At the end of winter, in open places, in parks and meadows, small bright flowers appear. These are primroses. They are also called primroses. In home floriculture, you can often find the primrose reversed, but there are varieties obtained from other species of this plant. Buying a flower for landscaping should be planned for spring. They begin to be sold in stores in early March. In the article you will find information about how to grow indoor primrose, as well as about the features of caring for it.

Care and growing primrose at home

Growing primroses at home implies the organization of the right conditions for their development. Among them:

• temperature condition;
• lighting;
• humidity.

In addition, it will also be necessary to observe the annual cycle of development of these plants: to feed, cut, propagate, care for young seedlings, prepare for wintering.

In order to ensure proper care, you need to understand how primrose grows in nature. Most primroses are herbaceous perennials. After a flowering period, they have a dormant period with a decrease in air temperature.

Important! Pay attention to the distribution area of ​​the species to which the primrose belongs. Some of them grow on wet marshy soils, while others grow on stony, dry soils. This is important when choosing the type of soil on which the flower will grow at home.

But in the room the temperature is almost at the same level and cannot provide it. Therefore, after the primrose fades, in autumn it must be taken out to an unheated, but glazed balcony or moved to the coolest place in the room.

Primrose can grow on soil with a low nutrient content. But the land must be evenly moistened. If propagation or growing in an elongated container is implied, then the distance between the individual plants should be left at about 15 cm so that they are evenly lit and blown with air.

Video: How to grow indoor primrose

Priming

Primrose in nature is found on sandy or gravel soils. But prefers well-drained substrates. Easily tolerates a lack of nutrients. In nurseries, it is grown in substrates composed of peat, vermiculite and quartz sand. In addition, plants will need to be fertilized regularly.

Did you know? The ancient Greeks called primrose the flower of 12 gods. They believed that this plant is a cure for all diseases.

In a pot with primrose, 2 layers must be made: drainage at the bottom and a layer of nutrient soil at the top. The drainage layer may consist of pebbles, coarse gravel, polystyrene, or other similar material. It takes about 1/3 of the capacity.

Compost and turf soil are mixed on top, mixed in equal proportions. You can also purchase a soil mixture for flowering plants in the store. The acidity of the resulting mixture should be neutral or slightly acidic.

Lighting

Primroses thrive in shady forests in the open. In early spring, before flowering, primrose is placed in a room where there is a lot of sunlight. They are considered "light" indoor plants and will feel good on the eastern windowsill.

Important! Lighting affects the duration of flowering. The more sun, the more flowers and the longer new flower stalks will appear.

Short periods of exposure with direct cool morning rays and indirect light during the rest of the day will contribute to good development and flowering.

With the onset of the dormant period, the flowers are cleaned away from the sun, in the coolest northern part of the room. The air temperature there should not exceed + 10 ° C to ensure a period of rest. If possible, transfer primrose to the penumbra after flowering.

Temperature

Primrose develops in the conditions of a long daylight: 16 hours of lighting and 8 hours of darkness. If daylight hours are insufficient, then the primrose will not bloom. In the natural environment, it forms leaves, if for 2 weeks the temperature is kept above + 10 ° C during the day.

Did you know? In ancient Germany, it was believed that if a young girl was the first to find a primrose on an Easter field, then this year she would certainly marry.

Therefore, the standard temperature ranges from + 18 ° C to + 22 ° C. Above + 24 ° C is permissible, but this period should not be long, as it will contribute to the withering of the primrose.

Humidity and watering

All plants need moisture. It transports nutrients. Lack of moisture leads to wilting, and excess - to rot. Primulas need the soil to be moist, but not wet. Therefore, they are watered if the moisture of the soil is not felt under the fingers.

Important! The container must have openings in the bottom to drain the water. If there is a saucer under the pot, then the water that drains into it is drained in order not to create conditions for the development of phytopathogens.

If the earthen lump began to dry more slowly than usual, at the same air temperature, this indicates a disease of primrose. Such a plant must be removed from the pot and examined the roots. If they are weak and darkened, then they need to be cut, processed healthy in a solution of potassium permanganate and transplanted into a new substrate.

With the onset of July-August, the frequency of watering increases due to the heat, and also because flower buds are laid at this time for the next year. In winter, the plant is watered much less often - about 1 time per month.

Fertilizers and fertilizing

Fertilize the primrose in early spring, and finish immediately after it fades. The rest of the time is considered a natural period of rest and at this time the flower is not disturbed.

It is advisable to use a balanced fertilizer in which nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are in equal percentage. For example, 10-10-10. As for the volume, only half is needed for the primrose from the dose recommended in the instructions on the package. The exception is two-tone varieties. For them, take the full dose. The frequency of application is 1 time in 3 weeks.

If you prefer organic compounds, then choose rotted bird droppings. It is diluted with 0.5 kg per 10 liters of water and poured under the plants. But the number of such top dressings per season should not exceed 2-3, since organics contain large doses of nutrients.

Primrose transplant and pot selection

The pot can be made of any materials: plastic, ceramics. The main thing is that it has drainage holes. The size depends on the size of the roots - the capacity should be 5-6 cm larger in diameter. The same goes for transplantation. The future pot is chosen according to the same system - 5-6 cm more than the previous one. If it was already in use, be sure to wash it with soap.

Important! For transplantation, you need fresh soil mixture and drainage. For drainage, pebbles or polystyrene are taken, and for soil - turf soil and compost in equal amounts.

Plan your transplant every 2 years. To understand whether it is time to do this - pay attention to how quickly the soil dries after watering. If she does this faster than usual, then the one that was in the pot is already fully mastered by the roots and it's time to transplant.

Transplant Instructions:

1. At the bottom of the new pot lay drainage. It should turn out about 1/3 of the volume.
2. A part of the soil mixture is placed on top.
3. A few hours before transplanting, the primrose is watered to make it easier to take out.
4. Then, tapping the body, you need to achieve separation of the root ball from the walls. But in a ceramic pot, this method does not work. Then the plant is separated by running the back of the knife along the side of the pot.
5. Now you need to fluff the roots around the edges a little and put the primrose in a new one.
6. To add soil.
7. Water the plant. Make sure the root collar is above the surface of the soil. If necessary, slightly compact the soil near the outlet.

Pest control

It would seem that indoor plants are not affected by pests. But this is not so. Insects get into the room along with wind, clothes and are transported by pets. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the appearance of pests in time and take measures. Otherwise, the plants begin to disappear.

Spider mite

The spider mite is a very small, rounded red insect. Its diameter does not exceed 1 mm. The fight against it is complicated by the fact that during the day the insect hides in the axils of the leaves and on their underside, and eats at night.

Tick ​​marks are many microscopic pinpoint lesions on a leaf plate. To combat it, use: “Fitoverm”, “Akarin”, “Thiophos”. Repeat the treatment after 5 days when a new generation of pests emerges from the eggs.

Aphid

Aphids are small black or brown insects that colonize on leaves or cuttings. They feed on the sap of the plant, damaging it. But pests are dangerous not only this. In the process of feeding, aphids secrete a sticky coating.

Spores of a sooty fungus descend from the air onto it, forming a black coating. The fungus is dangerous because it blocks the flow of sunlight to the leaves and this makes photosynthesis impossible. As a result, the leaves die off. For treatment, you can apply spraying with "Decis" or "Actara".

Caterpillars

Indoor flowers can be attacked by garden pests. If you brought flowers to the terrace, then there is a chance of colliding with them. A sign of the appearance of caterpillars is eating holes on the leaves.

In the daytime, a goose can hide under them. Carefully inspect the plant and collect visitors by hand. Also spray with Intavir if you suddenly missed someone.

Diseases and their solutions

Diseases bother indoor plants more often than pests. The spores of most fungi are well tolerated by air and rainwater. But they may not manifest themselves until suitable conditions arise.

Therefore, it is important to provide the plant with the right conditions for development:

• good lighting;
• a sufficient amount of free space around it;
• top dressing, as strong plants are able to cope with the disease on their own.

Did you know? For the first time, copper compounds were used to spray plants from parasite fungi in the 16th century. One of these drugs is still used. — this is Bordeaux fluid.

Rot

Rotting occurs due to excess moisture. And it is dangerous for small herbaceous plants. Primrose may encounter the following varieties of rot:

1. Root or stem. Rotting begins with the root neck, then the leaves turn yellow and wilt. If you remove the primrose from the soil, you can see the darkened roots with reddened areas on them. Such a plant cannot be cured and is thrown away.
2. Gray or botritis. Accompanied by gray watery spots on the leaves. Then the leaf turns brown and crumbles. Diseases contribute to damp and cool weather. In such a situation, all diseased parts of the plant are destroyed and sprayed with “Skor”, “Chistotsvetom”, “Fundazolom”, “Fitosporin” or “Gamair”.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew also affects primrose in wet weather. It manifests itself in the form of a whitish coating, similar to spots of flour.

They begin treatment by removing the affected parts of the plant and spraying it with Fundazol. 2 days after this, the soil is treated with Zircon in order to destroy the spores of the fungus that are in the soil and improve it.

Leaf spotting

Spotting, like rot, is a symptom that characterizes various diseases. Among them:

1. Ramular spotting - these are gray-brown spots around which the leaf plate begins to discolor to yellow. It is treated by spraying with Fitosporin, Alirin, or another drug.
2. Ovular spotting accompanied by a white coating. The spots themselves look at the same time as discolored to white areas. It is treated by spraying with Fitosporin and other copper-based fungicides.

Primrose breeding

Like all flowering primrose propagated by seeds, cuttings, division of the bush. In the natural environment, primrose propagates only by seed. And at home, from them you can grow seedlings. They begin planting in February so that the plant is in its natural biological cycle.

Important! If water from the city water supply is used for irrigation, then it must be defended in order to reduce the amount of chlorine ions. It is harmful to plants.

Although seeds can germinate at any time of the year, subject to conditions. By division, those copies of primrose, which are very large, are propagated. Cuttings are carried out in the summer, choosing healthy strong leaves on the mother plant. Used for plants that want to propagate, but for dividing the bush is still small.

Video: How to propagate primrose

Primrose bush division

The division is carried out in August after the primrose has faded. To do this, carefully inspect the bush. It should be voluminous, but with smaller leaves. Remove it from the pot. Inspect the roots, remove damaged ones.

Landing technology:

1. Gently divide the bush into 2 parts so that each has approximately the same number of growth points. Try to damage smaller roots.
2. Prepare 2 new pots. Each size should be 1.5 times the diameter of the root ball.
3. Lay a drainage layer on the bottom.
4. Top with a mixture of compost, peat and sand, taken in equal proportions.
5. Place the primrose on top.
6. Add earth.
7. Pour over water.

Seed propagation

Seeding is practiced in February. To do this, take the container. Pour soil mixture into it. It can be a mixture of turf land, compost, sand and vermiculite in equal parts.

Did you know? Young leaves of primrose can be consumed as a salad. And flowers are used in the confectionery industry to decorate cakes.

Landing Instructions:

1. Make sure there are openings in the landing container for water to drain.
2. Place a layer of fine gravel at the bottom.
3. Spread a mixture of soil on top.
4. Pour over water.
5. Place primrose seeds on top of it at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other.
6. Press them lightly against the soil.
7. Cover the container with foil and leave to germinate. This process will take 1-2 weeks.
8. Periodically monitor the condition of the soil. It must be wet.
9. When primrose appears 3-4 true leaves, they are dived into separate pots. This is necessary in order to help them form a developed root system.

Cuttings

This method is used when the plant has a weak root system and there are no seeds, but I would like to propagate this bush. For cuttings, choose a healthy leaf. If it is large, then the upper part is cut off.

Step-by-step landing instructions:

1. Peat is poured into the tank.
2. Wet it with water.
3. Plant a leaf.
4. Sprinkle the surface with quartz sand.
5. Cover the top of the container with polyethylene and install in a bright room, but so that direct sunlight does not fall on the plant. Air temperature should not be higher than + 15 ° С.
6. From time to time you need to check the condition of the soil and moisten it.

Rooting will take several weeks or a couple of months. Evidence that the primrose is rooted will be a new leaf outlet, which will begin to develop next to the planted leaf.

Primrose is not too picky. They grow well on any soil. Therefore, growing them indoors is not difficult. You just need to follow the simple rules for caring for them.