2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Ranunculus also known as the garden buttercup. This crop can refer to both perennial and annual plants. In total, there are about six hundred different varieties of this plant in the world. Today, many ranunculus varieties have been bred, which are endowed with a variety of colors and flower shapes.
Actually, depending on the type and shape of the flower, this plant can resemble both peonies and double carnations. It is noteworthy that some types of ranunculus are very similar to poppies. Such short plants will look great in any garden, and will also delight their owner with their beautiful flowering for a whole month.
Among the most common species of this plant, the Asian buttercup, as well as the turban-shaped or African buttercup, should be noted.
Description of the features of care and cultivation of ranunculus
It should be noted that this plant is endowed with a special demand for certain growing conditions. With regard to site selection, the ranunculus will prefer slightly shaded or sunny areas. At the same time, for the favorable development of this plant, you should opt for loose, fertile and light soil. Among other things, this plant will need moderate watering, however, in no case should excess moisture be allowed, but the soil must always be kept moist. From time to time, ranunculus needs to be fed with complex mineral fertilizers. In the autumn period, these plants should be fed with mineral fertilizers. It is important to remove those flowers that have already bloomed in a timely manner, which will require weeding.
When grown in northern areas, the tubers of this plant should be dug up every fall. In the warmest regions, ranunculus will hibernate very well under a very reliable shelter. After the leaves die off, the root tubers should be dug up and then rinsed in water. After that, the washed root tubers must be soaked in a rather weak solution of potassium permanganate for about thirty minutes, and then dried for about five days. Then they need to be removed to a cool place until the beginning of the spring period, where the tubers are placed in containers containing peat and sand. It should be noted that some gardeners wrap the tubers in paper after they dry, and then put them in a plastic bag: in this form, the tubers should be stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
The root tubers of this plant are recommended to be acquired in the autumn period of time, which should be associated with the fact that in this way they are better preserved until spring. Actually, when selling these root tubers, all conditions are not always met, for this reason they can dry out, as a result of which they will simply become unsuitable for growing. After purchasing the root tubers, they should be spread out on a damp piece of gauze or any other cloth for about two hours. When this time has expired, the root tubers of this plant should be placed in a container with peat. In this form, ranunculus root tubers are stored at a temperature of about fifteen degrees in a dark place until the very beginning of the spring season. However, from time to time it is necessary to check the condition of the root tubers.
Reproduction of this plant can occur both through seeds and with the help of root tubers. Root tubers should be planted around the middle of May, after the threat of frost has completely passed. Before planting, root tubers should be kept in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for about ten hours. Before planting, compost is introduced into the soil and dug up. The distance between plantings of root tubers should be about fifteen centimeters.
