I obtained a small amount of seed of Primula sikuensis from SRGC’s 64th distribution, after reading a note of P35 of the seed list. The author described it as a ‘small and most worthy gem, a cousin of the strapping P.polyneura’, and appealed for it to be kept going before its genes became contaminated. I would like to say what a good natured plant it is, problem free and a pleasure to grow. My seed was sown on Jan 1/11, and eight seedlings were pricked out on June 6/11. Five have been raised in the alpine house and three outside. The alpine house plants are in flower, with the exception of one that is just breaking its dormancy [!]. The flower stems range from ten and a half inches to one foot. The ones outside are getting ready to flower but the stems are at least half the size, four and a half inches, more in character, I imagine, in contrast to the ones in the a/h that have been grown in humus rich compost in ideal conditions. The flowers are an enchanting blue, and intoxicatingly scented. I have had my pollinating brush out, so I’m hoping for some seed to send back to the exchange.
