Ranunculus 2011

[mark smyth]

Can I kick off the new Ranunculus year?

The first Ranunculus are now up and if it was warmer they might open. I dont know how they are spreading. I have a small group now

R. kochii

[ranunculus]

You must be semi-tropical over there, Mark!!!   

[mark smyth]

Not today. It's ffffffrezzing and there is a gale blowing

[mark smyth]

Today I noticed a possible colour break among my Ranunculus ficaria. What do you think? This is the first flower to open with more buds coming. It looks like the greenish cream petal colour is bleaching to show green petals. Coppernob and Orange Sorbet do this fading from bright orange to pure white . Orange Sorbet retains some orange

[mark smyth]

Three more exciting R. ficaria seedlings in the garden. When the sun shines again I'll get better photos.
A plant with a giant leaf

A lemon flowered plants with a good looking leaf. One photo shows a comparison with a normal coloured flower

An orange flower possibly fading to the flower below

An Orange Sorbet look-a-like

[mark smyth]

What's the difference between R. crenatus and alpestris? They both look the same to me except alpestris is taller

[mark smyth]

some R. ficaria seedlings
almost white seedling
fading seedling
extra petals

This was the year I was planning to spray them all with Round-up

[WimB]

Hi Mark,

I love the Greenish and lemon coloured ones.

There's a very clear difference between R. crenatus and R. alpestris. R. crenatus grows lower and flowers with thinner petals (they look paperlike).

Here's two pictures (R. crenatus to the left and R. alpestris to the right). And also a pic of the flower of R. crenatus.

[mark smyth]

Thanks. I'm happy I have both

[mark smyth]

Wim all of these are in one seedling swarm and I dont know how I will take them apart. When I have enough you can have a bit of the lemon one.

[WimB]

Wim all of these are in one seedling swarm and I dont know how I will take them apart. When I have enough you can have a bit of the lemon one.

Thanks Mark,

that would be very nice...when you have a big enough clump!

[mark smyth]

OK

Here's a lovely Ranunculus but the label is missing. The leaves are round-ish and think

You all will think I'm boring mentioning R. ficaria but her's another starting to fade

[mark smyth]

and R. alpestris. It is as easy to divide as crenatus? Are any of these buttercups suitable for lime stone conditions?

[annew]

I've never noticed Ranunculus ficaria Aurantiacus bleaching out like this before - is it normal? Also, Double Bronze is making a takeover bid.

[mark smyth]

It must be the high levels of sunshine