Buttercup flowers have over 500 different varieties of species around the world. These flowering plants belong to the Ranunculaceae family. Persian buttercups are the most popular verity, but we can see a lot of popular hybrid versions like Tecolote white, Tecolote orange, Tomer red, Delano yellow, Pon-Pon Hermione. These flowers look similar to rose-like blossoms. You can care for buttercup flowers easily without much effort.
Persian buttercups plants grow 10 -24 inches (25-61 cm) tall. Other varieties grow at different heights. Though can grow buttercups flower plants in similar conditions. These flowers are used for decoration in many functions such as weddings.
Ranunculus or buttercup flowers grow well in a cool climate with good sunlight conditions. This decorative plant grows well in USDA hardiness zones 6 and above. The perfect climate condition is USDA zone 8. In zone 3 – 6 regions, you can’t grow this plant outdoor in the winter season. This guide covers all things about Buttercup plants’ potting soil, pots, planting, watering, and fertilizer. When you grow ranunculus in containers, you can maintain the best growing conditions.
This plant is toxic to cattle, dogs, and cats, humans (if they ate leaves and flowers). Keep this plant away from them. When you are growing buttercup plants indoors, keep them at a bit higher level.
How to Care Ranunculus Buttercup Flower.
Buttercups plant potting soil mix recipe.
If we look at the buttercups flower soil mix it grow in well-drained soil. All varieties of this delicate plant require a similar potting mixture. This flowering plant requires medium moist and well-drained soil.
The ideal potting mix for ranunculus plants is, 45% of washed sands (not the beach sand), 35% of organic compost, 15% of garden soil, and 5% of perlite/charcoal/biochar small chips. It is not recommended to use peat moss and close to clay soil, they will kill your plant. If you want to grow this flower in a tropical environment you can use cocopeat to keep moist in dry seasons.
Wash Sands: Enhance the drainage of the pot.
Organic compost gives nitrogen and carbon-rich organic fertilizers.
Perlite/Charcoal or Biochar chips: improve the soil drainage and improve the dryness of the pot. The charcoal or biochar can easily absorb excess moisture and release it when the soil getting dry. Also, charcoal can protect against the plant roots rot. In a rainy environment, these ingredients are important. You can use only one ingredient.
Planting and Propagating.
For the ranunculus propagation, we can use either seeds or tubers/bulbs. Spring or Autumn is the best time to plant buttercups either by dividing tubers or planting seeds. Then you can expect flowers in late summer. For bloom in the spring, you have to plants in late summer.
This flowering plant can grow in pots, containers, borders, or planting beds. It grows annually but depending on the environmental condition it can be a perennial. In warmer areas, the best time is the rainy season.
Propagating from seeds: Autumn is the most suitable period to get new baby plants from the Ranunculus seeds. Place the seeds on moist soil and cover the seeds with soil, not deep. Regular watering is a must. Germination will take around 12 days. You can use either biodegradable containers or a plug tray to propagating Persian buttercup seeds. The best climate condition is 60 to 75 degrees F (15-23 C).
Propagating from tubers: If you purchase the tubers from the shops, you have to soak them for 10-12 hours in pure water. In such a pot, you can place 1 or 2 tubers. Then place the pointed spikes facing downwards, and cover 1-2 inches soil. The top of the tuber should not cover the soil. Move the nursery plant into a partial shade place until it started germination. When you use this propagation method, you can directly plant them in pots.
Within 6-10 days, you can see a small leave. After 20 days, you can see several inches tall plants.
Growing Ranunculus in Pots.
When growing ranunculus in pots uses 6-8 inch diameter pots. Make sure that pots have good drainage holes. Planting them on a pot is the best method to keep them in the winter season. Depending on the pot’s size, you can plant tubers. In a 6-8 inch diameter pot, can grow one plant. If you like several plants you can go for larger pots.
Growing Buttercup Outdoor.
Buttercup Flower can grow ground or pots. When you are planting them on the ground, plant them a little bit higher. It makes drainage well. You can use the same potting when planting them on the ground.
Growing Ranunculus Indoor.
Place the pot bright sunlight area. It grows rapidly in sunny areas. Every 3 to 4 months add compost. In the summer you can use a pebble tray to improve the humidity around the plant. In summer, if it has high-temperature plants will die. Repotting requires in every year if you keep the ranunculus plant after flowering.
Watering Requirement.
Regular watering requires. Persian buttercups love medium moist. You can water when the surface dried. The best time is morning and early morning.
Sunlight and lighting condition.
Buttercup plants love sunlight, but not high temperatures. Best flowering in a sunny location with a cool climate. These delicate plants dislike warmer days.
Fertilizer.
Adding high phosphorus and potassium fertilizer improves Buttercup blooming. Phosphorus gives more flower buds to the plant. For organic farmers, you can easily make high phosphorus compost at home by using a banana peel. Alternatively, you can use liquid fertilizer weekly.
When the plant growing adds slow-releasing fertilizer. Repeat it every 15 to 20 days. Place the fertilizers 2 or 3 inches away from the main stem and add 15-18 granules.
Blooming time.
Persian buttercups start flowing after 60-80 days from the planting and flowers keep around 5-7 weeks. It depends on the climate condition. Once flowers fade, remove the withered flower heads. It will improve other flower buds to blow and reduce unnecessary nutrition usage. These flowerheads can also use for seeding purposes.
Repotting Ranunculus plants.
Once the plant stopped flowering, you can keep the plant for next year. Keep the leaves on the plant until they die. In this stage, tubers will become dormant. Move the ranunculus pot to a cooler place for several months and keep it away from the snow.
