Primula in Sikkim, 2017

[Claire Cockcroft]

I've posted pictures of meconopsis and orchids from my trek in Northern Sikkim this summer.  The last group is primulas.  In no particular order, except alphabetical, is P. calderiana, P. capitata, and tiny P. concinna.

[Claire Cockcroft]

More primulas: P. denticulata, P. elongata, P. klattii

[Claire Cockcroft]

Primula macrophylla, seen above 4900m, and P. primulina with its pom-pom center.

[Claire Cockcroft]

One more tiny primula: P. sapphirina in white and lavender

[Claire Cockcroft]

The last group and the most plentiful (though P. capitata was a close second), P. sikkimensis.

[Maggi Young]

Well, you know, I do think all primulas are beautiful - especially when they are sweetly scented - but for  mega appeal in a small package, aren't those P. sapphirina just the best?

[Claire Cockcroft]

I have to agree, Maggi. It's the first time I've seen P. sapphirina.  It wowed me!
...Claire

[David Nicholson]

A WOW from me too.

[Leena]

A WOW from me too.

And me, too.
Especially the field full of P.sikkimensis, but it must have been wonderful to see all those smaller Primulas in the wild, too.

[David Sellars]

I do like Primula sikkimensis.  Those are huge cabbages. From your field observations Claire, did you get any insights into the best way of growing them in the garden.

[Leena]

From your field observations Claire, did you get any insights into the best way of growing them in the garden.

I'm also interested in this. For me P.sikkimensis has been short lived, but maybe I have tried to grow it in a wrong place.

[Claire Cockcroft]

P. sikkimensis was found in damp places.  In glacial moraines, there was water running beneath the surface, and clouds of water vapor blew in to dampen plants (and hikers) every afternoon.  Where it was growing with other dense vegetation, the soil was clay, so it retained moisture even with the competing roots.  But the slopes were steep, so water couldn't pool.  We often found it beside small streams.

We camped in that field of P. sikkimensis.  It was hard to walk without stepping on it or M. simplicifolia.
...Claire

[Leena]

We camped in that field of P. sikkimensis.  It was hard to walk without stepping on it or M. simplicifolia.

Sounds like a dream.

Thanks for the P.sikkimensis info, mine grew probably in too dry soil.

[Hoy]

Nice primulas Claire!