Ranunculus plant

If you live in moderate warm regions and not in a cool area you can be the lucky cultivator of a ranunculus plant. It brings radiant colors in your garden like yellow, orange, red. It can be a rather hard to grow flower, but its beauty compensates.

The Ranunculus belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. Some types are perennial, other are annual or biennial.
The basic tips to successfully grow such a plant refer to:

  • The flowering season spreads for one month and a half. If you plant in the autumn, you will have blooms in the spring time;
  • The method of propagation done through woody bulbs, which must be placed in warm water in order to produce roots;
  • The plantation must be done in spring and fall, into a well-drained soil, with a fertile property;
  • Give it plenty of sunlight; place it in a cool temperature environment;
  • It needs a moderate quantity of water, a light fertilizer applied during active growth season and before blooming;
  • It can be attacked by aphids, mollusks, rust, spider mites, snails, fungus.

Now, that we saw what are the cultural requirements for this plant, let’s detail the caring process.
If you want large blooms, Tecolote and Jumbo bulbs are suited for planting.

In a cool region keep the plant indoor for 3 months before the last frosting comes. Provide space for growth in pots of 6 inches diameter, 1 inch below the soil and that allow the root tips to point down. Place the plant in a windowsill or somewhere with a lot of light. If it’s fading it means it doesn’t receive enough. So chose a west or south facing window.

For warm regions the garden is perfect for the Ranunculus bulbs. Plant them in spring, leaving a space of 4 to 6 inches between.

Protect them from frost. The temperature must remain between 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The watering is crucial. You must not over wet it (root rot appears) and neither leave it to dry. The soil must be moist, but not wet.

As for the foliage, almost never remove the leaves. They become food and prepare the plant for the next blooming. In the summer the leaves will begin to have a yellow color which shows that the plant enters the period of dormancy. Now you can remove the faded leaves and don’t move the bulbs.

With the wonderful blooms you can create magnificent bouquets. All in all is a peculiar plant and you will not regret taking care of a Ranunculus.

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