Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Specific Families and Genera => Primula => Topic started by: Claire Cockcroft on November 06, 2017, 01:53:21 AM

Title: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on November 06, 2017, 01:53:21 AM
I've posted pictures of meconopsis and orchids from my trek in Northern Sikkim this summer.  The last group is primulas.  In no particular order, except alphabetical, is P. calderiana, P. capitata, and tiny P. concinna.
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on November 06, 2017, 01:55:38 AM
More primulas: P. denticulata, P. elongata, P. klattii
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on November 06, 2017, 02:07:43 AM
Primula macrophylla, seen above 4900m, and P. primulina with its pom-pom center.
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on November 06, 2017, 02:09:03 AM
One more tiny primula: P. sapphirina in white and lavender
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on November 06, 2017, 02:10:48 AM
The last group and the most plentiful (though P. capitata was a close second), P. sikkimensis.
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Maggi Young on November 06, 2017, 11:42:57 AM
Well, you know, I do think all primulas are beautiful - especially when they are sweetly scented - but for  mega appeal in a small package, aren't those P. sapphirina just the best?
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on November 06, 2017, 05:08:16 PM
I have to agree, Maggi. It's the first time I've seen P. sapphirina.  It wowed me!
...Claire
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: David Nicholson on November 06, 2017, 07:07:29 PM
A WOW from me too.
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Leena on November 07, 2017, 11:23:47 AM
A WOW from me too.

And me, too. :)
Especially the field full of P.sikkimensis, but it must have been wonderful to see all those smaller Primulas in the wild, too.
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: David Sellars on November 07, 2017, 04:19:34 PM
I do like Primula sikkimensis.  Those are huge cabbages. From your field observations Claire, did you get any insights into the best way of growing them in the garden.
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Leena on November 07, 2017, 04:49:54 PM
From your field observations Claire, did you get any insights into the best way of growing them in the garden.

I'm also interested in this. For me P.sikkimensis has been short lived, but maybe I have tried to grow it in a wrong place.
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on November 07, 2017, 05:37:23 PM
P. sikkimensis was found in damp places.  In glacial moraines, there was water running beneath the surface, and clouds of water vapor blew in to dampen plants (and hikers) every afternoon.  Where it was growing with other dense vegetation, the soil was clay, so it retained moisture even with the competing roots.  But the slopes were steep, so water couldn't pool.  We often found it beside small streams.

We camped in that field of P. sikkimensis.  It was hard to walk without stepping on it or M. simplicifolia.
...Claire
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Leena on November 07, 2017, 08:28:37 PM
We camped in that field of P. sikkimensis.  It was hard to walk without stepping on it or M. simplicifolia.

Sounds like a dream. :)

Thanks for the P.sikkimensis info, mine grew probably in too dry soil.
Title: Re: Primula in Sikkim, 2017
Post by: Hoy on December 23, 2017, 09:02:03 AM
Nice primulas Claire!
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