Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Ranunculus asiaticus
Compared to the experience of most people in the aspect of ranunculus cultivation and precautions for green plant maintenance, these are very good tips and knowledge, recommended for collection!
Ranunculus asiaticus is called "oriental peony" because its flowers resemble peonies, and its leaves look like celery leaves, hence it is also known as celery flower. It is very suitable for pot cultivation and can also be planted in flower beds. It has many flowers, uniform blooming periods, and is also good as cut flower material.
Ordinary ranunculus flowers have rich colors but not particularly large blooms. However, the "Koi" series of ranunculus have especially large flowers and very unique colors. The layered petals resemble a bride's skirt and the gradient colors are very eye-catching. Due to the large flowers and rare colors, Koi ranunculus has become a very popular flower material in the flower art circle.
Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Ranunculus asiaticus
Whether it is ordinary ranunculus or "Koi" ranunculus, the maintenance is basically the same, as they are both ranunculus. The Koi ranunculus prefers more fertilizer since it has larger flowers and more petals. To cultivate ranunculus well, it is recommended to start with the following points.
1. -- Germination Induction --
The planting time for ranunculus is generally from September to November in autumn, and they bloom from February to April the following year. The propagation methods usually involve播种 (seeding) and bulb propagation, with bulb propagation being the most common. For home cultivation, it is recommended to use bulbs as they bloom quickly and produce many flowers.
Ranunculus bulbs are small and look like claws, hence we call them "claws." The claws need to be pre-germinated at low temperatures before planting. If planted directly, they will not germinate when the temperature is high, and if the water control is not good, the claws can easily rot. Therefore, it is generally done first in the refrigerator to pre-germinate before planting. The specific method is as follows:
①. First, soak the claws of ranunculus in water or in a solution of 800 times the amount of carbendazim, allowing the shrunken claws to absorb enough water, then take them out and dry the excess water on the surface.
②. Bury the claws in珍珠岩 (perlite) or clean sand. You can first lay a layer of pure perlite in a plastic container, then place the soaked claws on the perlite and cover them with another layer of perlite, completely covering the claws. Finally, spray the perlite with water using a spray bottle and place it in the refrigerator's保鲜层 (refrigeration section) to wait for germination.
The perlite can also be pre-moistened, dried of excess moisture, and then used, so there's no need to spray water. Generally, germination can occur within a week in the refrigerator. Once the claws have white roots and germinate, they can be transplanted.
2. -- Soil Preparation and Transplanting --
Ranunculus claws will rot if they are waterlogged, so when potting, the soil should be as loose and breathable as possible. You can use general nutrient-rich soil or soil specifically for bulbous flowers, and add some decomposed organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer when planting.
First, fill the pot with planting soil, then place the pre-germinated ranunculus claws on the soil surface and cover them. They don't need to be planted too deep, just completely covering the claws is fine.
After planting, water thoroughly and then place the pot in a shady and well-ventilated area to wait for the seedlings to grow. Before the seedlings break through the soil, there's no need to water again. After the leaves grow, normal fertilization and watering can be carried out.
3. -- Fertilization and Water Management --
As the ranunculus grows, gradually increase fertilization and watering. When the top 2cm of the soil surface is dry, water is needed. In the early stages, mainly grow leaves using general growth fertilizer, such as "Flower多多1号." Maintain fertilization every 7 days or so.
When the ranunculus has grown flower spikes, you can switch to using "Flower多多2号" or potassium dihydrogen phosphate for root irrigation and foliar spray. Especially for Koi ranunculus, which has very large flowers and many petals, a lot of fertilizer is needed. It is recommended to maintain fertilization every 3-5 days to ensure sufficient phosphorus and potassium.
4. -- Light and Temperature Control --
Ranunculus is a flower that likes light but not strong light. In autumn and early spring, it can maintain sufficient light to make the ranunculus grow矮状 (short and sturdy). In spring, with the increase of light intensity, the light should be appropriately reduced, or placed in a bright area with scattered light for maintenance.
Ranunculus prefers cool climates and can tolerate low temperatures of -5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, in areas above -5 degrees, they can overwinter outdoors. In colder regions, it is recommended to bring them indoors to overwinter, which can提前 (advance) flowering.
5. -- Oversummering Method --
After the ranunculus finishes flowering in spring, the above-ground part will gradually wither and enter a dormant period. Therefore, you can first cut off the residual flowers after spring flowering, wait for the nutrients in the branches and leaves to flow back into the claws, and after the above-ground part withers, dig out the claws and place them in a shady and well-ventilated place to dry and store. Wait until autumn to pre-germinate and plant again.
The above content about the cultivation methods and precautions for ranunculus is for reference by green plant enthusiasts, hoping to solve your problems in green plant and flower management.