Perennial garden primrose: planting and care in the open field, growing from seeds

Primrose is one of the symbols of spring. This is the name of the primrose, which appears on the slopes of the mountains with the first rays of the spring sun. Delicate beautiful perennial garden primroses are grown in home gardens, planting flowers and caring for them are not so difficult. Flowerbeds decorated with primroses leave no one indifferent.

Features of primrose

Primrose has been known for centuries. Flowers were called the "first", considered a talisman that brings good luck, used to prepare medicines. The beauty and tenderness of a small flower made it popular and in demand.Different color shades of the petals give a special charm, make the plant even more attractive for planting in areas where you need to add bright colors.

The flower belongs to perennial plants, it has specific features:

• roots: strong, short with many branches;
• leaves: dark green, narrow, with teeth along the edges, depending on the species can grow from 5 to 25 centimeters;
• flowers: collected in complex inflorescences, the funnel-shaped part of the flower can grow up to 5 centimeters.

After flowering, the seeds are collected in a box. On the territory of Russia, primroses bloom from April to July. Primrose is ubiquitous and grows in moist nutrient soils. Some species are listed in the Red Book.

Main species

Among the variety of botanical species, there are about 200 specimens that are grown in garden plots in a temperate climate.

Classification based on differences in inflorescences:

1. Candelabra or tiered. Inflorescences are formed from several layers that are located one above the other. Representatives of this type grow in mountainous areas, propagate by seed, and they can also be planted by dividing the mother bush into 2 parts. The most popular representatives: Japanese primrose, Bulley flower, Bissa.
2. Umbrella. Flowers with inflorescences in the form of an umbrella grow in Europe. The peculiarity of the variety lies in the formation of small flowers. Primrose high, polyanthus, ear and spring.
3. Pillow-shaped. This type includes small bushes of primroses with single flowers. They are especially popular with collectors due to the fact that they do not look like other types. Primrose ordinary, small, Julia.
4. Bell-shaped. Another type that is found in areas of mountains and foothills. The peculiarity lies in the presence of a high stem, which is crowned with an inflorescence - a bell. Primula Florinda and Sikkim.
5. Spherical. Decorative varieties with an elongated stem and a dense, pubescent head with small flowers. Species of these primroses can grow in the mountains, as well as be used in the landscape of landscape gardening.

Crop specifics

Open sunny areas of the garden, as well as shaded areas, are suitable for growing primroses. The rules for care determine the feature of the structure, which depends on the variety. The most common varieties among flower growers are grown according to a specific pattern.

Sowing seeds

Primrose can be propagated by seeds. After flowering, small black grains densely fill the seed box. The peculiarity of planting material is that it quickly loses its ability to germinate, it must be sown as soon as possible.

The seed is buried in the ground immediately after harvest. If quick sowing is not possible, then the planting material is stored at +14-16 degrees.

For sowing, varietal seeds are subject to additional preparation:

• freezing at -2 to +4 degrees;
• calibration;
• decontamination to protect against fungal diseases.

Information! When buying hybrid seeds, processing is not carried out.

Seedlings

After sowing, you need to be patient: primrose seeds germinate very slowly. In order to provide optimal conditions for germination and seedling growth, it is necessary to prepare:

• equipment to create a greenhouse effect;
• a room with a temperature not lower than +20 degrees;
• lighting for 10-12 hours;
• nutrient soil with drainage system.

When is the best time to plant

Given the characteristics of the seed material, primroses are sown after harvest. The final stage of seed collection is August. When sowing store material for seedlings, the best option is February.

Preparing a permanent site

Primulus is transplanted to a permanent place of growth in autumn or spring. It depends on the age of the seedlings, preference is given to seedlings of 2 years of existence.

First prepare the ground:

1. Dig up the site.
2. Crushed moss is brought in.
3. Add humus and sand.
4. Dig up again.

Before planting a primrose, choose areas covered with trees or shrubs from direct sunlight. Only mountain alpine varieties can be planted under the open sun.

Primrose transplantation in open ground

Basic rule when planting in open ground: respect the distance between the bushes.

15 to 20 centimetersBetween large sprawling species 25-30 centimeters

Between compact small varieties

Warning! Primula, planted by seed, blooms in the 2nd or 3rd year of existence.

Primrose Care Tips

After planting, there comes a period when the plant adapts to new conditions. The task of the florist: to facilitate the adaptation period and build a care scheme.

Crop Watering

Weekly watering is accompanied by a slight loosening of the soil. With the onset of hot, dry weather, the amount of watering is increased. Approximately 3 liters of warm water are required per 1 square meter.

Feeding plants

During the growing season, primroses are fed weekly. The first feeding is carried out with the appearance of 2-3 leaves, finishing at the last stages of flowering.

For dressings use in turn:

• potash;
• phosphorus mixtures.

Cutting rules

Pruning is carried out in the spring, after the snow melts. Remove dried and dead stems. In autumn, dried inflorescences are cut off on a bush.

How to prepare a plant for winter

Variety flowers, which are of particular value to owners, are usually dug up and left for the winter at home.

Regular varieties must be covered for the winter. The first step in preparing for winter involves adding organic fertilizer to the roots, which may be exposed after flowering.

When frost approaches, in October-November, the soil around the bush is mulched. To do this, choose sawdust, peat, coniferous needles or sawdust. Then the top of the plant is covered with spruce branches. The snow cover becomes the second top layer of cover.

Protection from diseases and pests

Garden primrose is prone to fungal diseases. They can develop due to the peculiarities of climatic conditions. Excessive moisture leads to damage to the root system. Primroses can be infected with powdery mildew, gray mold or anthracnose.

Among insect pests, aphids, slugs, mites and fleas are the most common. To protect the plant, they are treated with chemicals: Nitrofen, Bordeaux liquid, tobacco or soap solutions.

Problems faced by gardeners when growing primrose

When caring for primroses, some nuances are taken into account.

1. Drying and wilting of the leaves indicates insufficient watering. The reason may also be the wrong choice of landing site. Direct sunlight often causes burns on leaf plates.
2. Withering, dying off of parts of the plant, dropping ovaries indicates the beginning of the process of decay of the root system. The reason is the constant waterlogging of the soil, moisture retention.
3. Shallowing flowers, weak flowering indicates a lack of nutrients in the soil. During flowering, garden primroses need additional feeding with potassium-phosphorus complexes.
4. The appearance of spots on the leaves, drying of the tips indicates the development of infection or the appearance of insect parasites.

When problems arise, a thorough inspection of the bushes is carried out and a decision is made, depending on the cause of the problem. The following steps usually help:

• increase or decrease the amount of watering;
• shading the area where the primrose is planted;
• transplantation by dividing the bush (this method is used for adult overgrown specimens);
• processing by special means;
• feeding in small portions according to the established pattern.

Reproduction methods

Many flower growers believe that the seed method of reproduction for primroses is far from being the easiest and most effective. In the presence of an adult bush with a developed root system, flower breeding can be achieved in one of the following ways:

• cuttings;
• dividing the bush.

Primrose can be propagated by cuttings at any time of the year. On an adult bush of the selected variety, a leaf is cut at an acute angle.Then it is rooted in water with the addition of a biostimulant and transplanted onto the prepared soil. Seedlings are grown during the winter period in compliance with the necessary conditions. The shoots are transplanted in the spring to suitable flower beds.

Dividing a bush is one of the ways that allows you to fully preserve varietal characteristics. An adult bush is dug up, the roots are cleaned from the ground and divided into parts with a sharp knife.

The cuts must be treated with a disinfectant. To do this, use crushed activated carbon.

Each part should have its own growth point. Then the plants are planted in accordance with the recommended planting pattern. The hole is mulched and cared for like adult bushes.

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