Primulas- February 2009

[johngennard]

Giles,
If it works and it obviously does,don't change it.

[Giles]

I think my 'Tantallon' is a few days ahead of yours. However hard I try, everything gets coated with the farina.
Really weird to see, when I was last at Dunbar, signs saying 'Tantallon' 3 miles!!

[Maggi Young]

Tantallon Castle is a fine place..... could do with some renovations and mod cons, though 
 Primula 'Tantallon' was named by Margaret and Henry Taylor, whose house name is 'Tantallon' .... it has mod cons!!

[Giles]

I had realised they are collectors and growers of fine plants, but hadn't realised the Scots had named a castle after their house 

[johanneshoeller]

Giles,
do you keep your Primulas (Tantallon,...) very dry in winter and frost-free? I always have problems when they start to grow and then we get cold weather again.

My sleeping Primula clusiana.

[Giles]

Hi Hans,
I keep them dry (not watered since October), but not frost free.
All my primulas are outside (but with lids over them to keep the wet off).
The lowest we had was -15C, and we had one week where the temperature didn't go above -3C.
Though it looks cute now, it is actually riddled with virus - this is only evident later in the year when the farina has worn off the leaves.

[Giles]

..and another..

[Lesley Cox]

Obvious to me now that what I had as 'Tantallon' from Ardfearn in 1993, wasn't. It had no farina and the flowers were pink, pretty much like x Scapeosa.

[Giles]

I've got a spare one, if you would like it.
I guess sending it when it's dormant would be best -
but are you allowed to have it?

[Lesley Cox]

I've got a spare one, if you would like it.
I guess sending it when it's dormant would be best -
but are you allowed to have it?

Are you talking to me Giles? What a dear, dear man you are, but NO I wouldn't be allowed to have it, not without several thousands of dollars worth of red tape anyway. A lovely thought however. Thank you very much.

[Giles]

I don't know if it's just a case of being a poor clone, but I think this one's heading for the compost heap
P.bracteosa.....

[johanneshoeller]

Does anybody know this white Primula (Gardasee) and a wonderful marginata (Italy)

[hadacekf]

Hans,
the white primula is P. daonensis.

[Maggi Young]

I don't know if it's just a case of being a poor clone, but I think this one's heading for the compost heap
P.bracteosa.....

Giles, you are a harsh fellow, the compost heap is a step too far, I think...... a neighbour's garden, perhaps??

[Giles]

Ooooh no....
.....its the snails that go over the fence into nextdoors garden (and you think I'm joking?)