cowslips from seed

[simon404]

Does anyone have experience on growing cowslips from saved seed? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the seed should be collected and sown whilst still green rather than ripe. Then again I might have just dreamt that.

[simon404]

[Digeroo]

I find cowslips extremely fickle.  I managed to source some plants many years ago when they were digging a gas pipeline through a most beautiful bank of full of them.  I managed to replace quite a few when they had finish and a few found their way into my garden.   I did try and ask permission but Gloucestershire were very unhelpful at the time.

I have tried every way possible to get them to grow where I chose, but they only appear where they want to.

Good luck with them, but personally I would leave them on the plant and move some of the seedlings when they appear.  If the effects of the travellers is anything to go by then horse pee/manure is the answer.  There is always a ring of cowslips where their horses have been tethered.

[winecap]

I took a handful of seed after it had ripened on the plants and sowed some in a pot, then scattered the rest of it elsewhere. It came up like a lawn so I gave the pot of seedlings away. I hadn't expected it to grow so well, but now I'm worried I may soon have cowslips growing everywhere.

[Jayb]

Hi Simon, you're not dreaming, Cowslips can be sown when the seed is green or once fully ripened. Sowing it green will give you plants that bit sooner, I've tried both ways with good results. Such a lovely flower, one of my favourites 

[Robert_Brenchley]

Primula seed needs to be sown when extremely fresh, hence the green seed.

[simon404]

Thanks for your replies - I'll get collecting seed. Don't think I'll be getting a horse just yet.