Hello - does anybody here grow auriculas? Got some earlier this year, they're fantastic to look at when they're flowering but not too sure on the best ways to look after them.
Any experienced auricula growers out there by any chance??
It is traditional to grow them in theatres. If you google images 'auricula theatres' there are some great oics. I saw a huge one at a National trust house I think it was Calke Abbey. The green flowered auriculas are amazing.
http://www.auriculaandprimula.org.uk/history.html
I liked the kitchen garden at Calke as well.
Grew some from seed once, but they did not do well after the first flowers died down. If I cannot eat it I loose interest.
I did grow some auriculas...but that was some years ago.
I still have 'soft spot' for them and would love to grow them again...but as I grow that much other things, I don't have time for the auriculas. I found that if grown in pots they took too much of my precious time to keep them in top condition...and grown in ground, they don't tend to look their best, unless they have some cover for the worst of of the weather.
But one day I shall start again...
I grow them though I would not claim to be expert or anything. Which ones do you have? There are different types, from Show ones to Alpines to Border. The type defines the way they are grown.
I've got some in the garden which do not get any special treatment in the border and either live or die but seem happy enough, not sure about this total wet wet wet weather though.
The alpine types I grow in an alpine house and are grown in a gritty compost and no water in winter, lots of grit around the crown and remove the yellow leaves to prevent fungal growths.
oh i love them - show ones that is of alpines, selfs, fancies and edges. they're v expensive and they need a lot of looking after. i must admit, i do have them mixed pots but also, in indivdiual pots. i like dividing them in the summer once the flowering has finished. i must have about 10 varieties. what they don't like is the wet, so have lots of gritty soil and mulch with grit and bob's your uncle. they don't mind in the colder months to store them in the shade, but once spring's about, bring 'em out in the sun...
i don't mind to swap a few varieties if anyone's interested..
Hi Plot surfer, how have you got on?
I found that growing them in big pots works well and once you have a few its very easy to grow them from fresh green seed.
Good luck let us know how you get on.
x Sunloving
Just been measuring up and looking at the wood I have and I reckon I can build myself an Auricula Theatre. Would need some black paint and some brackets, but otherwise I think I have everything I need. Big enough to get all my Auriculas in too. Never counted, but I think I have 2 dozen or so in pots and about 12 of the border ones in the garden, somewhere.
:happy7: I feel a photo session coming on :toothy10: