How to care for Ranunculus after germination
An introduction to the best temperature for germination and care of Ranunculus after germination, let's get to know together.
If we talk about flowers whose names have seriously delayed their popularity, Ranunculus definitely ranks first. It's because of its earthy and common name that many people overlook the beauty of Ranunculus. It should be known that the flowers of Ranunculus are very similar to peonies, hence it is also called the "foreign peony."
Ranunculus Introduction
Ranunculus is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Ranunculaceae family and the Ranunculus genus. It is also known as the "celery flower" because its leaves resemble celery, and it is native to southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia. Ranunculus flowers come in a variety of colors, similar to peonies, and are mostly double or semi-double. The natural blooming period of Ranunculus is from April to May in spring. The plant is small and very suitable for potted plants, and can also be used as cut flowers, making it a common ornamental potted plant and fresh cut flower material.
Ranunculus is a perennial rhizomatous flower that prefers a cool environment, is fond of light but not tolerant of direct sunlight, and has small underground rhizomes that look like claws. Therefore, the underground rhizomes are also called claws, and propagation is mostly done through division and sowing. Ranunculus is very beautiful, so how should it be cared for?
Ranunculus care methods and precautions
When growing Ranunculus at home, Lan Yao suggests buying small rhizomes (the Ranunculus "claws") to plant, as they bloom early and are easy to manage, while sowing has a longer maintenance period. The planting time of Ranunculus claws depends on the temperature, with most areas suitable for planting from the end of September to the beginning of November. Southern regions should wait until the temperature remains below 30 degrees before planting. In northern regions, if growing indoors, you can plant earlier, but if growing outdoors, it is recommended to plant in early spring, as winter cold can damage the plants.
There is an important germination operation before planting the Ranunculus claws, which can greatly improve the survival rate of the plants. Here is how Lan Yao germinates Ranunculus, which you can refer to.
Ranunculus Germination Method
Ranunculus claws are dormant in summer and usually arrive dry. Don't worry, before planting, soak them in clean water or a carbendazim solution for about 30 minutes to fully absorb moisture and swell, then take them out and dry the excess water.
While soaking the Ranunculus claws, you can prepare some pure vermiculite or pure perlite, wet them with water, and drain the excess. If you don't have vermiculite or perlite, you can use river sand as a substitute, or slightly moisten peat soil with water, which can also be used for Ranunculus claw germination.
How to care for Ranunculus after germination
Use a disposable lunch box, put a layer of prepared perlite at the bottom, then place the soaked Ranunculus claws on top, making sure not to put them upside down, with the bald side up and the pointed end down. Then cover with a layer of perlite, just covering 2/3 of the claws, and place it in the refrigerator's保鲜层 for germination.
Usually, you can see the Ranunculus claws germinate in about 7 days. During the waiting period, if the perlite is very dry, spray some water to replenish moisture, but don't let the bottom of the box accumulate water.
After the Ranunculus claws have germinated, you can transplant them into pots.
Ranunculus care methods and precautions
After the Ranunculus claws have germinated, they can be transplanted and planted. Generally, a pot of about 15cm can plant 1-2 plants, and a pot of about 20cm can plant 3 plants.
1. Potting soil
Ranunculus prefers well-drained sandy soil. The claws will rot in a waterlogged environment, so when potting, use loose and breathable soil, such as universal nutrient soil, mixed with 1/5 of granular soil. You can also add some fermented organic fertilizer, slow-release fertilizer, and bone meal as a base fertilizer.
Don't plant too deep, just covering the claws completely. After planting, water thoroughly and place it in a shady and well-ventilated area to wait for the sprouts to break through the soil. Don't water again before the sprouts break through the soil, and after the leaves grow, water normally.
2. Fertilization and watering management
Watering in daily maintenance should be thorough, watering when the top 2cm of potting soil is dry. In the early stage, mainly focus on leaf growth, using general growth fertilizers such as Huaduo 1, universal water-soluble fertilizers, and compound fertilizers. It is recommended to apply a fertilizer solution every 7 days.
When Ranunculus starts to bolt, it means it's about to bloom. At this time, switch to phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote flowering, applying Huaduo 2 or potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer every 25-7 days.
3. Light and temperature control