Primula moupinensis

[brianw]

I acquired a pot of this recently. A central plant with 3 offsets/runners on stalks, a bit like strawberry plants. When I got it they were just 3 leaves on the offsets but now they have nice bulbous centres, as does the main plant. What happens next? Do I have to root them by pinning them down onto pots, i.e. layering, before separation from the parent rosette? There is no sign of roots at present and the "runner" stalks are quite substantial.
I know they are better suited to Aberdeen weather than the Thames valley but I like a challenge.

[Maggi Young]

When the offsets have rooted themselves, the stolon will wither. If the offsets have not made roots  by late Autumn then the offsets are likely to wither also.  It doesn't hurt to pin them down - lightly - to hold them in place and maximise their chances to put  down some roots.

You can see how they can make good colonies at Cluny House in Perthshire  in the IRG of March 2012  http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2012Apr031333442629IRG27-March2012.pdf

[brianw]

Thanks Maggie. More or less as I assumed, but the problem is the offsets are well clear of the main plant in its pot, so either a very much larger pot or satellite pots with the problem of keeping it all rigid. There is little or no flexibility in the runners, unlike strawberry plants. I will check the local GC for a suitable shallow bowl or use something like a biscuit "tin".

[brianw]

Found an old plastic hanging basket base. Just about the right size and depth. Pinned the runners down and weighed them with strips of broken roof tiles. Now just wait I guess.

[fermi de Sousa]

I'm intrigued, Brian,
can you post a pic of how you've done this?
cheers
fermi

[brianw]

The pan (plastic hanging basket base) is 12" across. You can make out the original pot with the label in, just. I will separate the plants later; all being well. (It is not usually in the sun, just for the photo)

[fermi de Sousa]

Thanks, Brian,
not a plant I'd have a hope of growing here but I'm always interested in different plants particularly if you can propagate them in unusual ways,
cheers
fermi