Primula emerges from under the snow in April and blooms throughout May. I, like many, did not escape the fascination with this graceful primrose. However, I had to work hard and take into account the experience of professionals. Primrose seeds are small and, when sown in open ground, fall through or are washed off with water. My task was to master the cultivation of seedlings.
Seed storage
A feature of primrose is a love of coolness. If you have collected seeds and want to use them this spring, they will wait for sowing at room temperature. But then they lose their germination. In a clip bag or a closed jar placed in the refrigerator door, they remain viable for 3-4 years.
Start of sowing
February-March is the best time for planting. In summer, the plants will take root, and bloom the next year. Some sow seedlings in the fall, by the summer their primroses are already blooming. But early sowing is additional ultraviolet lighting. I prefer not to rush. March coincides with the biological term for the awakening of sprouts from winter suspended animation.
Seeding tanks
Any, purchased and homemade, will do. The main thing is drainage holes and the ability to cover and create a greenhouse.
Soil for seedlings
The soil should be loose, granular. The composition is neutral or slightly acidic. The best option is soil from the store. You can make the mixture yourself, but in this case, disinfect, check the pH and add agroperlite and vermiculite. And refrain from top dressing: an excess of nutrients is detrimental to sprouts.
Sowing
The containers are filled with soil and sprinkled with a thin layer of vermiculite: it will retain moisture and protect it from drying out (sometimes washed river sand is taken instead of vermiculite). Then shed until water comes out of the drainage holes. It is possible, in order not to disturb the top layer, to take a sprinkler. Seeds are poured onto a napkin and, gently shaking, sowing is carried out. If there are not enough of them, a toothpick dipped in water will help.
The finished crop is sprayed. Mold and fungus spores can overwinter on seed coats; so that they do not come to life, I add the fungicide "Maxim" to the water. Then I cover the seeded mini-greenhouse with a film or a transparent lid.
Important: germination temperature - 12-18 degrees. Remember that primrose - Snow Maiden, loves coolness.
Crop care
A bright, but protected from direct sunlight window sill is ideal for seedlings. In a mini-greenhouse, you need to maintain moderate humidity: sprinkle the lid itself, the surface of the soil, preventing erosion. Fine spray sprinklers and syringes without needles will come to the rescue.
After the emergence of seedlings, the containers are periodically ventilated and monitor the condition of the soil: mold is detrimental to sprouts. After the appearance of the first two leaves, you can remove the "top" of the greenhouse completely.
Important: if mold does appear, powder the soil with fine river sand.
picking
Primroses tolerate transplantation well, moreover, it stimulates their growth. Therefore, 2-3 picks are desirable for them:
- The first is in the stage of 2-3 leaves. A toothpick will again come to the rescue to create holes.
- The second - as they grow up, when the seedlings become cramped in a common container. At this stage, the soil mixture can be fed.
- The third is transplanting into separate pots or open ground.
Before the last stage, you need to be sure that there will be no more frosts on the soil: they will greatly slow down the engraftment of flowers.
At will
Over the summer, the seedlings will get stronger and then calmly winter under the snow, not needing any other shelter. Unless it doesn’t hurt to cover the flowers with a spruce branch to hold the snow.
I hope my tips are helpful to you.
Read also: Let's see if it is worth leaving a polycarbonate greenhouse open in winter or not.
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