Are ranunculus perennials? All info

Ranunculus captivate with beautiful flowers. Since their cold tolerance is extremely low, they are usually cultivated as an annual. In this country, however, it is also possible to cultivate the popular ranunculus for several years. We'll show you how.

ranunculus

The common name "ranunculus" stands for Ranunculus asiaticus (Asian buttercup). Cultivated forms that are characterized by double flowers are usually used in the garden or on the balcony.

In the trade, the ornamental plants from the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) are also offered under the trivial names "florist buttercups", "giant buttercups" or "potted buttercups".

Cultivate ranunculus perennial

The key to successfully cultivating ranunculus perennial is overwintering, as the plants are extremely sensitive to frost. How you overwinter Ranunculus asiaticus successfully depends on the culture (pot or bed) and the climatic conditions in your region.

A notice:The cold tolerance of ranunculus is between -3 and -10 degrees Celsius. However, it is not recommended to try these temperatures on the plants. Because the tubers freeze faster than you think.

Overwinter in the bed

Since florist buttercups are not hardy, overwintering in the bed is only possible in very mild regions. However, they also need winter protection there. In order for the ranunculus to thrive for several years, proceed as follows:

• Prune plants in fall
• cover with a thick layer of brushwood, straw or leaves in the second half of October
• Remove the protective layer when no more frost is to be expected in spring

A notice: Protect the tubers from rain. Cool temperatures and wet soil make plants susceptible to disease and cause them to rot quickly.

Overwinter indoors

In order to protect planted ranunculus from the cold and wet, they are usually overwintered indoors in this country. For a successful overwintering, prepare the tubers as follows:

• Dig up ranunculus bulbs
• Carefully remove adhering remains of earth with a brush
• Cut off dried plant parts with a knife
• Separate the brood tuber from the mother tuber
• Place bulbs on newspaper or kitchen roll to dry
• allow to air dry for a day or two

A notice: To signal the ranunculus that they are about to go dormant, readjust the heyday stop fertilizing and give the plants significantly less water.

When the tubers have dried, place the florist's ranunculus in a wooden box that you previously took with you Lined with newspaper or straw and loosely cover the buttercups with the Insulating material. Alternatively, you can pound the storage organs in sand. After packing, put the crate into winter quarters with the following characteristics:

• Temperature between five and eight degrees Celsius
• dry
• dark (also no artificial light)
• airy
• Examples of good winter quarters: unheated basement or garage

In March the time in the winter quarters ends. Remove the insulating material from the tubers. Discard any damaged or rotten ranunculus. Place healthy ranunculus bulbs in cold water for a few hours. Then they come to prefer in pots with soil. The planting depth is five centimetres. Towards the end of April you can put the plants in the garden bed.

A notice: Ranunculus is poisonous in all parts of the plant. As a precaution, people with sensitive skin should therefore wear gloves when handling the plants.

Overwinter pot ranunculus

Ranunculus that are kept in a pot or window box must always be kept indoors over the winter. However, you don't necessarily have to dig up the tubers. The plants can move into the winter quarters with the pot if the planter is not needed elsewhere and you have enough space in the basement.

A notice: To give the ranunculus a good start to the new season, change part of the substrate at the end of February / beginning of March.

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