Difference between revisions of "Plant and Care for a Ranunculus"
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Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) refers to a group of several hundred plants that includes buttercups and crowfoots. Frequently sold as cut flowers and a popular garden plant, this family of plants offers brilliantly colored blooms. A number of brightly-colored varieties with multiple layers of petals in a rosette shape are available for planting at home. Most varieties of ranunculus will grow to about {{convert|15|in|cm|1}} in height. However, to grow beautiful ranunculus you will need to know how to plant them, and care for them after they are planted. | Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) refers to a group of several hundred plants that includes buttercups and crowfoots. Frequently sold as cut flowers and a popular garden plant, this family of plants offers brilliantly colored blooms. A number of brightly-colored varieties with multiple layers of petals in a rosette shape are available for planting at home. Most varieties of ranunculus will grow to about {{convert|15|in|cm|1}} in height. However, to grow beautiful ranunculus you will need to know how to plant them, and care for them after they are planted. | ||
| − | [[Category:Planting and Growing]] | + | [[Category: Planting and Growing]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Planting Ranunculus === | === Planting Ranunculus === | ||
| − | #Pick out a spot for your ranunculus based on your climate. Ranunculus plants prefer a sunny location but if you are in an especially hot climate they will tolerate some shade. Ranunculus tend not to tolerate heavy frost so if you are planting them in cooler climates it is recommended to store the tubers, which are also know as bulbs, inside for the winter.<ref>http://www.gardenguides.com/77651-care-ranunculus.html</ref> | + | #Pick out a spot for your ranunculus based on your climate. Ranunculus plants prefer a sunny location but if you are in an especially hot climate they will tolerate some shade. Ranunculus tend not to tolerate heavy frost so if you are planting them in cooler climates it is recommended to store the tubers, which are also know as bulbs, inside for the winter.<ref name="rf1">http://www.gardenguides.com/77651-care-ranunculus.html</ref> |
#*Storing ranunculus tubers will be covered in Step 6 of Method 2 further down in the article. | #*Storing ranunculus tubers will be covered in Step 6 of Method 2 further down in the article. | ||
| − | #Find a spot to plant your ranunculus where the soil drains well. Aside from planting your ranunculus in the sun, you should also keep the soil in mind when choosing a spot for your plant. Ranunculus grow well in well-drained soil and prefer rich, sandy ground. Avoid planting your ranunculus in areas where puddles remain long after rainfall, or if you know your soil is heavy clay.<ref | + | #Find a spot to plant your ranunculus where the soil drains well. Aside from planting your ranunculus in the sun, you should also keep the soil in mind when choosing a spot for your plant. Ranunculus grow well in well-drained soil and prefer rich, sandy ground. Avoid planting your ranunculus in areas where puddles remain long after rainfall, or if you know your soil is heavy clay.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*You can determine if your soil is predominantly clay by squeezing a handful of moist soil in your palm. If it clumps together, you likely have a clay-heavy soil. You can improve soil drainage by mixing your soil with a generous amount of substances such as plant fibers (bark or grass clippings) or well-rotted manure. These ‘soil extras’ will help your ranunculus to grow. | #*You can determine if your soil is predominantly clay by squeezing a handful of moist soil in your palm. If it clumps together, you likely have a clay-heavy soil. You can improve soil drainage by mixing your soil with a generous amount of substances such as plant fibers (bark or grass clippings) or well-rotted manure. These ‘soil extras’ will help your ranunculus to grow. | ||
#Plant your ranunculus from tubers (aka bulbs) if possible. Tubers, or bulbs, are generally the preferred way to grow ranunculus. A tuber is similar to a root; ranunculus tubers look like spiders, claws, or bunches of bananas. Their odd appearance is helpful when it comes to planting. Plant the tuber with the pointed ‘claw’ end or ‘spider’s legs’ facing downwards. To plant your tubers: | #Plant your ranunculus from tubers (aka bulbs) if possible. Tubers, or bulbs, are generally the preferred way to grow ranunculus. A tuber is similar to a root; ranunculus tubers look like spiders, claws, or bunches of bananas. Their odd appearance is helpful when it comes to planting. Plant the tuber with the pointed ‘claw’ end or ‘spider’s legs’ facing downwards. To plant your tubers: | ||
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#*Maintain the seeds at a temperature of around {{convert|70|F}} and a little cooler at night. The seeds should germinate, or grow into small plants, in around two to three weeks. | #*Maintain the seeds at a temperature of around {{convert|70|F}} and a little cooler at night. The seeds should germinate, or grow into small plants, in around two to three weeks. | ||
#*Wait until the young plants have around half a dozen leaves before transplanting them into larger pots. Protect these young plants from frost and transfer them into outdoor soil in the following spring if so desired. | #*Wait until the young plants have around half a dozen leaves before transplanting them into larger pots. Protect these young plants from frost and transfer them into outdoor soil in the following spring if so desired. | ||
| − | #Consider planting your ranunculus in a container. To plant ranunculus tubers in pots, fill the container about three quarters full of soil. Place the tubers so that they are around {{convert|10|in|cm|1}} apart from each other and fill the container with soil so that the tubers are covered in about two inches of soil.<ref>http://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/g-21-ranunculus-planting-guide.aspx</ref> Water the tubers to settle the soil. | + | #Consider planting your ranunculus in a container. To plant ranunculus tubers in pots, fill the container about three quarters full of soil. Place the tubers so that they are around {{convert|10|in|cm|1}} apart from each other and fill the container with soil so that the tubers are covered in about two inches of soil.<ref name="rf2">http://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/g-21-ranunculus-planting-guide.aspx</ref> Water the tubers to settle the soil. |
#*Remember container plants tend to dry out more easily than plants in the ground, so be mindful of watering over the growing season. Watering will be covered in Step 2 of Method 2. | #*Remember container plants tend to dry out more easily than plants in the ground, so be mindful of watering over the growing season. Watering will be covered in Step 2 of Method 2. | ||
#*Keep in mind that ranunculus plants tend to make a large root system, so don’t crowd them too much in containers. | #*Keep in mind that ranunculus plants tend to make a large root system, so don’t crowd them too much in containers. | ||
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#Feed your plants with ‘plant feed’ every 14 or so days. During the active growing season, which is generally spring through summer, try to support your plants by feeding them every fortnight (which is every 14 days). Start doing this as soon as the first buds appear on the plant. | #Feed your plants with ‘plant feed’ every 14 or so days. During the active growing season, which is generally spring through summer, try to support your plants by feeding them every fortnight (which is every 14 days). Start doing this as soon as the first buds appear on the plant. | ||
#*A general water-soluble plant feed or one that your rake into the soil is fine. This encourages the plant to produce flowers. You can purchase plant feed at your local gardening supply store. | #*A general water-soluble plant feed or one that your rake into the soil is fine. This encourages the plant to produce flowers. You can purchase plant feed at your local gardening supply store. | ||
| − | #Water your ranunculus. You should make a point to water your tubers just after planting, as mentioned above. Continue to water your new plants once every 10 to 14 days. When the first foliage, or leaves, appear on your plants, you should try to water them once a week.<ref | + | #Water your ranunculus. You should make a point to water your tubers just after planting, as mentioned above. Continue to water your new plants once every 10 to 14 days. When the first foliage, or leaves, appear on your plants, you should try to water them once a week.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Continue watering your plants once a week until fall comes around. In the fall, the ranunculus will die back, or go dormant, and will not need to be watered. Dormancy is covered more thoroughly in Step 5 of this section. | #*Continue watering your plants once a week until fall comes around. In the fall, the ranunculus will die back, or go dormant, and will not need to be watered. Dormancy is covered more thoroughly in Step 5 of this section. | ||
#Defend your ranunculus against pests. Sadly, ranunculus can fall prey to pests like slugs and aphids. Luckily, there are measures you can take to make sure that these pests stay away. | #Defend your ranunculus against pests. Sadly, ranunculus can fall prey to pests like slugs and aphids. Luckily, there are measures you can take to make sure that these pests stay away. | ||
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#Remove withered flowerheads with sharp garden scissors. As with many flowering plants, it’s advisable to remove spent flowerheads once they wither (when they dry up and die). This not only makes the plant look tidier, it also encourages other flowers to form and reduces the amount of energy the plant spends on seed formation, which helps preserve its strength. | #Remove withered flowerheads with sharp garden scissors. As with many flowering plants, it’s advisable to remove spent flowerheads once they wither (when they dry up and die). This not only makes the plant look tidier, it also encourages other flowers to form and reduces the amount of energy the plant spends on seed formation, which helps preserve its strength. | ||
#*Use a sharp pair of scissors to snip off the dead heads as soon as they begin to look scruffy. Try to cut the flower at the base of the stem, which is located in amongst the foliage, or leaves. | #*Use a sharp pair of scissors to snip off the dead heads as soon as they begin to look scruffy. Try to cut the flower at the base of the stem, which is located in amongst the foliage, or leaves. | ||
| − | #Allow your plant to ‘die back’ in the winter. Once the flowering season ends in fall, allow the foliage to die back. Dying back means that the plant becomes dormant until the next flowering season.<ref | + | #Allow your plant to ‘die back’ in the winter. Once the flowering season ends in fall, allow the foliage to die back. Dying back means that the plant becomes dormant until the next flowering season.<ref name="rf2" /> To encourage the plant to regrow the next season: |
#*Refrain from cutting the dead growth away before the first frost. You don’t need to water the plant while it is dormant; in fact, these plants do better if they are not watered while they are dormant in the winter. | #*Refrain from cutting the dead growth away before the first frost. You don’t need to water the plant while it is dormant; in fact, these plants do better if they are not watered while they are dormant in the winter. | ||
#Store the ranunculus inside during the winter if you live in a climate that gets heavy frost. Ranunculus will tolerate a light frost if left in the ground through a fairly mild winter. If your local climate regularly experiences heavy frost then dig up the tubers and store them in a cool dark place such as a garden shed for the winter. | #Store the ranunculus inside during the winter if you live in a climate that gets heavy frost. Ranunculus will tolerate a light frost if left in the ground through a fairly mild winter. If your local climate regularly experiences heavy frost then dig up the tubers and store them in a cool dark place such as a garden shed for the winter. | ||
