
During vigorous flowering, dry buds and damaged leaves should be constantly cut off. If you clean the bush on time, you can keep its beautiful appearance and abundant flowering until the end of August.
Preparing for winter
Buttercups belong to the group of those flowers that need to be dug up annually. The procedure should be carried out immediately after the leaves and stems are dry. Clean the resulting tubers from soil and place in a solution of foundation for 30 minutes. This is necessary in order to destroy all bacteria and microbes that are on the surface of the rhizome.Then dry the tubers well and put in a paper bag. Keep planting material in a well-ventilated area.
Knowing what buttercups are and what they look like, you can grow a beautiful and incredibly delicate plant. A variety of shades and unique shapes of buds, will become a real decoration for any flower beds and a summer cottage.
Types and varieties of buttercups
Garden buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus)
Gardeners often cultivate the garden buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus), which is also called the Asian buttercup, the hybrid buttercup or the Asian ranunculus. This species has become so popular due to the fact that it has a huge number of forms, as well as varieties that are distinguished by a rich selection of attractive flower colors. There are also many hybrids. And the flowers of this plant are used for cutting. The forms and varieties of Asiatic buttercup are divided into 4 groups according to the shape of the flowers:
- Buttercup African (turban). Dense double variety with spherical flowers.
- Buttercup French. Semi-double, flowers have only 2 rows of petals.
- Persian buttercup. A low-growing plant with semi-double or simple flowers.
- Peony buttercup. Double flowers are large enough.
The most popular among gardeners are varieties such as:
- Bloomingdale Rose Bicolor. Double white flowers have petals with a pinkish edge.
- Pearl Pikoti. The white flowers at the ends of the petals have a spray of purple color.
- Double Pink Buttercup. The petals of densely double pink flowers are very tight.
The following types of buttercup are also cultivated:
Buttercup aconitol
- Ranunculus aconitifolius (Ranunculus aconitifolius) The bush can reach a height of about 100 centimeters. The color of its flowers is white. There is a variety with double flowers, as well as with flowers of a very beautiful yellow-golden color.
- Anemone-leaved buttercup (Ranunculus anemonifolius). The height of the bush reaches 0.3 meters, the color of the flowers is yellow. There is a form with white flowers.
- Acid buttercup (Ranunculus acris). Only terry forms of this species are cultivated. Large flowers can be colored in a wide variety of shades of yellow.
Also cultivated are such species that are found in the wild, such as: Kamchatka buttercup, Illyrian buttercup, sulfur-yellow buttercup, Haast buttercup, Alpine buttercup, Altai buttercup, Pyrenean buttercup and Gray buttercup.
Ranunculus flower - care and planting; growing ranunculus at home
How to plant in open ground?
Ranunculus is planted in the ground in three ways: by seeds, seedlings and rhizomes. The most common are seedling and tuberous methods, which is due to low seed germination and the likelihood of loss of a number of varietal properties. As an experiment, you can try to plant both tubers and ranunculus seeds in the garden, and then compare the result. Plants obtained by the seed method will be much inferior to their tuberous congeners both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Seeds
Given the low germination rate, buttercup seeds in open ground begin to be planted in the second half of May, when the daytime air warms up to +15 degrees, and the soil temperature is at least +10 degrees. The place for the flower is chosen slightly shaded and without liquid stagnation: the best option would be sowing seeds under a tree with a loose crown. Buttercup does not tolerate transplantation very well, so the choice of a place must be approached very carefully.
The soil for ranunculus should be light, nutritious, permeable and pH neutral. Buttercup grows well in black soil mixed with humus and sand. To disinfect the soil and to reduce the risk of fungal diseases, the soil in the flowerbed is spilled with a solution of "Fundazola". Sowing buttercup seeds in open ground is carried out in dry, calm weather, evenly scattering the seed material over the surface and sprinkling it with a layer of nutrient substrate 1.5 cm thick.
Seedlings
Transplanting seedlings into open ground is performed in calm and warm weather in the late afternoon. An important condition is well-warmed air and earth, otherwise the young plant may freeze. The earth on the flowerbed is pre-dug up and, if necessary, a little humus and fine-grained sand are added to it. If there are lumps, then they must be broken, after which the soil is leveled with a rake and slightly moistened. Then holes are formed at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other and seedlings are placed in them together with peat pots.
If the seedlings were grown in plastic containers, then before transplanting the soil in them is well moistened and the plants are carefully removed along with the earthen lump. Then they are placed in the hole, the substrate is poured, carefully tamped and watered again.
Rhizomes
Ranunculus tubers are sold dried, so they need to be prepared before planting. To do this, they are placed in a solution of pale pink potassium permanganate and kept for 30 minutes. Then each rhizome is wrapped in a wet cloth soaked in Epin's solution and left for 2 hours.
Then the fabric is moistened again, each root is wrapped, put in cellophane and put into the vegetable tray of the refrigerator or any other cool place overnight. If all the manipulations were done correctly, then the rhizomes swell and outwardly resemble octopuses. This shape of the roots indicates that they are completely ready for planting in open ground.
The planting site is dug deeply, manure or compost is added, and with strong acidification, bone meal or lime is added. Pits 7-10 cm deep are dug at a distance of 15 cm from each other, expanded clay and a small layer of sand are poured on the bottom. The rhizome is placed on top with the roots down, sprinkled with a nutrient mixture, tamped and moistened.
Reproduction methods
Ranunculus reproduces in two ways - by seeds and by dividing the tuber. Despite the fact that the second is considered more effective, many summer residents prefer to buy seeds of beautiful varieties and successfully grow them on their plots.
Seed method
Sowing material can be bought at the store, or you can collect it yourself. To do this, immediately after the buds wither, the box is tied with two layers of gauze. After the box has dried, it is lightly pressed down and the seeds are poured into cheesecloth.
Then carefully remove the gauze with seeds and dry them in a dry and warm place. Then they are laid out in paper bags, the variety is signed, the year of collection and put away for storage. However, buttercups grown from "their" seeds will not inherit most of the generic characteristics of the mother, so it is better to use store seeds.
Rhizome division
In autumn, the tubers are dug out of the ground and new groups of growths are carefully separated. Places of cuts are treated with charcoal to avoid decay. Then the cuttings are dried, treated with "Fungicide" and stored at a temperature of 10-12 degrees. In the spring, the tubers are prepared for planting by the soaking method, at the end of April they are planted in open ground to a depth of 7-8 cm.
It is permissible to propagate a plant by 2 methods - by seeds or by dividing. The second method is considered to be simpler and more effective.
Seminal
It should be borne in mind that buttercups grown in this way will not take varietal characteristics, therefore it is better to use store-bought seeds. It is best to plant seeds in seedling boxes or in open soil. In the first case, planting work should be carried out in February, in the second - in May.
Rhizome division
In autumn, it is recommended to dig the tubers out of the soil and carefully separate the fresh growths. Treat damaged areas with charcoal
Then dry the fragments and treat with a fungicide. Store them at a temperature of 10-12 degrees. With the arrival of spring, soak the tubers, and plant them in the ground at the end of April. They are deepened by 7-8 centimeters.
Ranunculus is propagated in two ways:
- From an old mother tuber during an autumn dig.For this, the mother tuber is very carefully divided, breaking off the fragile daughter tubers. Planting material is stored in a suitable room throughout the winter. In the spring, in April, after soaking the tubers in warm water, they are planted to a depth of 5-7 cm.
- Buttercup propagation is carried out by sowing seeds (for example, Asian buttercup). Ranunculus seeds for seedlings are sown in pre-prepared soil (preferably a mixture of peat and turf in a ratio of 1: 2), covering them with a layer of soil 0.5 cm thick.After about 6-8 weeks, each plant produces 3-4 leaves. Seedlings need to be dived, planting young plants in pots or in a permanent place in the open field.
Planting and growing ranunculus
Tubers, or rather cones, of ranunculus are planted in March - early April for seedlings or in May after frost immediately in open ground. It is advisable to pre-soak the rhizomes in water or, better, in a solution of any proven growth stimulant for at least 8-10 hours, or just overnight. The planting depth is about 3-5 cm, the distance between the plants is at least 10-12 cm. Watering is moderate, since in waterlogged soil, the tubers of these plants can become moldy or even rot. They look best and bloom much longer in moderately semi-shaded flower beds. Ranunculus are usually planted in groups of several plants or in rather large tracts. Among the novelties of recent years, I highly recommend the amazingly colored African ranunculus purple.
It is believed that Ranunculus prefer warm, well-protected places from the wind. Of course, greenhouse conditions or conditions close to them will appeal to most of the known plants, but many of them do not have to choose their growing conditions, and we do not always have a large selection of planting sites on our plots, especially soils suitable for each plant.
My personal experience suggests that these plants do quite well, including in open, often windy places. And they are not particularly picky about soils. But no doubt, moist and warm, well-drained, and humus-rich soil will be more to their taste. A light breeze will also be useful - there is less chance of developing powdery mildew on cool rainy days.
Ranunculus are not particularly demanding on the composition of soils, they grow on almost any soil, but they naturally like loose, well-drained and humus-rich soils. Agrotechnology after planting and germination of young plants is quite standard - regular feeding, loosening the soil and removing weeds. During flowering, faded buds are regularly removed. This will give the plants a cleaner look and slightly extend their flowering period.
Ranunculus after flowering
How to dig up and store garden ranunculus tubers
The tubers are dug up in autumn. After the shoots and foliage turn yellow and dry, they are cut off, and tubers are dug out of the soil. It should be remembered that the rhizomes of such a plant are quite delicate and can easily break, so they should be dug out carefully. Such a perennial can die at temperatures less than minus 7 degrees, in this regard, it is recommended to store the dug tubers in a basement with good ventilation, where the temperature should be at a level of 4 to 6 degrees. In this case, the tubers must be wrapped with dry moss or put in a paper bag. Before removing the nodules for storage, they are processed in the foundation for half an hour, and after that they are allowed to dry well in a shaded place for about 3 days. Such a perennial plant in places with mild winters does not need to be dug out, they are simply covered with fallen leaves or spruce branches.
Caring for indoor ranunculus after flowering
After the ranunculus has faded, it must be removed to a shaded and cool enough place. The flower will grow for some time, and then it will have a dormant period, while the shoots and foliage will turn yellow and dry out. Transplant the flower into fresh substrate and transfer it to a place with a temperature of 15 to 18 degrees. The duration of the dormant period is about 4 weeks, young sprouts will appear already in April. During the period of intensive growth, each nodule has from 5 to 7 young shoots. They are dug up and carefully separated. Then the tubers can be planted in individual pots, or they can be stored until spring on a refrigerator shelf in the vegetable section or in the basement. It must be remembered that weaker plants grow from such "preserved" nodules and their flower diameter is comparatively smaller. Most inexperienced growers therefore acquire fresh nodules every year.
Diseases and pests
Buttercups are quite resistant to both disease and insect attack. Most often, the plant suffers from excessive moisture, which manifests itself in the form of root rot or mold on the leaves. To avoid this, it is imperative to use drainage when planting, as well as monitor the amount and volume of irrigation. If the trouble nevertheless happened, the affected parts are removed, and the plant is treated with fungicides. Due to the high humidity, buttercups can get sick with powdery mildew, a fungal disease.
Treatment consists in treatment with fungicidal preparations "Fitosporin" or "Quadris". For preventive purposes, it is worth using potash dressings. Of the pests, ranunculus can damage cabbage butterflies. The fight against them consists in the use of insecticides. Also, flowers are attacked by pests such as nematodes and spider mites.
Nematodes can be found in the form of leaf plates twisted into a tube. The roots of the plant should be treated with potassium permanganate, and if the lesion is extensive, the diseased buttercup is removed. Spider mites (whitish or light yellow spots appear on the leaves) are disposed of with the help of insecticidal preparations.
Garden buttercups, with proper care, will decorate any flower bed or garden with numerous inflorescences and bring a bright note of comfort to gray everyday life.
In the next video, you can watch the process of planting buttercup tubers.
Buttercups garden shrub in landscape design
Luxurious perennial rununculus are often used in landscape design. Their varieties are able to create a truly charming composition, original, stylish, extraordinary. Group and mass planting of these plants will decorate the surrounding space with their presence (flower beds, alpine slides, rockeries), and in combination with other shrubs and flowers, they will create a simply amazing flower bed. They are also planted in pots or stylish patio containers, which looks quite fresh in modern landscaping.
Buttercup in landscape design
Garden buttercups are very beautiful, unpretentious and amazing plants. They are able to decorate with their appearance any piece of land, make it bright, unique, become irreplaceable attributes in landscape design. Growing them will bring you a lot of fun. Give them your care, love, warmth, give them proper care, then they will reward you with their gorgeous bloom.
Flowers Ranunculus. Description
Natural habitat - southeast Europe, Asia Minor and northeast Africa. The beginning of the cultivation of Asiatic buttercup as a garden culture dates back to the 16th century. At that time, high varieties with simple non-double flowers were especially popular.
Currently, undersized varieties with beautiful double and semi-double flowers are receiving more and more attention.
Ranunculus, planting and caring for which is notable for certain difficulties, is most often used as an annual plant and grown in flower beds, in pots or boxes. For efficiency, they are usually planted in groups, both monochromatic plants and a multi-colored mixture of several varieties.
Tree Peony - All the information you need to care and grow.
The root system is represented by tubers, similar to "crow's feet", 2.5 cm long.The flowering period of the Asiatic buttercup can span from May to August, depending on the variety, and lasts about a month. The plant grows to a maximum of 1 m. Whole, spatulate, palmate or pinnate leaves are arranged on the stem in turn.
The flowers are spherical in diameter no more than 10 cm. Among the color options there are a lot of different shades with the exception of blue and blue. The lush flowers of some species resemble miniature roses, while others are similar to poppies.
Ranunculus flowers. About some representatives
Among the many varieties of buttercup, the following have become especially popular in ornamental floriculture. Buttercup caustic, Ranunculus acris is a winter-hardy perennial plant up to 1 m high. Flowering occurs in June. Bright yellow flowers up to 2cm in diameter. It grows well along the banks of water bodies in rich and moist soil.
Ranunculus acontifolius is a perennial plant with a branched stem. It reaches a height of no more than 60 cm. Simple white flowers, several per stem, appear in May-June. Differs in good winter hardiness and tolerates negative temperatures down to -29єС.
Buttercup subalpine, Ranunculus alpestris is very picky about the soil. On the one hand, good drainage is required, on the other, a well-moistened soil saturated with humus. The flowering period covers June and July, sometimes September.
Buttercup glacial, Ranunculus glacialis grows well in sunny places with acidic soil, where it is recommended to add a little peat and peat moss. On a 12-centimeter stem, from 1 to 3 white flowers grow, pinkish on the back.
Asiatic buttercup, Ranunculus asiaticus with a simple or branched stem and fleshy tuberous roots grows up to 50 cm tall. The flowering period is June and July. The most popular variety in home floriculture for decorating gardens, flower beds and any premises. The varieties of the last ranunculus, planting and caring for which are subject to general provisions, are divided into 4 groups:
- Persian (Persian), high varieties with simple and semi-double flowers;
- turban (Turban) have large leaves and double flowers;
- French buttercups are distinguished by semi-double flowers;
- peony buttercups with large double flowers.
Ranunculus Blomingdale Rose Bicolor shrub can grow up to only 25 cm tall. White double flowers with pink tips of petals.
Ranunculus Purple Picotee is a small shrub with white double flowers. The tips of the petals are marked with a purple tint.
Ranunculus Double Pink Buttercup also attracts attention with its beautiful lush flowers and grows up to 40 cm in a sunny location in well-drained soil. On sale you can find multi-colored mixtures of several representatives of the buttercup.
A mixture called Ranunculus Bloomingdale F1 mix during the flowering period will delight with double flowers of pink, red, white, yellow, orange and purple tones. A bush with small leaves does not exceed 25 cm in length.
Ranunculus Bloomingdale F1 mix Bicolor will also produce small bushes (up to 25 cm tall) with small leaves. Large double flowers differ in a variety of colors, which become more saturated along the edge of the petals.
Ranunculus Mache F1 bicolor Mix - small plants with double flowers, not exceeding 40 cm in height.
9 Growing from seeds
Growing a buttercup from seeds is a rather troublesome task, especially since the seeds have a low germination rate.
Buttercups are pollinated at a temperature of + 20 ° C, and in hotter weather the pollen becomes sterile. Up to 500 seeds can be obtained from one inflorescence, but only 20% of them may be viable.
To collect seeds, the first flowers are left on the peduncles and tied with gauze. Buttercup seeds are harvested in late August - early September, and sown in late February - early March. The sowing box is filled with slightly damp soil - a mixture of leaf and turf soil with the addition of humus. Seeds are sown in rows at a distance of 1-2 cm from each other, maintaining a distance between rows of 8 cm.The crops are sprinkled with a layer of soil 1.5-2 cm and moistened with a spray bottle. You can water the soil after sowing with an epin solution. The box is placed on a well-lit windowsill, covered with glass. The glass is wiped and turned daily.
After about 10-15 days, the first shoots appear. For the purpose of hardening, the glass is periodically removed to ventilate the seedlings, and after the seedlings are strengthened, they are removed completely. For normal growth, plants need a temperature in the first 10 days + 10 ° С, in the following days + 18 + 20 ° С. Good lighting is required to successfully grow seedlings. If there is a lack of lighting, the plants should be supplemented with fluorescent lamps, otherwise the stems will be strongly stretched.
In early May, seedlings can be planted in a greenhouse. By this time, the sprouts are stretched to 8-10 cm. The distance between the seedlings, as in the case of tubers, is 10-15 cm. A good result is the rooting of 70% of the seedlings.
In the early days, it is recommended to cover the greenhouse with a non-woven material to protect against sudden cold snaps and sudden gusts of wind. The covering material must allow diffused sunlight and moisture to pass through. When the danger of frost has passed and warm weather is established, the covering material can be removed from the greenhouse. During the summer, young seedlings will produce full-fledged tubers, and some may even bloom.
