Caring and Propagation Methods for Primrose
About the content of primrose care in home gardening, here are the detailed methods for caring and propagating primroses.
Also known as四季樱草 (Four-season Primrose), 球头樱草 (Ball-head Primrose), and 仙鹤莲 (Crane莲花), primroses are biennial or perennial herbaceous flowers. In early spring, several flower stems emerge from the leaf clusters, reaching up to 20 centimeters in height, resembling an unfolded umbrella, blooming layer by layer from bottom to top. The corolla is small, with single or double petals. Flower colors include white, pink, deep red, blue, purple, etc., and are bright and eye-catching.
Primroses prefer warm conditions and are slightly cold-tolerant. The suitable growing temperature is around 15°C. If the room temperature is maintained at 10°C during winter, they can bloom from February of the following year. Good ventilation is necessary and they can survive winters above 0°C; the summer temperature should not exceed 30°C, and they are sensitive to direct sunlight, so shading and cooling measures are necessary. Deadheading is recommended. During blooming, to extend the viewing period, temperature and light should not be too high. After flowering, to ensure continuous blooming, deadheading and stem removal, along with additional fertilization, are required to promote regrowth and flowering. During the growing period, the potting soil should be kept moist but not too dry or too wet, and a nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer should be applied every 10 days, with 2-3 applications of a phosphorus-rich liquid fertilizer during the bud formation stage. Fertilization should be reduced during full bloom and stopped after flowering. Before fertilizing, stop watering to let the potting soil become slightly dry to aid in nutrient absorption. Avoid getting fertilizer on the leaves and spray water after fertilizing. Temperature and light.
Primrose seeds are harvested when the fruit starts to turn yellow, dried in the shade, and avoid direct sunlight. After drying, remove the fruit shell and store the seeds. Primroses are commonly propagated by sowing seeds. The germination rate is 40%, and seeds from the previous year rarely germinate. The seeds are tiny and not easy to collect. From south to north in China, when the primroses in the pots are blooming from March to May, loosen the potting soil to allow the seeds to fall into the pot naturally. If the original pot is small, seeds can be collected and sown. The seeds can be sown in a large pot used as a seedbed. Soak the potting soil thoroughly using the immersion method, cover with glass, slightly shade, and the suitable germination temperature is 15°C to 20°C, and seedlings will emerge in 5 to 6 days. Remove the glass after germination to prevent tall seedlings. Thin the seedlings after half a month. In summer, provide shading, ventilation, and maintain moderate dryness. By early September, when the seedlings have developed true leaves, transplant them into individual pots. Alternatively, sowing can be done from August to September, which is more convenient but results in smaller plants.
Some double-petaled varieties of primroses often do not produce seeds, so propagation is done by cutting or dividing the plants. Cuttings are done from May to June, and division is best done in autumn. After the seedlings have grown and survived in the pots, gradually expose them to sunlight and apply a light fertilizer. Move the pots to a sunny indoor location in late October. From November onwards, flowers will start to bloom. Primroses can tolerate low temperatures and can survive at 0°C. Maintaining a room temperature of 5°C to 10°C with good ventilation will result in lush growth and abundant flowers. Flower stems start to grow around New Year's Day, bloom begins, and the plants enter full bloom during the Spring Festival. After flowering, cut off the spent flower stems to encourage new ones and continue blooming. When flowering ends and the weather gets warmer, move the plants to a shaded and well-ventilated area, keep the soil moist but not too dry. After a semi-dormant period, repot in September to October, and they can bloom again in winter. If kept at 10°C to 12°C in summer, they can also bloom as usual. The key points for caring for primroses are: after the seedlings emerge and grow to 5 true leaves, transplant them into small pots with a diameter of 10 centimeters, applying a small amount of bone meal or decomposed cake fertilizer at the bottom of the pot. When the seedlings reach a certain height, transplant them into pots with a diameter of 16 centimeters. Use a potting mix of 7 parts deciduous soil and 3 parts garden soil, with a small amount of base fertilizer. When first transplanted, provide some shading, and after about 10 to 15 days, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer combining nitrogen and phosphorus or a compound fertilizer. During the growing period, water when the soil feels dry to the touch, avoiding waterlogging in the pot. After flowering, remove the spent flowers and apply 1 to 2 thin fertilizers to promote the growth of new flower branches for continuous blooming. Primrose seedlings are weak and prone to damping off, leading to rot and death, so early prevention and control are necessary. To care for primroses and ensure continuous blooming, pay attention to: transplanting and repotting. When the seedlings have grown 2 to 3 true leaves, first transplant them into small pots, and after about a month, repot them into medium-sized pots. Fertilizing and watering.
Do you understand the detailed introduction of the care and propagation methods for primroses provided above?