Primula 2015

[WimB]

That is a nice red, Wim.
If I were a bull, I'd go crazy 

LOL, only milk-cows and pigs over here   

[David Nicholson]

In spite of my putting shade paint on the greenhouse (regular readers will know that this usually provokes rain of Biblical proportions for days on end) we have had only three days this month (so far) when it has rained and temperatures have been way above normal. Indeed the highest mid-afternoon greenhouse temperature has been 32C. with all available vents and the door open. My Primulas are hating it even though they are covered under a couple of layers of fleece.

The wind is gradually shifting to the South West and on Friday will see far cooler conditions with some appreciable amount of rain. It really is a b****e trying to grow Primulas in Devon.

[Philip Walker]

P. marginata 'Kesselring's Variety'

[Roma]

In 2002 I grew some primulas, mainly auricula hybrids, from seed from Fieldhouse Alpines.  I grew on far too many as I couldn't decide which to throw away.Most have died but last year I propogated some of the survivors and they are flowering now.

[mark smyth]

Side by side photos of three primroses I've found. Unfortunately my RHS colour chart doesn't do these colours. I must have bought a cheap version

What I have done is take three photos. One normal, one stepped down by a third and one stepped down by two thirds

The largest one I found yesterday.
The medium is the pale cream one I named 'Irish Cream'.
The small one is the white one I found earlier this week. Sadly it is not pristine white.
The last photo shows how my camera phone saw the plant with a normal flower for comparison

[johnstephen29]

Beautiful auriculas Roma.

[Giles]

Beautiful auriculas Roma.

   Very nice.

A tidy clump of P.sieboldii

[Roma]

Beautiful auriculas Roma.

Thanks John and Giles. 

[Chris Johnson]

That's a nicely proportioned Primula sieboldii, Giles, and a graceful leaf.

[Giles]

Thanks, Chris.
I grew it from seed sown about 3 yrs ago.
Funny thing is, it's growing in full sun in an alkaline soil (pH 8.0) which one's led to believe is everything it hates.

[Chris Johnson]

Giles - did you deliberately sow in those conditions or did they self sow, and what proportion germinated and survived?

[Giles]

Chris,
Primula sieboldii rarely sets any seed with me; so no self seeding.
I used Barnhaven seed (the only sieboldii seed that seems to be viable) and get very good germination (80% + ) planting out the plants in the open garden when they were one year old.
My garden is sunny and alkaline..  .. they have no choice.

2 useful tips given to me re. sieboldii's:
1. Seed requires a long cold period after sowing (I sow in December).
2. Keep plants moist through the summer, even after they die back. They're not dormant, they're busy underground.

[Chris Johnson]

Giles
Thanks for that useful information, I haven't bought from Barnhaven but will look at the site.

[Matt T]

My mystery 'Jenny?' is looking great too, and of all the Primula I have, she has the best scent. No response from the nursery yet re ID.

P. 'Jenny' ID update:
Had a response from Terry at Edrom and he has no further info on this plant. I have sent an email to Jim Jermyn in case he might recall anything about it. Watch this space...

[Matt T]

Mystery solved!

I've had a reply from Jim Jermyn, who says:

I think this is a classic case of a miss-spelling. The plant in question actually came to me from Jim Sutherland (nearer to you!!) and was correctly named Primula ‘Janet’ and was a P. marginata form/hybrid and very attractive.

I noticed at the weekend that there is another nursery selling what appears to be the same plant under the name 'Jenny'. I'll drop both nurseries an email to pass on the info I received.

Here's the pic of my plant again.