Garden primrose is a primrose that is hard enough to grow. Sometimes even experienced flower growers can not cope with this task. But do not give up, these bright spring flowers can still be independently planted at home. The main thing is knowledge, endurance and patience.
Bright spring flower
Primrose belongs to the family of primroses. This plant can be found on almost every continent. Particular distribution of primrose occurs in Central Europe and the temperate climatic zone of North America and Asia.
Translated from Latin, "primus" means "first." This name is not surprising, because this plant blooms in the early days of spring, when often snow still lies outside the window. In early March, flower pots with bright bouquets are pleasing to the eye. These flowers are a great gift for all women.
In our country, primrose came from China.
Primrose is not only remarkable for its diversity and bright color. This plant blooms for a long time. There are annual and perennial species.
Indoor primrose has a fibrous root system with a short stem. Leaflets are soft, with a small fluff. Often there are a lot of flowers. Blooming primrose seems to be a small bunch. They can be purple, pink, lilac, navy blue, white. In this case, the pharynx of the tube is always yellow.
Variety of varieties of primrose for home growing
As you know, there are many varieties of primrose. For growing at home, these types of plants are more suitable:
- The primrose is soft-leaved. Her homeland is China. This is an annual plant that can grow up to 50 cm high. The leaves are long, serrated, up to 20 cm long, with a pleasant aroma. The plant blooms in the second half of winter.
- Primrose is Chinese. Reaches 30 cm in height. The diameter of the flowers is 4 cm, the length of the leaves is up to 30 cm. The leaves are serrated, the flowers are wavy. To bloom every year, you need to provide her with a period of rest.
- The primrose is stemless or ordinary. This plant is characterized by large flowers of yellow, red and blue. Wrinkled leaves.
- Primrose Kew. The leaves are heart-shaped, have a specific white coating. Yellow flowers, small, with a pleasant aroma.
- Primrose is inverse conic. The birthplace of this plant is China. It is a perennial that reaches 50 cm in height. Leaves are omitted, rounded. Flowers are red, pink and blue.
Sowing time
It is possible to grow primrose from seeds, it is only necessary to know some rules. If the main purpose of cultivation is to obtain a potted plant, then planting seeds can occur at any time. The main thing is to organize the right conditions. But many gardeners recommend sowing heat-loving primrose in the bright and warm season. By winter, the plants will get stronger and will please with lush flowering. Often begin to grow primrose from seeds in June.
But if the main goal is to obtain seedlings that will later be planted in open ground, then sowing should begin in December - January. Having started growing at a later date, the plant will not be able to grow stronger, and the flowering period may begin in the fall or the next year altogether.
Florists recommend paying attention to modern varieties. They are characterized by a short period from sowing to flowering. For example, primrose akaulis of the Primlet series can be sown in February, and the flowering period will begin in the same year. Sowing the stemless primrose Pagent in March, at the end of summer you can see how the plant blooms.
From the time of sowing to flowering, primrose usually takes about 6 months.
Growing primrose from seeds in the open field is quite difficult. In early spring or late autumn, seeds are put into the ground. In the spring they must be sprinkled with snow. Please note that non-wintering species must be sown in the ground in May - June.
How to grow primrose at home?
Having decided to grow primrose from seeds for the first time, it is better to first spread the seed on the soil surface. In this case, the soil is placed in a pot, watered and sprayed with boiled chilled water. After the pot is covered with a film and put in the refrigerator. Seeds should be checked every week and aired. As soon as they begin to germinate, they should be placed at the window without removing the film. Be sure to install a lamp on top.
At this stage, shoots should be aired every day. Without a film, the plant should be at least 15 minutes. After a week, this time is increased to 30 minutes. Gradually increasing the time spent in 1-2 weeks you can completely remove the film.
30 days after emergence, the seedlings must be transplanted. In small pots, complex fertilizer should be added. The flower is well watered. After 2 months, the first buds will be visible on the plant.
With the proper cultivation of primrose from seeds and troublesome care, the buds will soon bloom, you can see large bright flowers, enchanting with their aroma.
Experienced flower growers claim that primrose often changes color from light to saturated. Growing this tender plant is quite simple.
Room temperature
The ideal temperature for growing primrose from seeds at home is +12 ... + 20 ° C. In winter and spring, when the plant blooms, the optimum temperature is +8 ... + 12 ° C. Such conditions allow the plant to bloom for a long time .
Once the primrose has faded, it can be transplanted into the open ground. Better to choose a place under the tree. The crown will provide a shade that will reliably protect from hot sunlight and heavy rain.
In autumn, you can again transplant the plant into a pot and transfer it to the house. But many leave primrose for the winter on a personal plot. In a temperate climate, she can calmly winter in the garden, and in the spring she will delight with bright tender first flowers.
Lighting and location
Having decided to start growing primrose from seeds at home, you need to create the necessary lighting. After all, the plant loves moderate heat and light. Remember, direct sunlight will only harm the flower, only diffuse lighting should be used.
Installing flower pots with primrose is better on window sills that overlook the west or east side.
Soil for primrose
You should not only know the characteristics of planting a plant. It is imperative to find out in which soil it is better to grow primrose from seeds at home. The ideal soil for this plant is a mixture of fertile deciduous or soddy soil, sand and peat in equal proportions. It is imperative to make a drainage in a pot.
Do not want to prepare the soil yourself? It is enough to purchase a special store soil intended for flowering houseplants.
Flower dressing
Experienced flower growers recommend feeding primrose 2 times a year. The first time primrose is fed at the end of June with organic fertilizers. For this purpose, bird droppings diluted in water can also be used. The second feeding should be carried out in early August with a 0.1% aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate.
Watering
At home, primrose needs moderate watering. A few days after the top layer has completely dried, it is necessary to water the flower. During flowering, the plant needs additional watering. The soil must be moistened immediately after drying.
For irrigation it is necessary to use only settled water. Keep water out of the leaves. From this they can begin to rot. It is better to water the plant by immersion or through a pallet.
Humidity does not affect the life of primrose, therefore this plant does not need additional spraying to increase air humidity.
Pruning
Once the plant has flowered, it is necessary to cut the peduncle. Thus, the flowering of the following buds of primrose is stimulated. In addition, wilted flowers will not take away plant strength. Yellowing primrose leaves should also be removed.
Transfer
The plant needs an annual transplant immediately after flowering. The soil does not have to be very nutritious. It is better to use the above composition (sand, turfy soil and humus). You can also use a mixture of peat, sand and compost in a ratio of 1: 1: 3.
When growing primrose soft-leaved, use less acidic soil. The ideal option is a mixture of sand, coniferous or sod land and deciduous land in a ratio of 1: 1: 2.
Pests and diseases
Being interested in how to grow primrose from seeds, it is necessary to know about the diseases of this plant. Primrose primitive enough plants, but also suffer from pests. Primrose is more susceptible to this.
A plant can be affected by diseases such as:
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew;
- ramularis.
Gray rot affects the flowers and leaves of the plant. Initially, plaque appears, after the plant begins to rot. The disease develops actively with high humidity and a high nitrogen content in the soil. You can fight the disease by spraying the flower with copper oxychloride. All affected plants should be removed.
A sign of powdery mildew is a white coating and yellow spots on the leaves. The disease develops actively with high humidity. You can save the plant if you spray it with copper oxychloride or a Bordeaux mixture. If most of the plant is affected, it should be removed.
With ramulariosis, a white coating appears on the lower part of the leaves, and yellow spots on the upper part. The plant must be sprayed with copper oxychloride.
Planting primrose seeds does not protect the plant from pests in the future. You can protect yourself from the invasion of caterpillars and ticks by treating the plant with mineral or laundry soap. If the plant is severely affected, it is necessary to use "Fitoferm" or "Acarin". The uterine plants should be checked frequently for pests.
Conclusion
Many are interested in how to grow homemade primrose from seeds. This is not difficult to do, it is only necessary to carefully and patiently follow all the above recommendations from experienced gardeners. Believe me, you will succeed!