Primula 2013

[Graham Catlow]

Thanks for the suggestions Susan.
I have just been for an investigation and they have a good root system and no signs of vine weevil.
The P. wanda were the first to show signs and I don't know when that was but is was certainly more than a couple of days ago, and we haven't had any frosts recently.

Graham

[Mark Griffiths]

that's truely strange. I would think elatior would be very hardy as it's a native. I also thought vine weevil but I've never seen it in open ground - plus they seem to be the only plants affected.

[Mark Griffiths]

what are the crowns like? might it be some kind of fungus/ bacterial infection?  Other than that it looks like drought..I would assume you would have already seen that developing

[Graham Catlow]

Hi Mark,
The 'Wanda' seem to have good crowns but the others just look dead. I was wondering if anyone might suggest a bacteria/virus. I think I might dispose of the sick ones just in case.
They have a good deep root system and in digging down the ground is still moist so I don't think it is drought.

Thanks for your suggestions.
Graham

[Susan Band]

the Wanda type of primulas have a shelf life if never split. About 5 years and they loose their vigor. Usually they just stop producing leaves rather than suddenly die. It might be worth splitting them and potting them up separately to see if that helps.
Susan

[Gail]

Graham - do you think it may be this?
http://www.apsnet.org/publications/PlantDisease/BackIssues/Documents/1988Articles/PlantDisease72n08_672.pdf

[Mark Griffiths]

While it has been very dry here until recently I think I felt my drought guess was a bit of a long shot because you have very tender looking things next to them which would have in theory also been hit. Which probably also discounts herbiside unless the other things have only appeared in the last week or so.

I've not read the full material Gail posted but I spotted P. vulgaris in there so it's not just the greenhouse ones. Have you brought in any new plants?

Hope it's not a disease because it looks really aggressive and if native plants are keeling over I worry this might start appearing in the wild.

[Graham Catlow]

Hi Gail,
That's very much what this looks like except that the crowns of the 'wanda' seem quite firm. It may be that they will deteriorate.
I think for the sake of some others in other parts of the garden I will destroy all plants with the symptoms and hope that will end the problem. None are of any real significance (to me) and could be replaced in a few years time if this controls the problem.

Mark - no new Primulas.

Thanks to you all for your input.

Graham

[Armin]

Graham,
have you recently fertilzed your primulas or garden?
Burned roots could be the reason for the rot too.

[WimB]

..some blue sieboldii's..

Wow, didn't know these existed!

'Sangoguko'
 - from a nursery in Belgium a few yrs ago.

 From which nursery? 

[Graham Catlow]

Graham,
have you recently fertilzed your primulas or garden?
Burned roots could be the reason for the rot too.

Hi Armin,
No fertiliser and the roots were in good condition.
All plants disposed of this evening. I will just have to keep an eye on all other Primulas and remove them as soon as I see the problem starting.

[Giles]

The 'Sangoguko' came from http://www.vasteplant.be/
Yes blue ones exist. This is my best one - bluer on the back of the petals.

[David Nicholson]

Primula 'Miller's Crimson'

[David Nicholson]

Primula 'Postford White'  sorry, poor pic.
P. pulverulenta

[WimB]

The 'Sangoguko' came from http://www.vasteplant.be/
Yes blue ones exist. This is my best one - bluer on the back of the petals.

Well, Jan's Nursery...it's been ages since I've been there, time for another visit! 

Very nice blue one, Giles