Ranuncula (frog, small frog) is a flower that belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, and which in recent years has been increasingly popular in the garden, in a vase, but also as flowers for wedding bouquets. Few people can resist the rich soft pastel flowers that come in one or two colors, so they have become a common flower to grow.
Growing ranunculus is not complicated, and in return you will get a garden painted with a fan of different colors. Today, the ranunculus has more than 400 types of flowers that differ in stem height, flower head size, and color.
Ranunculus comes in white (the most popular), pink, red, orange, yellow, golden yellow, and salmon colors, and newer varieties of ranunculus also come in stripes. Its tiny petals of gorgeous color seem as if they are made of the finest and thinnest paper. They took the layered form of a round flower, and the color comes in tone from the weakest to the strongest – it intensifies towards the petals on the outside.
The individual flower head of each ranunculus comes on a long flower stalk. Ranunculus is usually planted from a tuber shaped like a large claw, and the number of flowers it will produce and their size can be predicted by its size. Ranunculus can grow to a height of 30 to 50 cm and a width of 20 cm.
In our area, ranunculus is also called frog, frog plant or small frog, which comes from the Latin translation “little frog”. The reason is that it is a flower that will thrive near water.
Planting ranunculus
Ranunculus is planted from tubers:
- in the autumn months (Mediterranean climate or indoor cultivation) – will give flowers in March
- in the spring months (continental climate) – will give flowers in June and July
In specialized stores, you can get tubers for planting that will be hard and dry. Once they have collected enough moisture, they will soften. Some advise to soak the tubers before planting to soften them, but be careful because then there is a high possibility that they will start to rot. If you have decided to soak the tubers in water, it should not be too long, a maximum of 3 to 4 hours.
In the spring months, in the area with a continental climate, ranunculus is planted at the end of March in the garden, in containers on the balcony or in pots. The soil where the tuber is placed must be rich in nutrients and well cultivated. Place the tuber so that the tips of the roots are facing the ground.
Well-drained soil and sunny position (direct sun) will suit Ranuncula for growth and development. Do not plant it in places with stagnant water, because in combination with warm air, it could wither.
Although in the spring and autumn months, when the ranunculus is planted there is still no danger of rotting, you should be careful. To make sure that the plant will sprout and that it will not rot, plant it in well-drained soil at a depth of 3 to 5 cm. If you plant the ranunculus tuber in heavier soil such as loam, plant it at a shallower depth.
Spacing between plants should be for:
- larger species – 20 to 30 cm
- smaller species – 10 cm
Watering ranunculus
Regardless of which planting site you decide on, it needs to be well watered. Water as needed. When the soil is moist, watering is not necessary. In two to three weeks, shoots will emerge and then the plant needs to be watered abundantly.
Propagation of ranunculus
Propagation of ranunculus is possible:
- from tubers
- by sharing
- from seeds
The plant is most often propagated from tubers, which must be removed from the ground in autumn (they do not tolerate low temperatures well), separated, dried and planted in spring. In the autumn months, it is planted exclusively in areas with a warm climate, where there is no danger of frost or for cultivation in greenhouses.
Cultivation of ranunculus
When the root tubers sprout, the planting location can be determined according to their size. Bigger plants that grow taller produce a greater number of flowers, so they are recommended to be planted in growing containers, while the smaller ranunculus are more suitable for planting in the garden.
If you plant them in containers, the ranunculus will adapt well to the new conditions and develop branched roots. For growing in containers, choose those with a minimum diameter of 25 cm, in which you can plant one larger plant or two smaller ones.
Ranunculus care
If you grow ranunculus in containers, feed them every two weeks with flowering plant food. If you want the ranunculus to bloom sooner, keep the pots closed on a window facing west or south after planting. At this moment, a temperature of 13 degrees will suit them best.
In early spring, the ranunculus gradually adapts to the external conditions. You take them outside every day and keep them outside longer and longer. Before it gets dark, bring them indoors. Ranunculus, which is initially grown in pots, can be transplanted into the garden at the end of May.
Blooming ranunculus
In continental areas, the plant blooms from January to May. It does not tolerate temperatures below zero, so keep that in mind if you want to plant it in the autumn months. If you grow it in pots, put them indoors and let them cool down that way.
Dormant process
After the flowering of the plant is over and its leaves and flowers have dried, remove the tubers from the soil, clean them well and prepare them for planting for the next season. Store the tubers in a dark and cool place.
However, since it is a perennial, you can leave the plant to overwinter (dormant) in the soil in the garden, and with the arrival of warmer weather, it should start growing and flowering again.
Diseases and pests of ranunculus
If you are going to plant it in the garden and greenhouse, watch out for powdery mildew. If it is attacked by powdery mildew, immediately remove the infected parts of the plant so that the infection does not spread further.
Although ranunculus is a moisture-loving plant, it does not tolerate too much watering, and this is one of the most common reasons why it withers and rots. Namely, when there is too much moisture, ranunculus becomes fertile ground for the development of botrytis – a dangerous fungus that attacks most vegetable crops. Therefore, water moderately and as needed.
History and uses of ranunculus
The ranunculus arrived in Europe in the 16th century from Persia, and became famous after it was popularized by the travel writer Sir John Chardin, who discovered it in the legendary Persian gardens. Already in the next century, ranunculus cultivation was at its peak, and its popularity was similar to that of tulips. Along with tulips, ranunculus is a true spring flower, another symbol of spring that blooms from late winter until late spring. At the transition from the 19th to the 20th century, their popularity dropped sharply, but today they have been rediscovered.
There is an interesting legend about the origin of ranunculus. It is believed that a young, handsome and good prince was bewitched by a wicked witch and turned into a frog. As a frog, the prince still kept his beautiful voice with which he could cheer up many creatures, but he was very unhappy. Over time, the grief became greater, and eventually he died of grief. Water nymphs found his body, and a beautiful ranunculus blossomed in that place.
Ranunculus flowers are an excellent choice for romantic simple bouquets, space decoration – in pots, vases or on their own. Regardless of the decor you choose, its gorgeous flowers will stand out.
Today, the ranunculus is naturally distributed on the soil of Africa and Asia.
Photo: Capri23auto/Pixabay