How to care for Ranunculus after germination
This article focuses on the introduction of green plants and flowers, including the care of Ranunculus after germination and precautions, which will certainly help you. Let's learn about it together!
If we talk about flowers whose names seriously hinder their popularity, Ranunculus would definitely rank first. Due to its unassuming and common name, many people overlook the beauty of Ranunculus. It's worth noting that the flowers of Ranunculus are very similar to peonies and are also known as 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" due to its leaf resemblance to celery and is native to Southeastern Europe and Southwest Asia. Ranunculus comes in a variety of colors, with a flower shape similar to peonies, 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 pot cultivation, as well as for cut flowers, making it a common ornamental pot plant and fresh cut flower material.
Ranunculus is a perennial herbaceous flower that prefers a cool environment and is not tolerant to direct sunlight. It has small underground rhizomes that look like claws, hence the name "claw." Propagation usually involves division and sowing methods. Ranunculus is very beautiful, so how should it be cared for?
Ranunculus Care Methods and Precautions
When growing Ranunculus at home, it is recommended to buy small rhizomes (the "claws" of Ranunculus) for planting, as they bloom earlier and are easier to manage. Seed sowing, on the other hand, has a longer care period. The planting time for Ranunculus claws depends on the temperature. In most regions, planting can be done from the end of September to the beginning of November. In southern regions, planting should be postponed until temperatures consistently drop below 30 degrees. In northern regions, if growing indoors in pots, planting can be done earlier. If planting outdoors, it is recommended to plant in early spring to avoid frost damage.
Before planting, there is an important step of germination stimulation for Ranunculus claws. Germinating before planting can greatly improve the survival rate. Here's how I stimulate the germination of Ranunculus, which you can use as a reference.
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 fungicide solution for about 30 minutes to allow the claws to absorb enough water, become plump, and then remove them after drying the excess moisture.
How to Care for Ranunculus after Germination
While soaking the Ranunculus claws, you can prepare some pure vermiculite or pure perlite, moisten it with water, and drain excess moisture. If you don't have vermiculite or perlite, you can use river sand or slightly moistened peat soil as a substitute for germination.
Use a disposable lunch box, place a layer of prepared perlite at the bottom, then place the soaked Ranunculus claws on top, making sure not to place them upside down, with the bald end facing up and the pointed end down. Then cover with a layer of perlite, covering about 2/3 of the claws, and place it in the refrigerator's保鲜层 for germination.
Usually, within about 7 days, you can see the Ranunculus claws germinate. During the germination period, if the perlite becomes very dry, spray some water to supplement moisture, but do not let the bottom of the box accumulate water.
After the Ranunculus claws germinate, they can be transplanted into pots.
Ranunculus Care Methods and Precautions
After the Ranunculus claws germinate, they can be transplanted and planted. A pot of about 15 cm in diameter can hold 1-2 plants, while a pot of about 20 cm in diameter can hold 3 plants.
1. Potting Soil
Ranunculus prefers well-drained sandy soil. The claws of Ranunculus will rot in waterlogged conditions. When potting, use loose and breathable soil. You can use a general-purpose nutrient-rich soil mixed with 1/5 of particle soil. Add some decomposed organic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer and bone meal as a base fertilizer when planting.
Planting does not need to be deep, just enough to completely cover the Ranunculus claws. After planting, water thoroughly and place in a shaded and well-ventilated area to wait for the seedlings to break through the soil. Before the seedlings break through the soil, there's no need to water again. After the leaves grow, water can be given normally.
2. Fertilization and Water Management