Primulas 2011.

[Graham Catlow]

And Graham, your yellow looks a lot like P. 'Broadwell Gold,' raised by the late Joe Elliott of Broadwell Alpines.

Thank you Lesley,
I have just Googled it and it looks exactly like that. Interestingly the first google link is to the SRGC site and a link to the Primula thread of April 2009 and a photo from Wim B.

[ChrisB]

Here's a couple I bought at Edinburgh on Saturday:

Primula allionii Harry Jans
Primula Kusum Krishna

[ChrisB]

And one or two P. auriculas just coming into flower.

  Names added in text to allow search to find

Primula-auricula-Joel.jpg
Primula-auricula-Mojave.jpg
Primula-auricula-Remus.jpg
Primula-auricula-Sirius.jpg

[ChrisB]

And one allionii I've had a while.  It stays almost as tiny as when I bought it, but is full of bloom just now:  P. a. Fairy Rose

[daveyp1970]

Davey, could your first picture be P x Pubescens 'Harlow Carr?' It is a creamy-white with the palest, most delicate rose pink colouring at the edge, and nice ruffling. The pink ages out. Wonderful scent too.

And Graham, your yellow looks a lot like P. 'Broadwell Gold,' raised by the late Joe Elliott of Broadwell Alpines.

Lesley i think you are right,it has a superb scent.

[hadacekf]

At present flowers Primula marginata in the rock garden.

[ChrisB]

Such beautiful clumps Franz

[Hoy]

Pretty primulas in a perfect setting, Franz!

[daveyp1970]

And one or two P. auriculas just coming into flower.

  Names added in text to allow search to find

Primula-auricula-Joel.jpg
Primula-auricula-Mojave.jpg
Primula-auricula-Remus.jpg
Primula-auricula-Sirius.jpg

Lovely Auriculas Chris do you have a large collection.

[mark smyth]

I think I could get hooked on Primulas.

How and when can I propagate my marginatas?

[ChrisB]

Hi Davey,

No, not a huge collection, about 25 probably.  I got a few more when I got the latest book on them last year and ordered a few more choice ones.  Joel is one of those, and it is just wonderful.

Mark,

I've found it very easy indeed to propagate my marginatas, just cut a chunk off the side and stick it in a pot of compost and keep it just moist and out of full sun and it should root for you.  auriculas are even easier if anything.

[Lesley Cox]

I think I could get hooked on Primulas.

How and when can I propagate my marginatas?

I have been, for longer than you've been alive Mark!

You can grow marginatas from seed which is set for me, usually.

To do named forms, you can divide a big clump, putting the pieces separately or in small groups with some root or you can take cuttings, just by cutting off the leafy rosettes with a length of stem, say about 3-4cms, and inserting them in damp sand or a gritty mix and keeping cool until they are growing and obviously rooted. They're quite easy. You'll also find some small rosettes inside the clump which already have roots and these are good starter plants too. I believe they are known in the north as Irish cuttings. We would call them Maori cuttings probably.  When the plants have become very woody and the stems are well above the surface, either propagate as above, or just dig the clump and bury it with the stems below ground and just the rosettes above. This preserves the clump size but if you want a greater number, you can then dig the clump and you'll find the previously bare, woody stems are all rooted ready to be separate plants.

I'd do cuttings any time except when in flower or in the dead of winter. Probably after flowering is best.

[ChrisB]

Lesley, I think I've managed to root an allionii, are they generally as easy as marginata's to propagate this way?

[Nick_the_grief]

Being new at this game I haven't had chance to post many photo's of my minuscule collection, but here are a couple from yesterday taken on the phone.



P.Auricula 'Everest Blue'



P. Cortusoides primadiente

Sorry about the quality but it was windy and my camera was upstairs
(and it took some working out how to post these from photoshop express )

[daveyp1970]

Being new at this game I haven't had chance to post many photo's of my minuscule collection, but here are a couple from yesterday taken on the phone.



P.Auricula 'Everest Blue'



P. Cortusoides primadiente

Sorry about the quality but it was windy and my camera was upstairs
(and it took some working out how to post these from photoshop express )

Nick Everest blue is really nice.