Culture 
RIMROSES, like other perennials, thrive when 
put in approximately the right situation, in a 
soil that is well drained and rich in humus 
and organic plant food. They need less sun 
and more water than most perennials. Neutral 
or slightly acid soil is always preferable to 
alkaline. 
Plant Foods—Plant your Primroses with the 
previously described situations in mind in deeply 
dug. well drained garden soil which has had 
leaf mold, well rotted manure, compost or like 
i material worked into the upper 3 or 4 inches 
of soil for oe decomposition and availability to plants. Old horse 
manure is one of the best and lightens a too heavy soil. Cow manure 
binds a thin soil. 
Planting—Polyanthus, Acaulis, Doubles and Auriculas should be 
planted about a foot apart; Julianas may have less space; large 
Asiatics about 18 inches. . 
Plants shipped long distances usually arrive with leaves crisp and 
flowers fresh. Before planting, shake out the roots and, if the weather 
is hot or windy, remove all large older leaves leaving only the smaller 
young ones. Plant fairly deep so that the crown of the plant rests 
firmly in the top soil, allowing no soil to lodge in the crown. Pack 
the soil firmly around the roots; water in, keep watered and shaded 
until plants begin to grow—from 1 to 2 weeks. If plants are delayed 
en route and have wilted, remove all large leaves and blossoms and 
place roots in pan of water in the shade out of the wind until crisp- 
ness returns. 
Primroses transplant successfully any time during the growing 
season, from early spring to fall. The latest date transplanting can 
be done with safety is about a month before frost. 
Watering—Water deeply by soaking the ground thoroughly. Keep 
soil cool and moist all spring and summer and water in the cool 
of evening. Light cultivation helps hold moisture at roots. 
Mulching—Not absolutely necessary, but advantageous. Keeps 
soil cool, repels weeds, induces self-Ssown-seedlings and protects from 
heavy rains. Put on after planting or dividing or in the fall. 
Dividing—About every two years, or whenever the plant grows 
into a crowded clump and flowers diminish, Polyanthus, single and 
double Acaulis should be lifted and washed free of soil, the crowns. 
separated, roots cut back with a sharp knife to about 4 inches, large 
leaves removed, and the divisions re-set in freshly dug and enriched. 
soil. Dividing immediately after flowering or after seeding when 
new growth begins gives the finest flowers the following spring. 
Division in early fall is second best. Auriculas grow more slowly 
and need less dividing. Juliaes may or may not be divided according 
to type. Primulas Sieboldi and kisoana need not be divided unless 
desired. Keep all divisions well watered and choose a cloudy day 
when dividing, if possible. 
Other Asiastic Primulas, particularly Candelabras, should be di- 
vided every other year at least, with yearly division recommended. 
Divide after flowering, immediately after seeding or wait until early 
fall. Many Asiatics (all Candelabras) lose their, old root systems 
after seeding and are sustained during the summer by very short, 
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