Primula vialii seeds – (Miracle, Orchid primrose)

Description

Picture thanks to Jelitto seeds

This plant has deep violet red-pink flowers arising from the initial red buds , which resemble hot pokers, or candles, and is unusual in the primulaceae family. It likes boggy soil and performs well in a marsh type garden, and will do well in the full sun, where temperatures are cool, but should be given partial to full shade and damp soil where the temperatures are warm. It makes a very good cut flower. As a bonus rabbits will not eat them, and it will do well in your garden as an understorey plant if the soil is damp most of the time, and humus rich. It flowers in its first year from seed.

Sowing advice

Sow the seeds in late winter or spring on the surface of moist seed raising mix in pots or trays.  Don’t cover, as light is required for germination. Keep moist by using a mister or watering from the base of the pt to avoid driving the seed under the soil. Keep at about 20 degC.  Germination should occur in 3-6 weeks. If they don’t germinate in this time seal the pot in a plastic bag , and put into the fridge for 4 weeks. Bring them out to about 15 deg C for germination after this.