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Propagation & Planting
Primrose and Primula-sowing advice
Primroses and Primulas will not germinate if covered deeply. A very fine scattering of sand or fine grit with cool shady conditions will be most successful.eg A cold frame.IMPORTANT : never allow the germinating seed to dry out.
Alstroemerias
These extravagantly beautiful plants are claimed by some to exceed even orchids with their beauty.In spite of their exotic and delicate appearance, in a well-drained spot they are very hardy.They multiply up quite quickly each year,before drying safely away to deep underground rhizomes.Germination is slow, erratic and normally occurs between 5C and 10C. Seed before posting is stored at 4C. Sow immediately whenever seed is received.Germination may be encouraged by placing the damp seed tray at the bottom of the refrigerator.Watch the seeds carefully and give light once seedlings appear.
How to Sow Your Seeds
1. Do sow all seeds as soon as you receive them,unless otherwise advised on the packet.
2. Do use sterile compost. We recommend John Innes.This contains loam with natural food and stable PH.Soil - less compost can easily revert to acidic peat if over-watered.
3. Do use scrupiously clean pots and seed trays.Fungus is a major seedling enemy.
4. Do sow seed thinly and cover to about twice the depth of seed size with fine grit or coarse sand.
5. Do remember to prevent slugs and mice eating the seedlings.
Do protect new seedlings from frost or excessive heat.
6.Do sow cold germinating seeds in a cold frame or an unheated greenhouse.
7.Do be patient.Some seedlings appear in a few days whilst others may take months or even the following year.
8.Do store warm germinating seed in a fridge and sow in March in a heated greenhouse, propagator,or in a well lit spot on a window sill.
9.Do not overwater or let seed tray dry out.
10. Do not leave seedlings in a seed tray too long,they often stop growing.
Abbreviations Key
A-Annual
B-Biennial
Bb-Bulb
Cl-Climber
H-Hardy
HH-Half Hardy
P-Perennial
Sh-Shrub
T-Tree
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