Common primula (Primula vulgaris), or common primrose, is an ornamental perennial plant that originates from the Primrose genus. In nature, this flower can be found in Europe, the northern region of Africa and Central Asia. The mention of the name is found in ancient written sources. The Greeks used parts of the plant for medicinal purposes and believed that the primrose belonged to the gods. With the arrival of spring warmth, it acts as the first primrose to open its buds.
According to the legends of an old Scandinavian legend, the goddess Freya used flowers as keys to let spring into the world. People in Germany believe that the plant helps girls get married. The tribes of the Celtic group added leaves and flowers during the preparation of the elixir of love. Danish tradition has it that the primrose was an elven princess who fell in love with an ordinary person. The gods decided to punish the princess for disobedience and turned the young boy into a fragrant flower. Healers who adhere to traditional medicine use its decoctions to relieve paralysis, so the flower has another name - paralytic herb. In European countries, garden primrose appeared at the beginning of the 16th century, and in England it gained particular popularity. Today, there are annually held flower exhibitions, where huge collections of primroses are presented. British people come from all over the country to visit and enjoy the amazing sight.
Primrose flower description
The plant flora of the Primroses genus includes many species that differ in color, structure and region of growth. The botanical literature mentions the names of 400-550 varietal specimens. However, scientists believe that flowers not mentioned in textbooks may be found in the wild. The main part of primroses is found in the countries of Central Asia, some species have taken root in Europe and North America. On the island of Java, only one representative of Primroses grows. Primrose prefers wet areas, such as areas near the coast or low-lying meadows.
The plant has a developed root system. The leaves look elongated, ovoid and protrude from the basal rosettes. Some of the leaf blades are covered with wrinkles. They are colored gray-green and have a dense structure. The surface appears to be coated with wax. Peduncles are erect, devoid of vegetation. The tops of the heads are crowned with inflorescences of various configurations that resemble protruding tubules. After the withering of the inflorescences, round polyspermous capsules are formed. In the garden plots, they are engaged in the cultivation of perennial and annual varieties. Primo flower is suitable for home cultivation in flowerpots.
Growing primrose from seeds
Sowing seeds
If the harvested seeds are stored in a box for a long time, they may lose their germination properties.Planting material can also be purchased at any garden store. Sowing is allowed to start in February. Seeds are carefully spread on the surface of the soil consisting of leafy soil, sand and turf in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. For each square centimeter of soil, place up to 5 seeds, without covering it with earth, and lightly press against the soil.
The seed containers are covered with a bag and sent to the freezer for a month to carry out stratification. Then they are transferred to window sills located in the shade, and the first leaves are expected to appear. From time to time crops are sprayed with water from a spray bottle. In order for the seeds to begin to germinate, it is necessary to maintain the air temperature in the room within 16-18 degrees. Almost all primroses stratify before planting. However, common primrose and fine-toothed primrose can skip this stage. The seedling formation process is quite long. Young seedlings are regularly ventilated to prepare and harden before planting. After 14 days, the bags are completely removed.
Seedling primrose
When 2-3 leaves are formed, the seedlings are dived into other containers using tweezers. Care and watering are carried out in the same way. If the seedlings are still growing strongly, they are thinned again. Seed cultivation has been carried out for several years before primrose is planted in open ground.
Planting primrose in open ground
Late spring or autumn is considered a favorable time for these events. The area where the flower will grow should be located near the trees in order to exclude the possibility of the bright midday sun getting on the leaves. We are not talking about those primroses that are found in the north. Such plants can be planted not only in the shade. Garden primrose prefers a moist and loose substrate with good drainage properties. Clay-rich soil will also work. If the soil is too heavy and dense, sand, vermiculite, chopped moss and organic fertilizers are added to the site during digging.
Between small seedlings, a distance of at least 10 cm must be observed, and larger ones must be planted away from each other. The flower does not develop well in open areas, so it is better to stick to compact plantings. Flowering can be observed after 2-3 years.
Primrose care in the garden
Watering
Caring for a garden primrose is quite simple. It is important to always maintain a moist environment and loosen the soil after watering or rain, removing weeds. During dry periods, watering is carried out more often. As a rule, about 3 liters of water is consumed for every square meter.
Top dressing and fertilizers
In addition to watering, primrose bushes need regular feeding with mineral fertilizers. The solution is prepared in low concentration so as not to burn the roots. Top dressing is carried out every week after the first leaves appear. You should be careful with nitrogen fertilizers, otherwise it is easy to provoke a riot of foliage instead of the long-awaited flowering. Therefore, it is worth making a variety of top dressing, including enriching the soil with phosphorus and potash fertilizers.
Transfer
Adult bushes are transplanted every 4-5 years. Planting primrose grows over time. For this reason, these primroses are also transplanted to a new site.
Garden primrose after flowering
When the plant sheds flower stalks, the area where the bushes are located is loosened and weeds are removed, being careful not to damage the leaf outlet. It protects the stems from freezing. You should not completely cut off the leaves, otherwise the plant will weaken and lose its decorative appeal. With the arrival of spring, the bushes rejuvenate, removing old and dry vegetation.
In regions where severe winters prevail, it is necessary to cover the bushes with straw or spruce branches. The Julia variety is the most frost-resistant and does without additional shelter. In the south, the flower winters beautifully under a warm cap of snow.Ice crusts that form on the site in spring are dangerous for shoots.
Reproduction of primrose
Primrose is propagated not only with the help of seeds, but also using cuttings of leaves and dividing the bush. When the plant reaches 4 years of age, it is watered and then carefully removed from the soil. The earth is shaken off, and the roots are washed under water. The rhizome, together with the shoots, is cut into several parts. Places of cuts are treated with ash. The resulting cuttings are transferred to another place and watered to strengthen them. Thanks to division, the leaves and stems are rejuvenated.
When the root system of the bushes is poorly developed, reproduction is performed using axillary shoots. To do this, separate the leaf, keeping the bud on the stem, and place it in slightly moistened soil. First, the leaf blade must be cut in half. The cuttings are stored in a lighted place at a temperature of 16 to 18 degrees in moist soil. After green shoots begin to appear from the buds, they are transplanted into flowerpots. The next year, mature and grown shoots can be transferred to open ground.
Diseases and pests
Often, the plant is under the threat of infection with rot, which covers the root collar and the surface of the stems. In addition, primrose leaves get sick with jaundice, powdery mildew and other dangerous infections. The signs of most diseases are changes in the color and shape of the leaves. Diseased shoots should be removed immediately to prevent the spread of the virus.
Vegetative parts of primrose attract the following insects: spider mites, weevils, aphids. The leaves are eaten by slugs and beetles. To combat the disease, chemical treatment of the bushes with Topsin's or Fundazol's solution is used. Spraying the leaves with one percent Bordeaux liquid is allowed. Such events are best done in the spring. For the purpose of prevention, at the end of the season, the flower is treated with a weak solution of Nitrafen. To get rid of bugs and slugs, you will have to work hard to collect them yourself, placing traps on the site.
Types and varieties of primrose
There is a huge variety of domesticated species and varieties of primroses. Let's consider the most common:
Common primrose - found in areas of Central and Southern Europe, where flowers bloom in the highlands after the snow melts. The species has thick roots and lanceolate leaves. The pale yellow and white flowers are arranged singly. Despite the short stems, the bushes look very impressive during the flowering period, which begins in March. Common primroses include Virginia, Giga White and Cerulea.
Primrose high - prefers climatic latitudes of Central and Southern Europe. The leaf blades are slightly wrinkled and elongated with protruding veins. Yellow buds are no more than 2 cm in diameter. April bloom. Breeders have managed to breed many hybrids from this species.
In addition to the varieties described, Siebold primrose and spring primrose can also be distinguished.
