Primula March 2007

[Diane Clement]

I like the leaves on that Primula jesoensis.  Do they flatten out as the leaf grows or do they always have that shape?

I would guess they flatten, but - I've never seen the real species before.  I'll keep you informed of its progress.

[Ian Y]

Two primulas flowering in our  gaden today.
The first a nice compact form of Primula marginata called 'Napoleon'.
The second Primula denticulata, that common plant but it is a real beauty if you select a nice form.

[Maggi Young]

Referring back to the discussion about flower shapes generated by Tony G's pic of Primula 'Hallowen (Halloween?)Blue', reply 38 on page three: I draw attention to Diane Clements pic of Primula nana alba, earlier on the page, reply 34 and add to the mix, this photo pinched from the Blackpool Show Report, of Primula bracteata

All showing the more open petal form...
just for interest!

[David Pilling]

It's Primula jesoensis.

If I might be so bold, what is the relation between Primula Jesoensis and Primula Jesoana? and if I obtain any old packet of jesoana seeds will I end up with a nice primula like the one pictured:

http://www.primulaworld.com/PWweb/gallery/jesoana.html

[Maggi Young]

"It's Primula jesoensis."
Oh, says David P. then"
If I might be so bold, what is the relation between Primula Jesoensis and Primula Jesoana? and if I obtain any old packet of jesoana seeds will I end up with a nice primula like the one pictured:

http://www.primulaworld.com/PWweb/gallery/jesoana.html

Oh dear David, we are guilty of some sloppy naming here! Diane's lovely leaved plant is meant to be Primula jesoana, the other is an invalid name as far as I can gather.
As to your obtaining seeds of this beauty if you obtain a packet of primula seeds purporting to be P. jesoana, frankly I expect that the likiliehood is that you will get plants of P. cortusoides or P. polyneura since these two have often been mistaken for jesoana. Only a handful of gardens have the "real deal" in their collections or  seedlists  but there are some new collections coming in, as evidenced by the source of Diane's seed.

Lovley photos on Pam's site, by the way.

[johanneshoeller]

Jan, it is time to take cuttings!
Hans

[Diane Clement]

If I might be so bold, what is the relation between Primula Jesoensis and Primula Jesoana? and if I obtain any old packet of jesoana seeds will I end up with a nice primula like the one pictured:

Sorry for silly typo.   

Primula jesoana is correct, as Maggi confirms.  It's a matter of gender agreement.  jesoenis is the species name for a Daphne, a Picea and a Viola and probably others, although sometimes spelled with a "z" as in jezoensis or a  "y" as in yesoensis.  I believe it means from Hokkaido in Japan.

Also, I'm with Maggie on growing from seed.  Sadly, you have little chance of getting the right thing this way.  Crug nursery is the best source of the real plant at the moment, unless anyone knows any other. 

[David Nicholson]

Here's a picture of my second Auricula to flower in 2007. A very dark Self grown from seed sown in 2005 and flowering for the first time. It seems to have nice form and will give me a couple of offsets come re-potting time.

It is however suffering from the same problem as some of my other Auriculas this year in that it has a very short stem. Although I have only been growing Auriculas for four years this is the first time I have had this problem. Apart from my changing over from growing in clay pots to plastic, and a consequential change to my normal potting mix, my cultivation methods are the same. Maybe it is as a result of the very mild winter with no appreciable amount of frost? Does anyone have any views on the problem please?

[Maggi Young]

Jan, it is time to take cuttings!

Hans, you are quite right! I will tell him this!

it has a very short stem

David, often auricula growers complain of stems that are too long and cannot support the flower head- you have the opposite , eh?  I don't know what could remedy the situation, though there are other auricula men around this forum who might be able to help.... Bob Mackie, for instance, are you reading this, Bob?

[Casalima]

Such a beautiful deep colour, David!

I confess that I have hankered after auriculas for years, originally and frivolously attracted by the photograph of the "Chloë" auricula in the RHS Encyclopaedia of Plants and Flowers. The "Chloë" doesn't seem to be available any more but there is a "Green Parrot", and as my name means "green shoot" and my surname is Parrott, it seems quite appropriate!

All the Primula on this page are quite wonderful. Congratulations to all growers!

[Lesley Cox]

I sometimes find that auriculas are very short right at the beginning of their bloom season but not only do the stems lengthen as the days go by but also, the later stems are longer from their beginning.

It can happen with many primulas, as, for instance Ian's P. denticulata above. I bet they don't stay as low as that for very long.

[Maggi Young]

Ian's P. denticulata above. I bet they don't stay as low as that for very long.

No, indeed, they extend up to at least 40cms as they develop.

[David Nicholson]

Such a beautiful deep colour, David!

I confess that I have hankered after auriculas for years, originally and frivolously attracted by the photograph of the "Chloë" auricula in the RHS Encyclopaedia of Plants and Flowers. The "Chloë" doesn't seem to be available any more but there is a "Green Parrot", and as my name means "green shoot" and my surname is Parrott, it seems quite appropriate!

All the Primula on this page are quite wonderful. Congratulations to all growers!

Hi Chloe, your namsake Auricula is still about but getting it is like pulling hen's teeth! If I ever see it available I will get one for you-until then here is a picture instead.

[David Nicholson]

I sometimes find that auriculas are very short right at the beginning of their bloom season but not only do the stems lengthen as the days go by but also, the later stems are longer from their beginning.

It can happen with many primulas, as, for instance Ian's P. denticulata above. I bet they don't stay as low as that for very long.

There's still hope then?

[tonyg]

A few days ago I posted a pictue of a primula called P Hallowen Blue.  Everyone seems to have picked up the name as Halloween Blue but I took a pic of the label and it says Hallowen.  Googling the name does not help .... with either spelling ... so it may not be a recognised cultivar.

There you are Maggi (who asked for clarification)you had me wondering but my habit of snapping the names as well as the plants (too lazy to use a notebook ) ensures a straight answer!