ECOgardener

Primroses - cultivation and care, use in garden design

Planting primrose and caring for it in the open ground is quite easy even for novice summer residents. And it's very popular garden flower which has many varieties. There are a huge number of varieties and hybrids that amaze with their beauty and do not require painstaking care. But in order to fully enjoy all the delights of a flower, some of the subtleties of planting and care should be studied. Let's talk about the most important things.

Garden primroses: planting and care in open ground

Almost all primroses love partial shade and coolness, with the exception of some southern species and varieties. In such conditions, flowers open from all their best sides– size of leaves, buds, rich and bright color of flowers. Moreover, the plant can develop well even on poor soils, but not waterlogged ones.

Some primroses begin to actively grow from the second year after planting. It is advisable to plant them, otherwise the roots of young bushes will end up on the surface of the ground and the young plants will die. If it is not possible to divide the primroses before the onset of cold weather, they can be covered with earth or mulched with humus until spring.

How to plant primroses

Before planting, you should enrich the soil, add rotted manure and a little wood ash. You can improve the structure of the soil by adding a large number of sand or vermiculite. Tall primrose bushes are planted at a distance of 40–50 cm from each other, and low-growing ones at 10–20 cm. This is a standard, recommended scheme, but if desired, you can plant the flower a little thicker.

Important! Primroses are planted in cloudy weather or in the evening. There is no need to overwater the bushes; moderate watering is sufficient.

When planting, it is extremely important not to deepen the growing point, otherwise the plant will get sick and die.

In general, the flower is endowed with strong immunity to various diseases and pests. However, there are still some risks:

• extremely rarely, primrose can be affected by diseases such as jaundice, rust, powdery mildew, bacterial spot, cucumber mosaic virus, as well as stem and root collar rot and anthracnose;
• When thickening plantings, fleas, aphids, weevils, spider mites, slugs and nematodes may become interested in primroses.

From time to time you need to inspect the bushes. When the first symptoms of diseases or pests are detected, treatment is started immediately. Particular attention should be paid to purchased primroses in pots, which are driven out for the holidays. Here is a useful video about preventing the appearance of root rot from the charming Natalia, who leads the Garden World project:

While purchased primroses are waiting to be planted in the garden, remove yellowing leaves in a timely manner, water the plants not from above, but into a tray, and drain excess water. When loosening the soil, do not fill the growing point (when planting in the ground, also watch for the deepening of the growing point).

It is also useful to “salt” the soil surface with ash and carry out every 3rd watering using a solution of Fitosporin-M (it is the cheapest of natural preparations). There is also Anti-Rot powder from the same Bashkir company, created for processing vegetables in storage. Well, the most powerful biofungicide from this line is Reanimator-M, intended for the treatment of already affected plants. All of these preparations are based on living spores and cells of beneficial soil microbes Bacillus subtilus.

It is also useful to put 2 tablets of Glyocladin into the root, or water it weekly with a solution of Trichoderma verde - these are useful soil fungi that enhance the immunity of plants.

Remember that if a weakened plant is planted in the garden, pests will attack it and completely eat it. We have repeatedly seen how slugs eat purchased primroses, although already adapted specimens grow quietly nearby. So, we don’t just need to keep the primrose in pots until spring, but strengthen its immunity. IN Lately We save all purchased seedlings this way; we even try to immediately replant indoor roses and disinfect the soil.

How to care for primroses

Growing a plant is a pleasure - all that primrose needs is removing weeds, loosening the soil, watering and light fertilizing. This is, of course, if a mulch layer is not used. In mulch, a soil crust does not form and loosening is not necessary.

To extend the flowering period of the bushes, all faded inflorescences should be removed.

During hot periods, watering is carried out frequently. The first feeding is carried out when the inflorescences begin to grow; if this is done earlier, all the nutrition will go into the leaves. The second time the primrose is fertilized after flowering. Organic or organomineral complexes are suitable. Once every 4 or 5 years, mandatory planting (division) of bushes is carried out.

Important! Only young bushes and heat-loving species and varieties of primroses need shelter for the winter. Old foliage, like that of garden strawberries, is cut from the bushes only in the spring.

How to propagate garden primrose

There are 2 methods - vegetative and generative. Dividing the bush is carried out before or after flowering, in spring or autumn. Some primroses can begin to be divided from the age of 3, while others only from the age of five. To avoid confusion, it is better to consult with flower growers.

Details about the methods of propagation of primroses:

• division - the plant is carefully dug up and the roots are washed with water without damaging them. Now the bush needs to be cut so that each section contains a restoration bud, developed roots and a rosette of leaves. The cut sites are treated immediately wood ash, and immediately plant the primroses in a new place. For 2 weeks after planting, seedlings are watered daily. If division is carried out in the fall, the plantings are covered with foliage or spruce branches for the winter;
• cuttings - the largest, most developed primrose bushes are selected for the procedure. In spring or summer after flowering, the plant is dug up and some of the thickest roots are cut off. To make buds form faster, longitudinal cuts are carefully made on the upper side of the cuttings. Now the root sections are placed in holes no deeper than 4 cm and sprinkled with earth. Caring for seedlings in the usual way;
• rooting - this method is suitable if the primroses have not yet reached the age suitable for division. The procedure is carried out in autumn or summer. From the very base of the root, the leaf petiole is separated along with the bud (the leaf blade is cut by a third) and placed in a mixture of sand and garden soil. The pot with the seedling is placed on a bright windowsill. It is important that the sheet is not exposed to direct sunlight. The soil is periodically moistened, and the room temperature is maintained at 16–18 °C. The bush will be ready for transplanting as soon as the young shoots hatch;
• seeds - many, but not all varieties and hybrids can be propagated in this way. For example, it will not be possible to grow a beautiful specimen from collected terry primrose seeds. The grains are practically not stored; they need to be sown within 1 or 2 years, and freshly harvested seed has the best germination rate. Sowing is most often done in the fall, then the plants will bloom the next year.

Important! Primrose can be grown in seedlings, but it is worth remembering that seeds of almost all types require stratification. Exceptions are common and fine-toothed primroses. Seedlings develop slowly.

Forcing primroses

Most types of garden primrose, especially low-growing ones, are suitable for spring flower forcing. Plants must be two years old. Bushes of older primroses need to be divided before the procedure.

In late autumn, the plants are dug up, transferred together with a lump of earth into a common box and placed in a room with a temperature of at least 1–3 °C. In early February, old leaves and stems are cut off from primroses, and the bushes are planted in small pots (10–12 cm in diameter). Any land can be used. There is no need to deepen the plants; the rosette of leaves is placed at the level of the soil surface.

Now the primroses need to be moved to a bright windowsill, the temperature is increased to 10 °C. Water the plants as needed, sparingly. Feed the bushes when the buds form. You can use complex fertilizer (1% aqueous solution). After flowering, primroses are planted back into the garden.

Primrose in landscape design, combination with other flowers

In any garden there are areas covered with shadow from fences, walls or tree crowns - ideal conditions for primroses Flowers can be combined with other plants, and flower beds where different varieties, species and hybrids of primroses bloom continuously one after another.

What can be decorated with bright and unpretentious primroses? Yes, anything - borders, ponds, rockeries, as well as rocky hills, flower beds of all types, lawns, etc.

The flower grows well in containers and hanging flowerpots, which means it can be used to decorate a porch, gazebo, balcony or stairs. The main thing is to create a flower suitable conditions.

Primroses enjoy the reputation of being good companions; they are simply not capable of crushing their neighbors. They will direct their growth to where it is free place without displacing anyone. Flowers and herbs with similar preferences are planted next to primroses - diffuse shade and constant, moderate soil moisture. The most successful neighbors include ferns, astilbes, miniature conifers and hosts.

The love for primroses is long lasting; after planting just one flower, you will definitely want more. It becomes difficult to stop later, especially since there are so many of them and they are all so different! The versatility and special unpretentiousness of the plant only increases the interest of gardeners. So we safely recommend planting primroses in your area; planting and caring for them in the open ground will not burden you much.

This flower can be grown both in the room and on the plot. The garden perennial is valued for the fact that, with all the variety of colors, it is undemanding to external conditions, and therefore does not need special care. But still, there are some nuances in the content of primrose, since on its own, without supervision, it will not be able to develop normally.

Most varieties of primrose bloom quite early, almost immediately after the snow cover melts. She doesn't like strongly lit areas, so for her the best place– partial shade. Since the leaves of fruit and berry and ornamental plants bloom and form around mid-spring, primrose in open ground can be planted next to their trunk circle. The crown will become a natural shelter for it, but provided that it is not too thick. Full shade negatively affects photosynthesis, and the perennial will be delayed in development. And the flowering will not be so abundant and bright.

The second condition is effective ventilation. Therefore, growing primrose in the corners of a summer cottage and in other secluded places where there is stagnation of air is not recommended.

The soil

It can be briefly described as follows: fertile, light, moist. Therefore, when planting primrose in open ground needs to be cooked. The list of works is determined based on the characteristics of the soil on the territory, but it is advisable to carry out a number of activities, even if the site is completely black soil.

• Removing weeds (if they hatch).
• Fertilizer application. This means that the fertilizer should be scattered on top of the ground. In the spring, any plant requires the entire spectrum of microelements, therefore it is necessary to intelligently combine (taking into account that this segment was previously grown) organic matter and nitrogen-containing compounds. The recommendation for the dosage of compost (manure, complex preparations) of 10 kg/m² is just a general one. Knowing the characteristics of your site, it is easy to understand what and in what quantity you need to fertilize the soil before planting primrose in open ground.
• Digging. The root system of this plant develops to a depth of 30 cm. Therefore, it is advisable to shovel the soil by at least one and a half bayonets. This will ensure uniform distribution of fertilizing in the soil and identification of weed spores that still remain in it.
• Loosening. It is advisable to do this right away, otherwise it will be difficult to plunder the hardened clods of earth later.

Planting primrose

The issue of decorating a site is a personal matter for the owner. The scheme for planting flowers in open ground is determined independently. You just need to take into account that the recommended interval between primroses is at least 25 cm; for large specimens it increases to 40 - 45. Otherwise, as they grow, they will begin to interfere with each other.

Seeds

Gardeners generally prefer to plant primrose in this way. The nuance is that it differs in technology, since this can be done 3 times per season.

Spring planting. The specificity is that the seeds of this flower quickly lose their ability to germinate. That’s why you shouldn’t use your own material; only store-bought, from famous manufacturer. Moreover, before placing them in open ground, about a month before, they are laid out on the surface of the soil mixture loaded into containers. There is no need to make holes; The seeds are arranged at a density of 1 per cm² and pressed slightly.

Advice - not all varieties of primrose need traditional preparation (stratification). That is, a sharp change temperature regime, light level - many measures to adapt the plant to external conditions are not carried out. This point needs to be clarified, focusing on the selected primrose variety. But its seedlings develop slowly, and therefore you will have to wait at least a year, if not more, before moving them into open ground.

Summer landing. The technique is more convenient, since primrose fades early, and its seeds can immediately be used, for example, in another segment of the territory.

Advice. But in this case, a problem arises with watering - in mid-summer the days are already hot, and irrigation will have to be done much more often.

Autumn planting. This technology is most popular among summer residents. With this method of planting, primrose will delight you with beautiful flowers at the very beginning of the next season. You just need to cover it in front winter period soil with seeds so that they do not freeze.

Advice - when the snow melts, the plant will be provided with a sufficient amount of moisture, and the rays of the sun are not yet so hot as to create discomfort for it. That is why experienced summer residents autumn planting primroses are made in any place convenient for them, and in the spring they simply move the flowers to another area, depending on the ideas for it decorative design in this season.

Cuttings

The strongest bush is chosen as the “parent”. Excess shoots are separated from it, as well as some of the already formed roots. Several cuts are made at the top of the cutting to speed up the appearance of buds.

The prepared samples are planted in open ground with a depth of about 3.5 cm. Next is the usual care for the growing primrose.

Dividing the bush

Adult specimens over 3 years of age are suitable for this. They are removed from the soil after flowering has ended.

• The roots are thoroughly washed so that they are completely cleared of soil.
• The division is carried out with the expectation that each fragment will have a bud, a rosette of leaves and a sufficient number of root “tendrils”.
• If planting is not done immediately, then the cut is sprinkled with wood ash to prevent the small primrose from drying out. Winter storage planting material organized by traditional scheme– dark place, humidified sandy soil and good ventilation.

Rooting

This method is used if there are no other options for choosing good planting material. From the primrose bush, at its base, a leaf with a bud is separated. It is cut to a small fragment, which is placed in moist soil in the same way as a cutting, but not on the territory, but in a container (pot).

The container is placed in a dark place where favorable conditions can be created for rooting of primrose: temperature at +16; humidity about 75%. Some time after the sprouts peck, the primrose is picked and then moved to open ground.

Care

For primrose, it comes down to regular watering, loosening the soil and weed control in the place where it is planted.

Advice - to initiate the blooming of new buds, old ones must be removed immediately. The meaning is clear - the fewer “eaters” it feeds root system plants, the more nutrients each of them gets it. Although it is advisable to leave a couple of flower stalks until they are completely ripe; they will produce seeds that can be used for planting in another area of ​​the territory.

Fertilizer application

Their dosage and intensity of soil fertilization largely depend on its characteristics and the volume of preparatory activities.

• In the process of bud formation. During this period, it is advisable to feed the primrose with organic matter. For example, a weakly concentrated solution of complex fertilizer. It is not advisable to do this before; The plant will have enough of the preparations that have already been added to the soil. Otherwise, all the beneficial substances will “go” into the greens, and the flowers will turn out small and faded. And too large leaves will shade the neighbors, and this will not have the best effect on the entire lawn.
• At the end of flowering. The task is to strengthen the primrose and create conditions for the formation of new buds. For this purpose, nitrogen-containing preparations are used, but in low concentrations.
• In the pre-winter period. In autumn, it is necessary to increase the immunity of the plant (or its seeds), to help it survive extreme conditions. Therefore, the soil is fed with mineral fertilizers; Nitrogen-containing preparations are not introduced into the soil.

Pest Control

Primrose does not have so many of them. One of the advantages of this flower is that it is enough to regularly treat it with a weak solution of nitrafen (1%) so that the plant is not attacked by biological pests and infections.

You should know that primrose is very convenient as a garden plant. ornamental plant and for one more reason. It is absolutely inert in relation to its neighbors, and therefore the flower can be planted anywhere on the territory if it is suitable for growing it. Minimal care, a combination of several varieties in one area - and primrose will decorate it throughout the entire summer season.

Primrose- one of the most popular and favorite plants among our flower growers. In nature, these flowers can be found almost throughout the Eurasian continent in temperate latitudes, in humid areas of the highlands.

But, like all plants, primrose has the ability to adapt to other growing conditions, which is why it has been successfully cultivated by gardeners around the world, including Russia, for centuries.

Description of primrose

Primrose primrose- one of the most diverse and widespread early flowering plants. There are up to 550 species in total. Most often it is a perennial, herbaceous or semi-shrub crop, but both annual and biennial primroses are also found.

The underground part of the primrose is a rhizome with roots. The leaves are always collected in a small basal rosette, but they can take on a variety of shapes - lanceolate, oblong-oval, oval.

Considering species diversity primrose leaves may have uneven surface, or a dense, leathery texture. The leaves can live either only one season, dying off after the first frost, or overwinter under snow cover and come to life for the new season.

Primrose flowers have a tubular structure with bipartite or solid petals.

Primrose color have the most variety, there are single-colored, two-colored and tricolored plants. Terry primroses have been bred by breeders. Often the flowers have an eye. A peduncle without leaves produces one or more flowers collected in spherical, umbrella-shaped or pyramidal inflorescences.

Primrose gives fruits in the form of seed boxes. The seeds in the boxes are small, dark brown, cylindrical or spherical in shape. Flowering period is spring. There are species that bloom in summer.

Useful properties of primrose

Even the ancient Greeks valued medicinal properties primrose (primrose), and this is not surprising. The root system of this plant is included in the composition of diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant drugs that help to start the processes of secretion of sputum from the respiratory tract.

Decoctions of primrose roots are used in folk medicine for insomnia, decoctions of the leaves are used for vitamin deficiency, neurosis, headaches, tinctures for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, skin rashes.

The agricultural technology for growing this crop is not that complicated. In this article we want to tell you about how to grow primrose in open ground and in the garden. We will not dwell on the description of this family of early flowering ones; you can read about the varieties and types of primroses in.

Growing primrose in open ground

What is the best place to plant primroses?

First of all, you should decide place for planting primroses. Regardless of the variety and place of their natural growth, in our natural conditions professional flower growers recommend shaded areas of the garden for primroses deciduous trees(or pears) or shrubs, flower beds and hillocks that are not exposed to the afternoon rays of the sun, wet coastal areas of reservoirs.

Moisture and soil requirements for planting primroses

Hydration

The soil for primroses should be loose and moisture-absorbing. In other words, primroses should receive a large amount of moisture, but the liquid should not stagnate and over-moisten the soil.

IN spring period, in April-May, hydration should be the most intense, because in nature, when the snow melts in the mountains, primroses literally drown in water. Often in our conditions there is little rain at this time, so take care that the primroses do not dry out, otherwise the plants will weaken and lose their decorative qualities.

Helpful advice: Varieties such as Siebold's primrose are best grown by immersing their root system 1-2 cm in water.

The soil

Regardless of where the ancestors of your primrose grew before, in mountain crevices with poor soils, or along mountain rivers, or among alpine meadows with rich fertile soils, in garden culture primroses should be provided with loose, well-manured soils - light and clayey. Such soil retains nutrients, is well saturated with moisture and drains fairly quickly.

If your area is heavy clay soil, this drawback is easily eliminated by adding 1 sq.m. landing area:

• buckets of sand,
• crushed sphagnum moss,
• vermiculite,
• 2 kg or rotted silage.

The easiest way to do this is to remove 20 cm of the top layer of soil on the site and replace it with a suitable nutrient mixture. A year later, in the fall, it will be sufficient to add only mineral potassium-phosphorus fertilizers to such soil.

The disadvantage of light soils is their low nutrient content. Such soils are enriched with:

• 5 kg of old humus,
• 10 kg of leaf (compost) soil,
• 5 kg of old peat,
• 20 g of phosphorus-potassium and 15 g of nitrogen fertilizers

per 1 sq.m of landing area.

Primrose care

These plants do not need special care. The main thing is to ensure required amount moisture and sufficient air flow to the primrose root system. To support required level nutrient medium, do not forget to regularly get rid of weeds.

Feeding primroses

During the growing season primroses should be fed three times per season potassium-phosphorus fertilizer and regularly organic fertilizer.

• First deposit mineral fertilizers do in early spring.
• The second time - after 14-21 days.
• The third time was in July.

All this time, do not forget to add slurry to the primrose bushes (mullein, horse or sheep manure), and in the fall you should enrich the place where you grow primroses with a 3 cm layer of nutrient substrate to a depth of 15-20 cm.

To preserve moisture, ensure aeration of the root system and prevent abundant germination of weeds, primrose plantings are mulched with a 5cm layer of gravel. In addition, it will serve as an excellent decorative addition to primrose plantings.

Helpful advice: To extend the flowering period of primroses, regularly pick off dried flowers.

Like all plants, primroses tend to grow. After 3-4 years, they can grow so large that they will be forced to crowd each other and bloom poorly. Therefore, in order to provide primroses with normal development conditions and nutritional properties of the substrate, the plant bushes should be divided and planted. It will be better if you not only plant the overgrown bushes, but also move the entire flower garden with primroses to another place.

Perennial plantings of primroses require protective shelter for the winter. First of all, it is important to preserve the foliage rosette of primrose until autumn - this is the plant’s natural protection from winter cold.

Helpful advice: The rosette of such varieties of primroses as Japanese, Florinda and Melkozubchataya is not retained entirely, only 3-4 leaves are left, this significantly reduces the likelihood of primrose contracting rot of the root collar and leaves, and also allows the plant to form larger and brighter flowers by spring.

Mulching for the winter is easiest done at the end of autumn with a 10 cm layer of tree leaves.

Diseases and pests of primroses

Most often primroses are susceptible the following diseases:

• rust,
• rot of the ground part,
• bacterial leaf spot,
• powdery mildew,
• anthracnose,
• jaundice,
• viruses and cucumber mosaic,

From pests lesions often occur:

• nematodes,
• weevil,
• fleas,
• beetles, etc.

Primroses bring the biggest troubles fungus Ramularia cercosporella . This is evidenced by the appearance in late spring of first pale and then brown spots with a yellow border on the leaves of the plant.

When sporulation of mushrooms begins, and this usually happens in the second half of July, the spots become covered with a whitish coating. This leads to wilting and drying of the leaves, cessation of flowering, and weakening of the plant.

To prevent such situations, regularly inspect the primrose bushes. If you find affected leaves, remove and destroy them. Twice a year, immediately after flowering and in early spring treat the primrose plantings with the following compounds:

• 0.2% topsin, 2% foundationazole, 1.5% zineb,

• 0.5% copper oxychloride, 1% Bordeaux mixture.

In autumn, primroses should be sprayed with 1% nitrafen.

Interesting to know. Primrose Julia, Common, Spring and Tall primroses are most susceptible to this disease. Primula Ushkovaya, Primula Pink, and Pallas were found to be more resistant to damage by Ramularia cercosporella. Japanese, Florinda and Fine-toothed primroses do not suffer from this fungus.

Reproduction of primroses

These plants can be propagated as vegetative way (dividing the bush, cuttings), and using seeds.

Growing primroses from seeds

Requirements for seeds and substrate

Primroses produce a ripe seed capsule in the second half of summer. But when collecting seed material should take into account the fact that Primrose seeds lose their viability very easily. That's why for sowing, take only freshly harvested planting material.

In principle, you can sow primrose at any time of the year, but in Middle lane we recommend that you do this from the end of February. Try to find the most suitable day for this using. This way you will achieve better germination of seedlings and their normal development.

If you are planning to sow primroses at your summer cottage in open ground, then wait until the snow melts and prepare boxes or containers for sowing, digging them into the ground. This way you will reduce the likelihood of losing seedlings. At the same time, you will have to constantly ensure that the soil in the containers does not dry out, is not washed away by rainfall, and is not damaged by various pets.

You can plant primroses in a similar way summer period immediately after the seed pods ripen, but then, to ensure normal seed germination during periods of summer drought, you will need a larger amount of planting material. Some gardeners sow primroses at the end of autumn. But most high percent Primrose produces germination during seed propagation in the spring.

Containers for sowing

The most suitable for this are mini-greenhouses or containers with drainage holes at the bottom, with plastic, transparent lids. But you can use for these purposes any suitable container that allows you to set up a mini-greenhouse for seeds. You can even take an ordinary plastic food container with drainage holes drilled in the bottom.

Substrate for sowing

For most varieties of primrose, it is best to take a substrate, consisting of:

• 1/4 turf land,
• 1/2 leaf humus,
• 1/4 sand.

You can use ready-made flower soil, which is sold in stores. Just add 20-50% vermiculite and perlite or sphagnum moss if these components are not part of the mixture.

Fill the containers with the prepared substrate. It is possible, in the case of small Auricula seeds, to make a thin upper layer from perlite. The soil should be slightly moistened with a spray bottle.

Sowing primrose seeds

These plants are sown on the soil surface at the rate of 5 grains per 1 sq. cm of sown area. This can be done using a napkin on which the seeds are poured, or using a toothpick, having first moistened its tip with water. The seeds need to be lightly pressed into the ground.

What is cold start and why is it needed?

In nature, many species of wild primroses grow at the base of glaciers. Therefore, in order to produce friendly shoots, the seeds of such varieties of primroses as Pink, Florinda, Japanese, Siebold, Vysokaya and Opuschenaya need cold start. This means that immediately after sowing, the containers are placed in the freezer (up to -10 degrees) or covered with snow for 3-4 weeks.

Primroses of Siebold and Tall after cold starting should be germinated in a dark room until sprouts appear. We do not recommend that amateur flower growers engage in such varieties of primroses; leave this to experienced breeders. But hybrid varieties do not need such a procedure.

Germination of seedlings

Before sprouts appear, direct sunlight does not pose any particular problems for greenhouses. But as soon as you notice the first shoots, be sure to take care of shading primroses and regularly moistening the soil using a spray bottle or syringe without a needle. Just don’t overdo it with watering, otherwise the seedlings will start to rot very quickly!

You should also begin to gradually acclimatization of sprouts. This means that it is necessary to periodically ventilate the greenhouses, slowly increasing the time period of ventilation until the seedlings grow and 2 fully formed leaves appear on them. Then you can remove the transparent protective cover or film from the containers. During the period of intensive seedling growth, the frequency of watering is increased.

Note. In order to sprout, primroses planted in the fall will need 14-18 weeks, and seeds sown in the spring, only a month.

Diving of seedlings

It is advisable to do the picking 2 or 3 times. After 3 full leaves appear on the young plants, they should be planted. It makes sense to plant crops that are too dense and earlier in order to give them all the opportunity to develop normally. In this case, it is better to do this procedure using tweezers so as not to damage the delicate, fragile plant.

Make a pick every time the seedlings grow strongly.

Seedlings can be transplanted directly into the soil of the greenhouse, or into specially prepared boxes, and plant small varieties at a distance of 15 cm from each other, the distance between large primroses is up to 30 cm. At the same time, try to ensure that there is no free space between the leaves of neighboring primroses , this is unfavorable for them.

To a permanent place of growth Primroses are planted only in the second year of life in spring or autumn. Their decorative properties plants usually appear in the third year of life.

How to save seed

In case of adverse weather conditions in winter time your primroses may freeze or dry out. To ensure that there are no empty spaces left in the flower garden, you should always have a supply of fresh seeds from last year’s harvest. These seeds are stored mixed with sand in the refrigerator or basement.

Reproduction of primroses by dividing the bush

You can start this procedure no earlier than after 3-5 years of growing primroses- early spring, or from the second half of July. Try not to plant primroses later than the first half of September, otherwise the plants that have not yet matured may freeze and lose their decorative qualities or even die.

It is important to know. Plant primroses that bloom in summer in spring.

In order to plant a plant, water it abundantly, carefully dig it up, carefully shake off the clod of earth from the roots and wash the roots in water. This will make it much more convenient for you to divide the bushes and at the same time injure the plant as little as possible.

Then the bush is divided into arbitrary parts with a knife, but it should be taken into account that the divisions must contain at least one renewal bud. The sections must be processed, then as quickly as possible, without allowing them to dry out, the cuttings must be planted in a new place. After the plants are planted in the ground, they should be watered and preferably provided with a label with the name of the variety and the date of propagation.

It will be better if you plant the divisions in such a way that there is no free space between the foliage of the rosettes, so the plants can protect themselves from drying out. For 2 weeks, seedlings need daily watering. In case of propagation in autumn, do not forget to carry out protective mulching for the winter.

Reproduction by cuttings

Reproduction of primroses by cuttings carried out using a technology similar to propagation by dividing a bush. But not all types of primroses can be propagated in this way.

Auricula Propagated by rooting leaf cuttings. To do this, in the fall, several leaves are separated from the rosette and planted in a greenhouse, while the cuttings should take root in 2-3 weeks. In spring, the plants are transplanted into open ground to a permanent location.

Toothed primrose easily propagated by root cuttings. The largest plants, from which several large thick roots are separated, are suitable for this procedure. In order for the root to form buds, make a longitudinal cut up to one and a half cm in its upper part. After this, the cuttings should be planted in light soil 3 cm deep. Next, we proceed as described above about leaf cuttings.

You can find out here.

Primrose in garden design in photographs

border along garden path from primroses

Primrose in a flowerbed with daffodils

Flowerbed with primroses

Homemade primroses are grown as perennials, and garden primroses are grown as perennials and annuals. The needs of these varieties are somewhat similar, but they also have their own nuances, so we will consider separately and transplantation as an option for home flower and an option for growing in open ground.

General

Dividing primrose by roots for the purpose of propagation is always associated with the transplantation process. The first division is made in the third or fifth year. The plant needs replanting to rejuvenate the bush and renew the soil mixture.

When to make garden primrose? Every five-year period it is customary to replant and divide the primrose bush.

It is prone to overgrowth and requires periodic rejuvenation of the plant.. The optimal period for seating in in this case– time after flowering stops.

If for some reason this did not work out, then you can plant the primroses later, but no more than until mid-August.

Homemade

Homemade primrose is planted at the end of summer or early autumn, every two to three years.

Why is it necessary?

• Over several years of development, the primrose grows and the rosettes are already crowded together.
• There is a decrease in the abundance and duration of flowering.
• The roots are exposed, which makes the plant vulnerable.

Home view

Take a new pot a little larger than the old one. It should be quite wide, but at the same time of small depth. A clay pot is more acceptable, since clay is breathable and the roots breathe, providing the plant with comfortable and healthy conditions. Holes at the bottom of the pot to drain excess moisture are required.

Attention! The best method for transplanting primrose is by transshipment.

In years when replanting is not done, it is necessary to renew the soil by removing the top layer of one and a half centimeters and replacing it with a new one.

Lighting

The light-loving plant does not really favor direct sunlight; it likes diffused lighting. Primrose will feel bad on the north side, and in the south there is a risk of burns on the leaves. It is optimal to grow flowers on the windowsills of western and eastern windows.

Attention! With a lack of light, primrose can grow, but it will not produce abundant and long-lasting flowering.

Temperature

In winter and spring, temperatures of 10-15 degrees are welcome. In spring and during the flowering period, sending the plant to the balcony in partial shade will have a positive effect. When cold weather sets in, the primrose is returned to the house. More heat may cause flower drop and reduced flowering time. However, there is a reverse-conical primrose that loves warmth and develops normally at 16-20 degrees. At other times, a regular one will do. room temperature, without overheating.

Watering

On average, watering is as follows: the soil in the pot should not dry out, it should be kept slightly moist. However, you cannot create excess water, otherwise the roots will rot. There are also some nuances. During flowering periods, water the primrose abundantly, and after flowering, reduce the dosage of moisture, moisturizing two to three days after it has dried out. outer layer.

Humidity

The plant is not picky about special climate humidity parameters., but in a very dry and hot room it can get sick, the ends of the leaves will begin to dry out.

To solve the problem, just place cups of water, an evaporator nearby, or place the pot in a large tray with moistened moss or expanded clay balls.

It is advisable to regularly spray the primrose with a fine sprayer so that its leaves do not dry out.

The soil

The soil mixture should be moderately saturated useful substances, and with weak, closer to neutral acidity. Suitable soil for geraniums or universal soil for indoor flowers, if you mix it with not large quantity m of sand. You can make the soil yourself by mixing equal parts: sand, peat, turf and leaf soil.

Advice! Before use, disinfect with a light solution of potassium permanganate.

Fertilizer

They feed the primrose from the moment the first buds appear until the end of flowering. Mineral liquids are used to feed flowering plants. The concentration is halved relative to the dosage recommended in the instructions. The procedure is carried out every couple of weeks. During the color period, it is permissible to apply organic matter once - a solution of bird droppings.

At other times, fertilizing is not done; it is applied only once during the growing season. nitrogen fertilizers to help the foliage growth process. Fertilizing liquids for deciduous plants, or a 0.1% solution of ammonium nitrate, will work here.

Flowering and dormancy

With sufficient light and normal watering, primrose blooms in February and ends the flowering period in July. Then comes the time of rest. During this period, the formation of leaves and peduncles stops, but the old ones do not wither. It is advisable to move the plant to partial shade.

In winter, it is preferable to stay on the northern windowsill near the wall to create less illumination and at the same time coolness. Conditions change before the flowering period - the lighting is increased and the pot is moved to a warmer place.

Growing by March 8 in a greenhouse

Low-growing plants of two to three years of age are suitable for cultivation. One-year-olds will produce small shoots, but mature ones will look quite decent, having managed to gain the required volume in a short time. Before planting, you need to divide the rhizome into independent bushes, so make several pieces out of one.

Advice! After the plant has flowered, it is possible to return it to open ground, caring for it according to generally accepted rules.

Cultivation in open ground

Now about growing in open ground.

The soil

Primroses like soil that is hygroscopic, loose and light.. It is important to drain the soil so that moisture does not stagnate and cause rotting of the roots. It grows best in clay-sandy soils. If the soil is heavy and clayey, then you can loosen and lighten it by adding a ten-liter volume of sand and a couple of kilograms of manure per cubic meter, and crushed sphagnum and vermiculite for drainage and looseness.

Location

What to do with a garden variety?

Now about growing a garden variety of primrose and caring for it.

Low-growing primroses are planted at intervals of 10-15 cm, and large ones with an interval of 20-30 cm. Primrose loves closed and protected spaces, so the flower garden should be organized so that the plants close together after they grow.

It is preferable to transplant on a cloudy day.

1. Prepare a hole of appropriate depth in the desired location.
2. Ash, sand and manure are added to new holes.
3. Dig up the primrose along with a lump of earth.
4. Rearrange the plant, placing it in the center of the new hole. Carefully fill the voids on the sides with soil.
5. Water and shade the plant in hot weather.

If the transplant is associated with the intention of dividing the primrose, then the procedure should be performed after the flowering period. It is important that the flower then has time to take root before the onset of the cold season.

Important! This issue has its own characteristics, since, for example, the Siebold variety is not divided at the beginning of spring and at autumn season. This is due to the fact that she wakes up later and by August 15 her foliage is already dying off. Pink primrose blooms in the first month of spring, but does not yet produce leaves. Taking this into account, it is divided only when rosettes are formed.

In addition to the above examples, there are others individual characteristics propagation of varieties.

Main characteristics This plant is determined by the flowering parameters. The name speaks for itself - the plant blooms at the very beginning of spring. Primula is a Latin word that means “first” and this is completely deserved, since for the most part it awakens to life sooner than others after a cold winter. Many varieties begin to bloom in late April - early May, others in mid-May, and there are also those that give their first color in the midst and end of summer.

Bright flowers are collected in inflorescences according to the most different principles: umbrella, candelabra, cushion-shaped, tiered, capitate and bell-shaped. This is the main difference. Flowers come in a wide variety of colors - brown, purple, blue, white, yellow, with contrasting, spectacular borders along the edges of the petals.

After flowering is completed, the ground part of the primrose may begin to dry out, but not always, it all depends on the variety. It is necessary to loosen the soil, removing weeds. Reduce watering.

Primrose biorhythms are included in new mode And the plant stops blooming and begins to form foliage. An important circumstance is to preserve the rosette until late autumn, since the foliage will also protect the plant from the cold.

Cold-resistant varieties are left for the winter, and hybrids are put indoors.

Frost-resistant primroses are sprinkled with a small layer of humus and covered with a layer of spruce branches. In relatively warm regions with a lot of snow, the plant does not need to be covered. In the spring, even before complete melting, you need to destroy the ice crust so that it does not dry out, and free the primrose from dried foliage. Trimming leaves in the fall will damage the aesthetic properties of the flower, weaken flowering, and reduce the appearance. Now you know what to do after the plant blooms.

We discussed preparing primrose for winter in more detail, and from here you will learn about the rules of replanting and caring for the plant in the autumn.

Reproduction

In this section we will tell you how to propagate a flower. You will learn about leaf propagation and bush division.

This is done in August or early September for rejuvenation and to obtain material for breeding.

Axillary shoot

It is used when the roots are weakened, and also if there is only one outlet.

The leaf, along with part of the petiole, a bud and a shoot fragment, is cut off and rooted in the substrate. Sheet plate before removing material for dilution, reduce by half, cutting. When the buds sprout with four leaves, they are planted in separate pots, and in the spring they are transplanted to open ground.

Reference! Rooting is carried out under the following conditions: the temperature is maintained at +16-18 ºC, regularly moistening the soil and providing good lighting, but without direct rays.

other methods

• The division can be disconnected without disturbing the entire plant, but simply by digging it up and separating it from the rhizome from one of the favorable sides.
• You don’t have to combine transplantation with breeding, but use the cutting method. It is preferable to cut primrose in May or June. For this purpose, cut off a leaf with a petiole and root it in a mini-greenhouse from a jar or bag. The method is mainly used for ear-type primroses.
• There is an option of pinching the apical bud, which will provoke active awakening of the lateral buds, and the primrose will produce an abundance of cuttings.

Possible diseases and their treatment

Primrose is quite resistant to disease, but there are still problems. Actively damaging the plant are aphids, mites, weevils, flea beetles, slugs and nematodes. Primroses are especially vulnerable to diseases such as powdery mildew, ramularia cercosporella fungus, rot, rust, bacterial spot and anthracnose.

The most difficult period in this regard is from mid-March to June inclusive. The leaves begin to lose their appearance, turn brown, pale, yellow, and with the development of the destructive influence of pathogenic factors, the plant may even die. To combat the disease, it is necessary to free the primrose from the affected leaves and stems and disinfect the “wounds” with fungicides. In addition, you can spray with Bordeaux mixture or copper oxychloride in the form of a solution, before flowering and at the end.

The bright colors and variety of shapes and sizes of bushes make it a hit not only when decorating an apartment, but also in landscape design. This unpretentious plant successfully used to decorate the garden. Due to the characteristics of the plant, they are used in the northern part of the site. For achievement decorative effect primroses are planted more densely so that they form a single lush flowering line, circle or angular shape. Primrose can also be grown in beautiful flowerpots on outdoors , changing the composition according to my mood.

Beneficial features

• The entire plant, roots, flowers and stems, contains a high concentration of manganese salts.
• Roots are a source of saponins, essential oils and glycosides.
• The green part and flowers are rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C.
• The leaves are added to soups and salads, and to roasts. It even contains carotene.
• The roots are also used in cooking, such as fresh, and in dried powder form.
• The decoction has expectorant properties and helps cure diseases of the respiratory system.
• An infusion is prepared from the roots, and a decoction is prepared from the above-ground parts.
• Primrose relieves pain, acts as a diuretic, helps with headaches, insomnia and neuroses.
• The plant is widely included in multifunctional herbal preparations.

Important! The only contraindications are individual intolerance and pregnancy.

Unpretentious, gentle, and at the same time a strong plant is not only a decoration for the garden and home, but also a caring healer, saving from illness and sadness, generously giving his charm and charisma. Just a little attention and a charge of vigor and health will be provided.

Now you know how to divide primrose and when.

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The spring flower, also known as the primrose, can bloom even before the snow cover has completely melted. Thanks to this feature, the plant attracts the close attention of many landscape designers and amateur gardeners. Perennial primrose, planting and caring for which does not take much time and effort, captivates with the spring attractiveness of bright inflorescences against the backdrop of nature that has not yet awakened.

Every gardener or gardener has a plot of land that, in their opinion, is unsuitable for further cultivation of crops. However, the unpretentious primrose can fully develop in such areas, delighting the owner with spring colors. And even if the beauty of the primrose is not able to outshine the surrounding flowers, it is able to give its flowers over a long period - from mid-spring to mid-summer, and sometimes twice during the growing season.

Planting flowers

Proper landing is the key successful cultivation plants.

Preparing the site and soil

Different types of primrose have their own preferences: some love sunny areas, others are areas shaded by other plants, others are damp banks of water bodies. The optimal solution would be to plant the crop in a shaded area or on the eastern side of the house, which will protect it from drying out by the scorching midday sun. If you plan to plant flowers to decorate a rock garden, then you should avoid the south side.

Primrose prefers light fertile soils with high humidity and good drainage system, preventing stagnation of water, which the flower most needs during the phase of intensive development and flowering. In case of severe depletion of the soil, additional enrichment with nutrients is carried out by adding organic matter with a norm of 20 kg of a mixture of compost, humus and peat in a ratio of 2: 1: 1 per 1 m2 and mineral fertilizers - 20 g of nitroammophoska for the same area.

How and when to plant?

Disembarkation perennial primrose the garden is carried out in spring time or in the fall of the second year of development. Compact varieties are planted with a distance of 15 cm between specimens, and large species are located 20 cm apart from each other.

Important! The bushes should be planted in such a way that when growth is completed, the plantings close together: primrose has a negative attitude towards excess space.

Landing rules

Primrose is usually planted with seedlings, to obtain which you must follow the instructions:

1. At the beginning of February, seeds purchased from a specialized store are distributed over a moistened surface. soil mixture, consisting of leaf soil, sand and peat in a ratio of 2:1:1, so that there are up to 5 pieces per 1 cm2.
2. The dishes with the crops are covered with polyethylene and placed in freezer with temperatures down to -10°C.
3. After 3-4 weeks, the container with frozen seeds is placed on the windowsill, where it is shaded from direct sun.
4. A week after the first shoots appear, the film is removed.
5. When the seedlings, characterized by slow growth, form two pairs of true leaves, the seedlings are picked into boxes using tweezers

Important! Primrose from seeds is planted in the garden only after two years of growing in boxes.

Caring for perennial garden primrose

Primrose does not need special care. However, in order for a flower to please its owner with flowers for a long period, it is necessary to adhere to the basic agrotechnical requirements for growing primroses in open ground.

Watering

The culture needs constantly moist soil. In spring, abundant watering is carried out once a week. During hot periods, the frequency of irrigation and the volume of water used doubles - 1 m2 is irrigated with three liters of liquid.

Top dressing

Enriching the soil with nutrients is an integral part of complete care. During the growing season, primrose is fed weekly with a solution of complex mineral fertilizers with a concentration half as much as indicated on the package.

Advice! To avoid the growth of green mass instead of the formation of flowers, fertilizing with nitrogen-containing fertilizers should alternate with the application of potassium and phosphorus.

Flower transplant

Primrose is a rapidly growing plant, and therefore requires systematic replanting every 4-5 years, during which the bush is divided.

Protection from pests and diseases

Since primrose is cultivated on moist soils in partial shade, it is prone to fungal diseases in the form powdery mildew, rot, rust, and bacterial spots. When manifestations of fungal diseases are detected, fungicide treatments are carried out, and in the case of bacterial diseases, the affected specimens are destroyed. Of the pests on primrose, aphids are noted, spider mite, weevils, flea beetles, which can be combated by spraying the plantings with an insecticidal preparation.

Preparing for winter

After flowering is completed, the soil under the primroses is loosened and cleared of weeds, after which the flowers are left alone. In the autumn, the crop begins to grow green mass, which serves as a natural shelter for the flowers during the winter.

Reproduction

The seed method is not the only one possible way primrose breeding. The flower can be propagated by vegetative methods - cuttings, dividing the bush and rooting shoots.

Dividing the bush

After reaching bush of three years, as a rule, you can begin to divide it. However, there are exceptions: some varieties are propagated using this method only after five years of age. Optimal time for dividing the bush are early spring or autumn - the periods before or after the flowering phase.

When carrying out the procedure, you should be guided by the following algorithm:

• The plant is carefully dug up, and its root system is cleared of soil residues.
• The rhizome is divided into parts using a sharp knife, each of which should have 2-3 roots and a leaf rosette.
• The cut areas are sprinkled with wood ash as an antiseptic.
• Afterwards, the separated parts of the rhizome are planted in the garden.
• During spring division, each new plant is watered daily for 12-14 days.
• If the procedure is carried out in the fall, young specimens take shelter even before the onset of serious cold weather.

Propagation by cuttings

When applying this method, the largest primrose bush is selected, from which, after being removed from the ground, parts with developed roots are separated.

Then:

• The tops of the cuttings are cut longitudinally, which allows the buds to grow faster.
• Prepared cuttings are planted in open ground to a depth of 4 cm.

Rooting

In the case where a plant does not have a formed root system and fully developed rosettes, the rooting method is the most suitable way reproduction.

To be successful, you must complete the following steps:

• From the very base of the rhizome, the leaf petiole with ⅓ of the leaf blade is separated.
• The shoot is planted in a container filled with a substrate of leaf soil and sand in equal parts.
• The pot is transferred to a room with a large amount of diffused light and a temperature within 16-18°C.

When a shoot forms from the bud, the plant moves into the garden, provided that weather this is allowed.

Application in landscape design

The variety of species and varieties of primrose, as well as the ease of cultivation, contribute to the growth of its popularity among landscape designers, some of whom prefer primroses rather than tulips or daffodils. After all, if you choose the right varietal composition, a flower garden can delight the owner with flowers from mid-spring to the end of summer.

Most often, primrose is used to decorate the following objects:

• The banks of artificial reservoirs are often decorated with moisture-loving primroses.
• Borders and paths are organically shaded with bright varieties.
• Rock gardens and rockeries are also often decorated with primroses due to their undemanding requirements for soil and lighting.

So, garden primrose, being an undemanding flower, is an ideal crop for any garden plot. And the diversity of species makes it possible to enjoy long flowering almost until the end of summer.