Primrose, rearing and care

Primula belongs to the family of primrose. It is a perennial rhizome and has long enjoyed love in many countries. In ancient Greece it was used as a medicinal plant, calling it a flower against all diseases. Many beautiful legends are associated with it. In Switzerland, Aurikula, a primrose grown in the 19th century in European countries in great fashion, grows high in the mountains in a natural way. It is for the Swiss - a symbol of love for the motherland.

The flowers of the primroses were so popular that on the breeding of new varieties and their cultivation in Europe, whole states were made. Even primulas are now one of the favorite spring flowers.

In the world there are about 600 species of these plants. In our country - not more than 67 of them. Often the question arises: how to grow primula in a cold climate in Russia? In severe frost its rhizomes can freeze, which leads to the death of flowers. Considering this, it is necessary to breed the most cold-resistant species of this plant. These include the primroses of the Aurikul, the High, the Whiteless, the Zubchatolistnaya, the Cortuzoid, the Spring, and the Japanese. They differ frost resistance. However, for winter in the regions of Siberia and the Urals they must be covered with dry leaves.

Primrose, or primrose, the cultivation of which so occupied once the gardeners, can multiply by dividing the bush, seeds or cuttings.

Divide the primrose bush every two or three years, if the plant does not grow too much. If the primula has grown greatly, it can be divided even after a year. This is even necessary to do, because otherwise the plants can freeze out because the bulk of their roots, growing out, will be too close to the surface of the soil. It is best to share the primrose bush in the spring or early autumn. The spring division is produced 2 weeks after the flower has faded. To divide the plant it is necessary so that on each delenka there were one or two rosettes and developed roots.

The soil for planting primrose should be light, with the addition of peat. It is necessary to take into account the properties that the primrose possesses. Cultivation will be more successful if you take into account the characteristics of the species. For example, primaries-auriculas do not like surplus moisture and acid soil. Therefore, when planting a place for them, you need to choose dry and in the ground, if it is acidic, you must add lime. They are well suited for rocky hills. Some primroses, for example, florinda, on the contrary, love water. For these species it is preferable to place in damp places.

How to grow primrose from seeds? It's pretty hard. Seeds in primulas are characterized by slow germination and, in addition, they lose their germination very quickly. Therefore, it is better to sow them immediately after harvest (they keep up to August-September), in the fall. In spring sowing, for better germination of seeds, they must be stratified, that is, wetting, for a time to stand at a lower temperature. Sow primrose must be in containers, in a mixture of sand with hardwood in a ratio of 1: 2. The soil is moistened, seeds are sown and they are lightly sprinkled with them (with a deep sowing the seeds germinate badly). The boxes are covered with a film.

When the shoots appear, the film is removed. Keep seedlings better in a cool place, water only with a pallet. When a couple of leaves appear, primrose dive. The grown flowers are planted on the beds. Before the onset of cold weather, young primroses must be covered. They will only be in the second or third year.

In addition to these methods, there is one more that the primrose reproduces. Cultivation from cuttings works well with primroses of Aurikul. Cuttings should be cut in May or June and planted on a shaded bed or in a greenhouse. Cuttings take root 2-3 weeks later. Next spring they are planted in a permanent place.

When caring for primroses, we must remember that in the spring they love watering, but the water should not stagnate on the site. Therefore, they must be grown on well drained soil. Meltwater from them, too, must be diverted. In spring, around the plantings of primulas, a complex mineral fertilizer should be sprinkled at a rate of 20 g / m. Then the fertilizing is carried out at the end of July - at this time the plants are planted with buds for flowering. You can use mullein or potassium sulfate. At the end of August, supplementation with potassium and superphosphate is carried out so that the plants acquire sufficient winter hardiness.

Successes to you in cultivation of primroses!