Primula Vialli

[Rox]

Anyone have best practices for sowing this plant? I read somewhere that they should be kept in small pots their first year and overwintered in a greenhouse before being planted out next spring. Or is there any chance of putting them in the ground late summer/autumn if I sow now? I just got a new packet of seed and am roaring to go!  They look so beautiful, and perfect for the damp moist bits of the garden ;)

[Rox]

[Mimi]

Sorry Rox, cant help you.  I have only ever bought these plants as pot plants from a nursery.

[Obelixx]

I think these plants are beautiful and have bought them several times at plant fairs but they never, ever, survive the winter here and make it to the next spring so I've given up.  On the other hand, some candelabra primulas, drumstick and Japanese prims have done very well.

Since you have seed, why not have a go anyway and keep some of the resulting plants sheltered for the first winter and put some out and see what happens.

[wardy]

Mine died too.  It was in heavy cold clay though and many of my perennials used to rot off over the winter.  I grew some primulas from seed last year and have posted the results on here somewhere - under wildlife I think.  Follow the packet instructions carefully and you should have no problems.    :)

[Rox]

thx Obbelix & Wardy - I will give them a go as recommended - given I have enough seeds - I'll do a trial with some in the ground, some overwintered, and see what happens next spring... thx!!  :D

[Obelixx]

Let us know, won't you.

[Rox]

of course!  ;D

[dibberxxx]

i bought some last year but no signs of them this year so mine must have died to , i read that they are very short lived perhaps u have to replace them every year, they are such a striking colour beautiful little things

[wardy]

Rox    Me and my mate both grew polyanthus "chartreuse" at the same time.  She put hers directly into the garden soil whereas I followed the packet instructions and sowed in a seed tray.  She never saw hers again and blamed bad seed.  Mine blossomed.  Smart a r s e  aren't I  ;D

[Deeds]

To germinate they need cool and damp conditions, never use heat for the Primula family.

I would sow half now and keep the rest in the salad drawer of the fridge until autumn as a backup.

They are short lived perennials, I love them, but treat them as monocarpic and that way I always have some in the garden.