No. of Seeds: 35
Germination Temp: 15+C, germinate cool - if too warm germination is inhibited.
Ideal Plant Spacing: For this variety ideal plant spacing is 20cm apart, or 6 in a 35cm container.
Sow Seeds from:
Primrose Seeds have a pretty narrow time frame for sowing. Basically sow from June for plants to plant out in the autumn, to the first half of July for .
How To Successfully Grow Primrose From Seed
Of all the primulas, primroses (primula vulgaris) are the most elegant and graceful. They differ from their cousins, the polyanthus, in that they produce a single flower on a single stem, whereas polyanthus will have several flowers on a much thicker stem. However, like the polyanthus, primroses are perennial and available in a vast array of dazzling colours. They look great in beds, pots, window boxes and containers of all shapes and sizes. They prefer a partial shade position and well-drained soil. They will benefit from soil that has been pre-prepared with the addition of organic matter.
Growing Primroses from seed
For best results, primrose seeds can be sown in trays or pots under cover from March to May. A cool temperature will aid germination, so a cold greenhouse, cold frame or kitchen windowsill is perfect. Fill trays or pots with seed compost and apply water to ensure the surface is wet. Sow the seeds thinly over the surface but do not cover. Germination can be very erratic taking anywhere between 14 and 40 days. When the seedlings have 4 true leaves and are large enough to handle, pot them on into 7.5cm pots of potting compost and move them to a sheltered area outside. Protect from frost and keep the plants watered during dry spells. Plant out into their permanent positions during September and October, where they will flower the following February to May.
Alternatively, you can sow the seeds in June or July in pots or trays outdoors. Choose a shady position and cover the trays with glass or clear polythene. Do not allow the trays to dry out. Transplant to 7.5cm pots or modular trays filled with potting compost when large enough to handle. Plant out to permanent positions in late September or during October if weather permits. Note that primrose seeds may need to be exposed to a period of cold in order to break the dormancy. The ideal germination temperature is between 10°C and 15°C.
Aftercare
Keep the plants watered during dry spells. Remove any dead flowers or yellowing leaves as they appear. After the plants have finished flowering they can be replanted elsewhere and allowed to naturalise.
Pests and diseases
Slugs can be a problem for all primulas, especially when the plants are young. Use beer traps or spread crushed egg shells or coarse sand around the plants to discourage slugs. Vine weevils will also attack primroses, for which a biological control method such as nematodes can prove very effective. Continuous damp or very close planting can cause botrytis, which can be treated with a fungicide.
