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Primula denticulata from seed

debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
Hi all, I absolutely love drumstick primroses and invested in a pack of seeds to try to grow my own plants for next spring. Any tips to guarantee success? Not much information on the packet. Hope someone can help. Ronsdorf hybrids if that helps? Thanks

Posts

  • You can sow them now - I would sprinkle them on the surface of a tray of pre-dampened seed compost and cover with a thin layer of fine grit then put in a cold frame or cold greenhouse.  They may not germinate until after a cold period so leave them there over winter.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I sowed some white seeds, but the instructions were quite contradictary. They said sow on top and cover with grit, as Bob says, and in the next paragraph, they said don't cover as they needed light.  I did some of each but I'm not convinced any of them will grow. There's a few little bits of green here and there, but that's about it.
    Hope you have better luck than me, debs!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I sow all small seeds on top of grit with gritty compost underneath. Then I water them in and that seems to settle them amongst the grit with enough light for those that need it.


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Good idea nut, follows nature more closely.  :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Was thinking of popping them in a heated propagator to start than off but if they need cold? Will do as you say, fairy girl apparently germination is erratic so maybe you have more to come! Fingers crossed. 
  • these plants like it damp, a good cow pat would be ideal
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I agree with Bob re the heat, they need cold rather than heat. 
    Heat is the reason many hardy plants don't germinate. 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Ive jUst sown the candelabra type primula, in the conservatory, nothing sprinkled on top. All germinated. But they were seeds from my garden plants.
    all primula and primrose seeds do better sown fresh. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Thanks Lyn if any of mine grow hopefully I can do that next year. 
  • Mine do a good job of seeding themselves, I just move the young plants to where I want them :)
    Lyn is right, a seed tray somewhere cool and bright, they need light to germinate.
    Monty sowed his onto damp compost already covered with a thin layer of grit, which is a good idea, as the grit will give a liitle bit of protection from slugs and snails while they are really tiny. Keep it damp - a mist sprayer is good for tiny seedlings.

    The seed is really tiny too - if you mix it with a little dry sand it helps to space them out more evenly.

    Good luck!
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