Primula 2014

[Maggi Young]

Roma, I wondered if we (being Scots!) were being sidetracked by the closeness of "Gigas"  to Gigha ?  And what if the Gigas is NOT a real cultivar name but merely a description?

" gigas  -  of a polyploid plant:
having a thicker stem, taller growth, thicker and darker leaves, and larger flowers and seeds than a corresponding diploid plant "

 

P.S.  I knowthat several nurseries are listing it as a cultivar name 'Gigas' but that doesn't mean to say that it's "official" or correct!

[ChrisB]

It's been listed as such in the Plantfinder for a number of years Maggi, though I'm only too well aware they bend to the wishes of nursery folks.  I'll ask Mr Richards if he knows anything about its history Monday coming....

[Lvandelft]

A friend gave me a plant of Primula rosea 'Gigas'.  Does anyone know its origin?

Roma and Maggi,  seeing Roma’s  question I did some research. Hopefully it is of help to you?

Mr. Georg Arends writes in his book “Mein Leben als Gärtner und Züchter” (1951) that he used Primula rosea Grandiflora for breeding purposes
Primula rosea grandiflora has come out of Herr Max Leichtlin’s hands. (Gardener’s Chronicle, July  24, 1886)  Max Leichtlin was a famous gardener and founded a private Botanical Garden at Baden-Baden in Germany.
 Arends mentioned that in a garden of a Primula lover in the Lower Rhine area, shortly before World War II started, a strong growing form with large flowers and large flower umbels of Primula rosea was found and described in the Journal “Gartenwelt” which possibly could be a cross or a by chance originated  Polyploid form.
Seeds from this plant were offered as Primula rosea Gigas Wasserme’s Riesen. “Gigas” is (was) a much used name in Germany.
Therefore I presume the name Gigas is since that time used for large-flowered seed strains of Primula rosea Grandiflora.
I could not yet find anything about the name Micia Visser de Geer, a seed raised cultivar as well, but I cannot think there exists any original plant of this, because as far as I know these primula’s are only generatively propagated. It’s also in the trade as P. rosea Delight.

[Maggi Young]

Well done, Luit - good hunting. Thank you!

[Roma]

Thank you Luit for this information.

[Leena]

That was interesting history about P.rosea 'Gigas', thank you.
This primula grows well also here in my garden, starting to flower soon.

[ChrisB]

So very interesting Luit.  Looks like you got an interesting plant Roma.  Couldn't possibly grow it here in my sandy soil though, needs damp I understand...

[krisderaeymaeker]

First time flowering here : a young specimen of Primula reidii ssp. williamsii.£
Growing in a peatblock .

[David Nicholson]

Growing in a peatblock .

I don't know you Belgians have it all, peatblocks, tufa rocks....... so lucky

[Lvandelft]

A friend gave me a plant of Primula rosea 'Gigas'.  Does anyone know its origin?

Here some more information about the other form of P. rosea:

The Primula rosea Micia Visser de Geer was probably named by Ruys (Moerheim) in honour of the woman of noble birth, Jenny Micheline de Geer (1907-1966), who was married in 1929 with Mr. W. A. J. Visser ( 1904-1975). Mr. Visser was major of the village Avereest from 1931- 1937, a village close to Dedemsvaart, the place where the Moerheim nursery was. Later he became the major of the Dutch city The Hague.
Her pet name was Mitsia, (for the plant trade in Holland “Micia”  sounds easier).
The founder of the Moerheim nursery, Bonne Ruys, did have many important connections in Holland, England, Scandinavia and Germany, so it is a good possibility that this is the right story?
The plant must have been very special and had very large flowers of one inch in diameter.

[krisderaeymaeker]

I don't know you Belgians have it all, peatblocks, tufa rocks....... so lucky

And Belgian beer David 

[Maggi Young]

......and CHOCOLATE !!!!! Let's not forget the most important Belgian treasure. 

[hwscot]

Cortusa matthioli pekinensis, seed from last year's list. Many thanks to whoever contributed the seed.

[Yann]

Maggi 

[deplantspecialist]

In flower here in Holland:

Primula involucrata