Primulas 2012

[Mark Griffiths]

The allionii season is stating here now after going into suspended animation for 2 weeks.

The plants, P. allionii Elizabeth Burrow, P. allionii Malcolm, P. allionii Pinkie.   

The Malcolm is smaller than last year. Last year it was a perfect dome of flowers - but underneath it must have been sweating as I lost a fair amount of the plant. You can also see the green sulphur powder not yet covered up by flowers or new growth.

[David Nicholson]

Very nice Mark. Takes me back to the days when I struggled to grow them and I really miss them now.

[ronm]

Why? David. What happened?

[David Nicholson]

Ran out of space Ron and something had to go. Mind you I've run out of space at least twice more since those days

[ronm]

Would you like some?   

[David Nicholson]

Ron, that's very kind but I really couldn't do them justice. I've reached saturation point and I think I shall have some hard choices to make during next summer. For example, and these are really rhetorical questions, should I continue with the range of Romulea I grow given that they exist on the lower level of my staging and not the best place to flower. Or should I grow far fewer Narcissi and Crocuses to make room for Romuleas in a better position. Should I stop growing Cyclamen under glass. Should I stop growing Junos under glass. Should I stop growing Irises under glass. When I eventually get round to adding another small greenhouse will I fill it with the hundreds of pots of seedling bulbs that are sheltered in all sorts of places round the garden or will I stop growing from seed and carry on with some of my other choices.

Such is the life of a gardener

[ronm]

Choices, choices.
Whatever you decide I think that growing from seed is the ultimate. Yes, not immediate satisfaction , not a lot of recognition here for a few years of care, , sleepless nights as to whether they will see next year,  , but ultimate satisfaction when they flower and you are the first person in the history of the world to see that genetic expression, . If you change your mind I have some you can have.

[Lesley Cox]

I've reached saturation point. Such is the life of a gardener

It's the weather in Devon. Every time it rains again Mrs N has to squeeze him out.

[fermi de Sousa]

Ran out of space Ron and something had to go. Mind you I've run out of space at least twice more since those days

Would you like some?   

I thought you were offering David some space!
Very generous indeed!
It's too hot and dry for these sorts of primulas where I live so it's nice to see the pics on the Forum.
cheers
fermi

[Mark Griffiths]

You know I was thinking I had too many plants.

Then I realised the massive error in my thinking.

Of course, I too have too little space.

I'm currently looking into the idea of using higher dimensions to put the frames in. My other idea is "inflatable spaces". it just needs a little more work. I'm close to a breakthrough.

[David Nicholson]

When you've cracked it Mark do let me know how

[johnw]

You know I was thinking I had too many plants.

Then I realised the massive error in my thinking.

Of course, I too have too little space.

I'm currently looking into the idea of using higher dimensions to put the frames in. My other idea is "inflatable spaces". it just needs a little more work. I'm close to a breakthrough.

I've been waiting for the 4th dimension for years.

[Mark Griffiths]

Avoid the 5th dimension. That's where the vine weevils came from.

Pic of what I think must be an allionii hybrid. Many years ago I'd find seed pots on allionii Mary Berry - I tried them and got a number of hybrids. This one has yellow in the throat making me think it is a hybrid. I think I was growing one of the Lismore hybrids at the time. This one has a sorted of old velvet faded quality to it.

[sippa]

Blooming in my greenhouse now.  All grown from seed, the Primula bracteata dubernardiana from last year's SRGC seed exchange.

Marianne

Primula bracteata dubernardiana
P. megaseifolia
P. x kewensis

[Maggi Young]

An early start for these, Marianne.