Asiatic or garden buttercup (Ranunculus)

The common garden buttercup is also called by such a name as ranunculus. This plant belongs to the Buttercup family and comes from Asia Minor. This plant was named so because it was decided by one botanist who lived a long time ago. His surname is Pliny. If we translate the ranunculus of the Latin language, then it will mean the word "frog". Now it becomes known that this plant is called so because of its comfortable growth where swampy places are similar to a frog. Back in the sixteenth century, the buttercup was brought to England and immediately earned great love from flower growers and began to grow. In the course of several centuries, the plant has already been forgotten a little, but now again the growers remembered about buttercups and are actively growing again. This genus contains a large number of species, about 6 hundred. A cut flower that is placed in a vase of water at home will look fresh for a long time.

The Italian type of garden buttercups is also called “golden meadow buttons”. There is a legend that the Savior gave this plant to his mother, turning small heavenly stars into it.

Plant characteristic

Ranunculus looks very, very impressive. It is planted for decorative purposes and indoors, as well as immediately in open ground. This culture is grown on an open or closed loggia, on a terrace, on a veranda and in other rooms. The height of this plant can reach about 50 - 80 cm. The leaves are slightly dissected. The shape of the roots is very similar to the bast shoes of geese. Outwardly, this plant can be confused with a dahlia, since it has similar leaves and roots, as well as stems. The flowers of the described plant can be double, semi-double and even densely double. They have a large number of shades, mostly blue.

Each flower can be about 7-10 cm in size, and the flowering period lasts almost all summer. The opened buttercup buds resemble roses. When the flower reaches its full bloom, it becomes very similar to a poppy.

Often this plant is used in the preparation of a wedding bouquet. However, it should be borne in mind that buttercup juice is a poisonous substance, so special care should be taken. Gardeners grow a very large number of Asiatic buttercup varieties.

According to sources, initially only two species of this plant were identified: this is African ranunculus, which looks very similar to peonies and Persian ranunculus, which is very much like a rose.

Growing rules

This plant can be grown by any grower, it is important to follow only a few rules.

For fertilization, it is better to use those preparations that have vermicompost, since there is a risk of burning the roots of this plant. You should not transplant a buttercup without good reason, since it tolerates transplantation very badly.

During active flowering, the plant must be fed with potassium-containing preparations, as well as limestone must be added. To increase the flowering period, it is better to water the flower as little as possible, and also to expose it to the place where there is partial shade.

Before the winter period, this plant must be dug up and transferred to the house, since the buttercup does not tolerate low temperatures in winter. You need to dig out the bush only after all the leaves have dried.

If you put several seedlings in one container at once, then the bush will grow lush and colorful. In order for the buttercup to bloom for a long time, and the flowers look more beautiful, it is better to immediately pick off the wilted inflorescences. Also, for this purpose, it is necessary to cut off all the stems in the fall.

Landing rules

For a buttercup, an open, sunny place will be the optimal planting site. He will feel even better in the shade. Because when the plant grows in the shade, the color of its petals appears much brighter, and the length of the flowering period is also increased. It is important that there are no strong winds and drafts in the place where the buttercup grows. The landing should be done only when a positive air temperature is established and the ground warms up.

The soil here is loose, light, with a neutral acidic reaction, and also very fertile. The optimal composition will be peat, humus, black soil. It is also best to add limestone to neutralize the acidic reaction of the soil. Plants will feel good on loams too. The soil should be such that it will be easily saturated with moisture, and the water will not stagnate in the roots. It is better to arrange a good drainage layer, which is laid down to the very bottom just before planting. For example, sand is great. The landing pit is filled with nutritious soil and everything is properly buried in. For the prevention of diseases, foundationol is added to the soil.

Growing seeds

Buttercup seeds have a low germination rate, so it is rather difficult to grow this plant from seeds. This is done mainly by experienced gardeners, using the earliest faded buttercups. To collect the seeds, the buds should be wrapped in a gauze cloth, where the seeds will fall out. The optimal time for sowing will be the end of winter. It is necessary to take a container with fertile light soil. The seeds are evenly distributed over the entire surface, and on top they are covered with a thin layer of the same soil substrate. It is necessary to make a transparent cover on top of the container and place it in a bright open place, where the air temperature will be about 16 - 17 degrees. Periodically, you need to remove the shelter and moisten the soil. If you did everything correctly, then in 2-3 weeks you will be able to see the first shoots, after which the shelter is immediately removed. When two true leaves are formed on the sprout, the seedlings dive and then grow in separate pots.

After the soil has thawed and warmed up enough, and you are sure that the frost will not return, you should plant the finished seedlings on the site. The buttercup will be able to please the flowers only after a year, but if you want to see flowers in the same year, then you need to use a different breeding method.

Growing tubers

After waiting for the period when the soil has warmed up and a stable positive temperature has been established, it is necessary to plant the tubers of this plant in open soil. Usually this event falls on April or May. There is no need to follow any special technology, but there are some small peculiarities. During planting, the tubers must first be prepared. It is important that they lie for a while in some kind of moist substrate. Some gardeners use moss, for example. Instead, you can simply hold the tubers in water or low concentration of manganese. In addition, you can add some kind of growth stimulant to the liquid where the tuber is placed.

It is necessary to immediately think over the place where the plant will be planted, since it does not tolerate transplantation. Before planting, a pre-planting pit is prepared, the tuber is lowered there with the end down. The planting depth will be about 8 cm. When planting several specimens, a distance of about 13 - 15 cm between plants must be observed. In case of unexpected frosts, it is better to cover this crop with straw or special covering material.After about a couple of months, you will be able to see several peduncles, which will bloom after some more period.

Care rules

In the open field, care does not require complex manipulations from gardeners and comes down to regular watering of the plant. However, you need to control the moisture level of the soil to prevent moisture stagnation, which stimulates the formation of rot.

Signs of rot are spots on the leaves, as well as premature dropping of flowers. If this happened to your plant, it is necessary to cut off all diseased areas of the flower, as well as loosen the soil and change the watering regime.

When flowers wither, it is necessary to cut them off in time in order to stimulate the formation and development of new ones. Also, do not forget about stable regular loosening, as well as feeding. Buttercups are fed with organic preparations. Potassium-containing fertilizers are applied about twice a month.

When the flowering period begins, it is best to use preparations that contain substances such as potassium sulfate, potassium salt. Wood ash can be used.

Pests and diseases

Of the insect pests, spider mites can be noted, which often affects buttercups, and aphids and thrips can also feed on plant sap. Pest signs are light specks on the leaf surface. If they are found, you need to immediately start treating the plants with insecticides. For prevention purposes, so that the plant does not get sick, it is best to treat buttercups a couple of times a week with a solution of mercaptophos.

Cultivating buttercups at home

Those who plant buttercups in their apartments can follow the same care rules that were described above. However, there are some peculiarities when growing indoor plants.

For better and more effective growth in one container, it is better to plant several bushes at once. buttercup... Therefore, you need to immediately buy a sufficiently voluminous container or some kind of special box, which can now be easily found on sale in various specialized stores. At the bottom, holes must be made beforehand for the outflow of excess moisture.

The soil is the same as for garden plants: with a high content of peat.

Landing

The tubers are placed in a humid environment for about a day. At the bottom of the prepared container, it is necessary to put crushed stone, egg shells or expanded clay, in general, in order to get a good drainage layer. Next, the container is filled with fertile soil, in which the tubers are planted. Then the tubers are covered with soil residues. However, it is important to leave the tops on the surface.

When planting several specimens, the distance must be observed. After planting, the soil must be watered and the seedlings should be placed in a cool room, where the air temperature is no more than 12 degrees. Next, you need to periodically water.

Care rules

When the plant reaches several centimeters, you need to place it in a room where the air temperature will already be slightly higher, about 20 degrees. If you want to extend the flowering period, then the optimal temperature will be 18 degrees. In addition, it is better to place crops in an open, illuminated place to provide access to direct sunlight. The western or eastern sides of the apartment are best suited. Growing on the south side will be equally good for the buttercup.

With the arrival of real warm spring weather, you can transfer the container with flowers to the balcony or loggia. At the same time, it is necessary to continue caring for the plant: water it regularly and feed it from time to time, especially during the period of active growth. It is important to avoid excessive moisture in the soil, as well as to process and spray the leaves and stems of the plant with a spray bottle. Before the autumn period, the watering regime should be done less often.

Preparatory procedures before the winter period

After the shoots and leaves have changed their color, they must be cut off.The tubers remaining in the soil must be carefully dug out. It is important to be careful as the root system is very fragile and easily damaged.

The plant is not resistant to cold weather, therefore, at a minus mark of about 7 degrees, it may die. In this regard, gardeners store the dug roots in a dark, ventilated, cool room. Also, it is best to pre-soak the tubers in the foundation for half an hour and dry them for several days in a place protected from light. You can wrap the tubers in dry moss before storing.

If you live in a climate characterized by mild and warm winters, then this plant can be left on the site and covered with spruce branches or fallen leaves.

Buttercup care after flowering

The indoor buttercup, after it has bloomed, must also be moved to a dark, cool place. Ranunculus after a certain period of time will go into a dormant stage, which you will notice by the yellow tint of the leaves and stems. After that, the plant should be transplanted into new soil and placed where the air temperature does not exceed 18 degrees. The dormant period of the buttercup is one month. In the middle of spring, you can see new young shoots that are growing very actively and very quickly their number becomes more than five.

These shoots must be dug up and divided, while maintaining the fragile root shoots as much as possible. Then the buttercup tubers must be planted in pots. It is also permissible to leave them until the onset of spring.

However, it should be remembered that plants from such tubers will not be as strong and beautiful. In addition, the flowers will be smaller. Florists who require lush and spectacular flowering from plants buy new planting material every year.

Conclusion

Ranunculus, aka buttercup, is a very beautiful plant that does not require special attention to itself. Moreover, they are able to decorate even the most inconspicuous area. In addition, buttercups are grown on balconies, and also as a houseplant. Particular attention should be paid to the dormant period of the plant.