Height:

5.0-8.0 Inches

Spread:

10.0-12.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8

Flower Color:

Red shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Consistent Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Spring Mid Spring Late Spring

Attracts Wings:

Bee Friendly

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Patio Container Cottage Eclectic Woodland Shade

Other Features:

Bog Plant Border Plant Container Cut Flower

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Primroses will produce dazzling flowers each spring if they are well-maintained. Ideally, they should be planted in boggy areas, perhaps near bodies of water, where their shallow roots will not dry out. Plants will go dormant in hot, dry summer weather unless they are kept well-watered. Though they are fully hardy in the North, primroses need protective insulation such as snow cover in the late winter months so they are not lost to late hard freezes.

Growing Temperature:

Rooting temps 65-72° F

Holding Temperature:

35-40° F

Soil PH:

5.8-6.2

EC (What is EC?):

Lower than 4.0 using the pour through method

Fertility:

BELARINA® Primulas are light feeders. Feed them 75-100 ppm Nitrogen in a constant liquid feed. They can be sensitive to salts, so be sure to avoid salt levels greater than 4.0 using the pour through method.

Vernalization:

Once plants are finished they must be kept below 35° F to keep them from flowering. If introduced to warmer temperatures they will begin to form new growth and flower buds.

Pests & Diseases:

A few pests such as aphids, thrip, spider mites, and slugs can occasionally affect a crop of Primulas. Scout regularly for these pests and treat as needed. Also watch for botrytis and powdery mildew, both of which can be avoided by watering in the morning, keeping humidity levels low, and maintaining good airflow throughout the greenhouse during production.

Potting & Timing:

Start BELARINA® Primulas from a 72ct plug, potting them up in early to mid-fall using 1 plug per quart or 4 inch pot or 5 plugs per 12 inch bowl.
Use a well-drained growing media that also has good water holding properties such as a peat/bark/perlite mix with a pH of 5.8-6.2. Plants should take 7-9 weeks to root out and bulk up in their containers before going winter dormant. It is best to grow Primulas entirely indoors to be able to control the growing environment.  

Moisture:

For potting soil use a well-drained growing media that also has good water holding properties.
It is important to keep BELARINA® Primulas moist throughout the growing process. Moderate to moist soil is best. Be sure to irrigate in the morning to allow the dense, rugose foliage to dry by evening. Keep humidity levels low with good airflow through the greenhouse to prevent disease.

Planting Level:

Top of plug level with soil line.

PGRs/Pinching:

PGRs not needed due to compact size.

Lighting:

BELARINA® Primulas initiate flowering under short days (8-10 hours). It is best to bulk plants up in early fall while it is still warm enough for the roots and foliage to fill out the containers fully. No supplemental lighting or shade is needed.

Other Comments:

Spacing is very important when growing a crop of BELARINA® Primulas. Provide ample space between each pot to prevent the loss of the lower leaves on each rosette. Do not trim the foliage back before plants flower. They will not re-flush new foliage until they are finished flowering because they are semi-evergreen. The flowering period of Belarina® Primulas is about two months under normal cool spring conditions.

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