1430 



PRIMULA 



PRIMULA 



soil. There are many varieties of this species, but the 

 handsomest is P. denticulata, var. Cachemiriana. The 

 form with white flowers is also pretty. Care should be 

 taken that this species and its varieties are planted in 

 a slightly elevated position where water will not settle 

 around the plants in winter. If grown in a low, damp 

 position, the crowns are liable to rot in winter. In a 

 warm sheltered position in the rock garden P. capitata 

 may be grown, but must be well sheltered from the hot 

 summer sun. P. Japonica is a splendid hardy plant and 

 grows vigorously in a rich, deep, moist soil. When the 

 plants become established they self-sow themselves. It 

 also makes a good plant to force in pots in the spring. 

 The seed of this plant ought to be sown as soon as ripe; 

 if this is not done they never come so evenly, and also 

 require a long time to germinate. The native Primula 

 Mistassinica is a charming dwarf Primrose; to be suc- 

 cessful with it the requirements are a very damp place 

 and not too much shade. P. rosea, & Himalayan species 

 with good qualities, can be grown in a sheltered place, 

 but must be given a covering of dried leaves in the 

 winter. P. Sieboldii is a distinct Japanese plant and 

 is an exceedingly showy Primrose when grown under 

 proper conditions. There are many named varieties 

 of this plant, the best being Lilacina, Magenta Queen, 

 Rosea alba, Rosea striata and Violacea. A light soil 

 well enriched with decayed leaf -mold, a sheltered 

 position with partial shade and a covering of dried 

 leaves in the winter are the requirements necessary 

 for success with this Primrose and its varieties. This 

 plant makes an excellent pot-plant and is easy to force 

 in spring. 



There are a number of species of Primula that are 

 grown in the greenhouse, but the most popular is P. 

 Sinensis. By selection and crossing there are many 

 improved varieties from the pale pink plant that was 

 introduced in 1820. Every shade of color from pure 

 white to deep crimson and even deep blue is obtained in 

 the flowers and also great variety in form and double- 

 ness. Not only has the flower been improved, but there 

 is a great variety to be had in foliage. The double 

 forms are increased by cuttings ; semi-doubles are raised 

 from seed. The named varieties are raised from seed 

 sown annually and they come true to color. There are 

 several strains of seed which receive separate names, 

 but to get a good strain is important, ft requires as 

 much time and labor to raise plants from a poor strain 

 as from a good one. The good strain costs a little more 

 to begin with, but the superior quality of the blossoms 

 and plants pays in the end. The first week in April 

 is a good time to sow the seed in order to get plants 

 to flower early the following! winter, and about the 

 middle of May for a second batch to succeed the first 

 sowing. Sow the seeds in well-drained shallow pans. 

 Use finely sifted leaf-mold, loam and sand in equal 

 parts. Cover the seeds lightly and place the pans 

 when well watered in a temperature of about 60 Fahr. 

 Sometimes the seed does not germinate evenly; the best 



they may be potted off singly into 3-inch 

 pots, using a compost slightly rougher than the one 

 used in the seed-pans. When the small pots are filled 

 with roots the plants may be shifted into larger ones, 

 the final shift being into 6-inch pots, using a com- 



1952. Single and semi-double Chinese Primroses. 

 Natural size. 



thing to do then is to prick off all the young plants into 

 fresh soil similar to the above. Shake a little fresh soil 

 over the seed-pan again and place it in the same tem- 

 perature, and very soon the remainder of the seed will 

 germinate. When the yo\ing plants have three or four 



1953. Primula obconica (X K). 



post of good fibrous loam, rotten cow manure, leaf -mold 

 and sand. When given the final potting care should be 

 taken that the base of the plant rests on the soil, but it 

 should not be buried. If the plant is not potted right 

 it will be loose at the crown. When this is the case the 

 only remedy is to place three small stakes in a triangle 

 round the crown; this helps to keep the plant steady 

 when top-heavy with blossoms and foliage. When the 

 pots are full of roots, weak liquid manure made from 

 fresh cow manure may be given once a week. During 

 the summer they require shade and should be grown in a 

 cool greenhouse or frame, where they ought to have 

 plenty of air at all times. In winter a temperature of 

 45 F. suits them well, and they last much longer in 

 blossom than if kept warmer. This Primrose is seldom 

 troubled with insect pests. Some of the best and most 

 distinct varieties are Russell's Queen of Whites, Alba 

 magnifica, Princess Louise, Cheswick Red Improved, 

 Comet, Rubra superbissima. The best blue out of a 

 number we have tried is Farquhar's Improved Blue. 

 The semi-doubles can be had in good distinct colors, but 

 the old double white is the best double Chinese Prim- 

 rose and should be more grown than it is at present. 



Button's Primula stellata is without doubt one of the 

 finest and most graceful Primroses we have for green- 

 house or conservatory decorations. The form with white 

 flowers is the most pleasing; but the red and pink 

 shades are also attractive. The foliage is like that of 

 P. Sinensis, but the flowers are far more graceful and 

 produced in whorls on long, erect stems. This plant will 

 blossom from November to May. It requires the same 

 treatment as the Chinese Primrose, only the seeds can 

 be sown a little earlier. 



Primula floribunda is a charming winter-flowering 

 greenhouse plant from western Himalayas. Its yellow 

 flowers are produced on stems from four to six inches 

 long. There is an improved form which has larger 

 blossoms than the type. This plant is easily raised 



