The primrose belongs to the primrose family and grows in many parts of the world. It is most common in central Europe and tolerates the temperate climate of North America. There are over 500 popular varieties. The primrose varieties pictured here differ in flower color and leaf shape. The primrose is one of the first to bloom in late winter, with a flowering period lasting up to two months.
Characteristics of the flower
Primrose, or primrose, has a branched rosette of leaves, centered on flowers in shades of red, pink, burgundy, blue, and purple. The heart-shaped leaves have pointed edges and are covered with fine hairs. The flowers are gathered in inflorescences.
There are many varieties of this ornamental flowering plant. Among the main ones are:
- malvo-lodge (leaves are petiolate, elongated, located next to each other, the rosette is dense, elastic);
- Chinese (flowers are lush and large, larger than the leaves, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences; exude aroma);
- Kyusskaya (leaves covered with a whitish coating, flowers are yellow, fragrant);
- Primrose acaulis (also known as the common primrose). In the wild, it can be found in the Caucasus and Crimea. Flowers are yellow, white, red, white, and purple. Leaves are oval and wrinkled);
- Obconica (leaves with a rough surface covered with fine hairs. They are heart-shaped, with umbrella-shaped inflorescences located on tall stalks; the colors are purple, white, and yellow);
- Primula danovii (grows up to 14 cm in height. Flower stalks are single, low, not rising high above the rosette of leaves).
Primrose obconica is dangerous to health. It can trigger or exacerbate allergies. This is due to the presence of an alkaloid in the plant cells (in the hairs of the leaves) of the flower.
Features of planting and care at home
If It's good to take good care of the house primrose, it can bloom for a long time—from early spring until fall. To ensure the plant looks good and continues to delight its owners with blooms, it requires constant care. Provide it with optimal temperature and light, water it moderately, and fertilize it periodically.
Temperature and lighting
The optimal temperature in the room where the primrose is growing should be at least 12–15°C. The primrose grows and blooms well at 16–20°C. After flowering, at the end of summer, the plant is moved to a cool location (it can be planted in a shaded area in the garden). At the onset of winter, it is moved back to a warmer location.
This houseplant doesn't like direct sunlight. Scorching sun can cause leaf burn. It's best to keep the primrose in partial shade with filtered light.
Humidity and watering
The plant isn't picky about humidity, but it doesn't like dry air (the edges will begin to dry out and may die). To increase humidity, the leaves should be periodically misted with a spray bottle. For misting and watering, use soft water, such as melted snow or rainwater, that has been left to stand for several days.
During flowering, primroses should be watered generously, but avoid overwatering. Excessive soil moisture can lead to root rot. After flowering, water sparingly (the soil should dry out to indicate the need for water). A consistently moist soil ball indicates sufficient moisture.
Selecting soil and fertilizing plants
For planting primroses, you can use ready-made soil. It's available in specialty stores. It already contains all the ingredients necessary for normal growth and future flowering. If desired, you can prepare your own soil mixture. To do this, mix equal parts peat, leaf mold, and sand. For planting primroses, add turf to the mixture.
Primroses are fertilized only during the budding and flowering periods. Fertilizer should not be applied until the flower has bloomed. This will encourage active foliage growth and delay the formation and opening of buds. Complex mineral fertilizers are used. Fertilize the plant once every 14 days to complete flowering.
Diseases and pests
The most common pests and diseases of primroses are spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew. The plant can become infected if it was planted in a garden plot. Signs of fungal infestation include:
- drying of leaves;
- the appearance of dark brown or yellow spots on the surface;
- buds fall off (or fail to open);
- lack of flowering;
- presence of pests on leaves and stems.
If the plant shows signs of disease, special treatments should be used. Insecticides should be used if harmful insects are present. At the initial stage of infestation, folk remedies can be used, such as spraying the foliage with a soapy solution.
Methods of growing, propagation and transplantation
Primrose is propagated by seeds. or by dividing the mother plant. Seeds are sown in June-July at a temperature of 15-18°C. For sowing:
- Prepare small pots (it's best to use separate containers to avoid having to replant the seedlings after germination). Fill them with slightly moistened soil. Be sure to place drainage at the bottom (to ensure airflow to the roots and prevent water stagnation).
- sow primrose seeds and cover them with a thin layer of soil (no more than 2 cm);
- Place glass on top (you can use thin transparent film) and put it in a dark place.
Once seedlings emerge (the seeds germinate two weeks after sowing), the cups are moved to a well-lit area and the covering is removed. Water the young plants as the soil dries out.
Garden primroses are propagated by dividing the bush. To do this:
- In the spring, side shoots are separated from the mother bush, planted in a box or bucket with sand, covered with a glass jar or plastic;
- When the plants have roots, they are planted in new areas.
Plants are repotted after they have finished flowering. Garden varieties are planted outdoors in shaded areas. Indoor primroses are divided into daughter rosettes and repotted in new pots.
Rules for forcing
Primroses are forced from two-year-old plants. Older plants can be divided and replanted. Before the onset of winter frosts, the primroses are dug up (replanted into pots or stored in wooden boxes). They are stored in basements or dry, darkened rooms at a temperature of 6–8°C. In mid- to late winter, the plants are brought into the light and watered moderately.
The room temperature where the flowering plant is kept should not exceed 18°C. Once flowering is complete, primroses can be planted outdoors. Forcing can be repeated after 2–3 years.
Blooming primroses are a true home decoration. The foliage contains many beneficial microelements and is also used in soups and salads. Keep pots out of reach of children, as flowering plants can trigger allergies.
How to preserve primroses before planting