A ranunculus bush in a pot, but also outdoors such as on the lawn, in a bed or in the middle of a coniferous hedge, can have a lot of visual appeal. But if the leaves turn yellow early, parts of the plant die or the flowers don't bloom, something is wrong.
What diseases can occur in the ranunculus bush?
Ranunculus diseases are rare because the plant is robust and not very susceptible. Common problems include care errors or a poor location. Control diseases such as fire blight by cutting off infected shoots and taking preventative measures such as mulching the root area and applying moderate fertilizer.
Disease infestation – rarely the case
As a rule, the ranunculus bush is not affected by diseases. It is considered robust and not very susceptible to disease. Often, certain symptoms on the plant are not due to pathogens and their damage, but rather to care errors. Therefore: care for your ranunculus bush properly!
Fire blight – recognize and treat
A ranunculus bush that is in the wrong location and suffers from poor care becomes susceptible to disease. Fire blight infestations can sometimes occur. You can recognize an infestation by:
- Leaves turn yellow to brown and dry up
- Flowers wilt early
- Shoot tips curve in a hook shape
- Ulcers on the wood appear
- the plant dies within a few weeks
Cut off affected plant parts and dispose of them
In the case of fire blight, the plant can only be helped in the initial stages of the infestation. Infected shoots should be cut off as quickly as possible. You should not put the clippings in the compost. The pathogens could survive and later spread to other plants. Therefore, dispose of the clippings in the household waste or burn them!
What pests can occur?
Just like disease infestation, pest infestation is extremely rare. The leaves and shoots of the ranunculus appear unattractive to most pests. Only young plants that have recently sprouted could occasionally be eaten by snails.
Prevention of diseases and pests
You can take these measures to prevent:
- Never allow the substrate to dry out
- Mulching the root area
- fertilize moderately with nettle manure
- Avoid radical cuts
- lighten regularly
- remove unnecessary runners
- do not expose to direct midday sun
- create good drainage in the substrate
Tip
Even a poor location - shady, cool and moist or sunny, hot and dry - can have a negative impact on the ranunculus bush within a very short time. He becomes so weakened that he becomes susceptible to disease.