Buttercup (another name - Ranunculus ) is a plant from the family of buttercups. In total there are more than four hundred species.
Flowers of buttercups: planting, growing and care
In the spring, you can start planting buttercups with seeds or dividing a bush. Cultivation of buttercup from seeds is a rather laborious process, therefore, preference should be given to the use of ready-made bushes.
Planting from seeds
Before planting garden buttercups it is necessary to prepare boxes for seedlings. Seeds begin to sow in March to a depth of not more than two centimeters. Then the seedlings should be covered with a glass jar or plastic bag to maintain the optimum temperature level. Periodically the seedlings are aired and make sure that the earth is not dry. After 2.5 weeks, the glass is removed and seedlings are placed in a room with a temperature of 15-17 degrees. As soon as two real leaflets appeared, buttercups must be dived into separate flower pots. Further in the beginning of May they make a landing in the open ground.
Planting of ready-made bushes
When planting them, the roots must first be moistened in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, in wet sawdust or moss. The roots are planted in the ground to a depth of 5 cm.
Buttercup is an unpretentious plant, because the soil is undemanding. For its cultivation friable, fertile soil will do. On the bottom should lay out drainage, to exclude root rot.
Buttercup requires a fertilizer complex fertilizer in the summer and potash fertilizers - in the fall.
When choosing a landing site, you should give preference to a shaded location on the western or eastern side of the site. However, under direct sunlight, the plant will feel comfortable.
Buttercup demanding watering. It is important to constantly keep the soil moist. In this case, if the plant is too much water, then its roots may show signs of diaper rash.
When perennial flowers of buttercups blossom?
Flowering usually begins in late June-early July.
If you are trying to grow buttercups from seeds, you will be able to see flowers only in the second year.
Periodically, you need to remove the buds that "have fulfilled their task." This will prolong the flowering period of the plant, and it will look more neat and well-groomed.
After the plant has faded, its rhizomes must be excavated and stored in a dry, cool place throughout the winter. This need is due to the fact that low temperature buttercups are poorly tolerated and may even die.
Diseases and pests
Peduncles and leaves of buttercups can be covered with white mold. And as a result of infection with fungi on petioles and petals often appear brown spots. The greatest danger is represented by nematodes, which damage the root system of the plant. Butterflies like to eat leaves. Various insecticides are used to prevent pest attacks (for example, advantage).
So that you can see the flowers of extraordinary beauty every day, you need to know how to care for buttercups. Only if all the conditions of cultivation are observed, you can enjoy the beauty of their flowering.
The plant blooms the whole summer, so it is often used as an ornament of the infield or the interior of the house. On the ground, the buttercup is decorated with curbs, mixborders or planting it in flower beds. At home it can be planted in a flower pot.
If you decide to grow calves in your garden, you should pay attention to the Asian buttercup, which is unpretentious in care and grown quite easily.