Mix

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Primulaceae

Order

Ericales

Genus

Primrose

Species

malacoides

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant cultivated as an annual that creates rosettes of petiolate leaves from which stalks rise bearing flowers at the top in elegant inflorescences of different shades and colour gradations depending on the variety. With its compact growth it is suitable both for creating uniform clusters as well as in compositions with other flowering species.

Variety description

Primula malacoides is an autumn-winter growing species with a cycle similar to primula obconica, but with lower energy requirements, close to primula acaulis. The leaves are petiolate, with light green toothed margins and almost white veins. It has very abundant flowering, from January to March in the greenhouse, continuing on the balcony until April beginning of May. The flowers are borne at the top of 12 to 20 cm long flower stalks. They gather in inflorescences varying in colour from white to pink in different shades, but also red.

Curiosities and special features

The botanical name Primula is diminutive of prímus meaning first in reference to the early flowering, while the specific epithet, malacoides, derives from the Greek malacós meaning soft and from eídos meaning appearance in relation to the plant's soft appearance.

Origin and distribution

Native species from a range extending from the Himalayas to China and northern Myanmar. Hybridization activity in recent decades has led to a range of varieties with inflorescences of different colour shades.

Flower size

The flower individually is medium in size.

Leaf

The leaves, grouped in basal rosettes, have a rounded lamina with prominent veins.

Flowering period

from early winter to early spring for a duration of 30 to 50 days, making your outdoor spaces colourful and cosy even during the coldest periods while other ornamentals are in dormant. Flowering on the balcony can last a long time, even two and a half months; much less, up to one month, indoors as long as it is in a very bright position and in a frequently ventilated room.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbel bearing several flowers.

Leaf colour

solid colour, in perfect colour harmony with the shade of the flowers.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.22 m, ideal both in purity creating homogeneous groups as well as in compositions with other ornamental herbaceous plants, even of different development.

Lifespan

Cultivated mainly as an annual.

Where to plant

The elegance of the inflorescences and the size achieved make it suitable as a balcony herbaceous plant for pots.

Stem

Herbaceous type plant; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form with a gamopetalous corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in large umbel inflorescences. It flowers from early winter to early spring, with a flowering period of between 30 and 50 days. It is mildly scented, with a delicate aroma. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

A variety with compact growth, perfect for creating proportionate and uniform overall results.

Plant habit

It develops a globular habitus, making it also suitable for mixed compositions with other ornamental species.

PH

Ensure a slightly acidic pH of the substrate, with optimum values between 5.5 and 6.3. Too low a pH (less than 4.5) causes molybdenum deficiency, while too high a pH (greater than 6.5) causes widespread foliar chlorosis due to microelement deficiency, especially iron.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure to a light source indoors, half-shade, shade. Position it in the sun in winter and in half-shade or shade in spring.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 11 and 20 °CThevital temperature is between 1 and 30 °C. Adult plants on the windowsill can tolerate temperatures close to 2/3 °C, provided the soil is free of waterlogging and relatively dry.

Use

Its luxuriant and prolonged flowering gives Primula malacoides an important role in:

External ornamental environment Indoor ornamental environment

Hardiness

Variety of medium hardiness.

Soil

Use a high-quality substrate for spring plants, containing peat and perlite.

Difficulty

The fairly easy cultivation results in an overall low level of management effort, adding further value to the variety.

Growing tips

Here are some specific cultivation measures for proper vegetative growth and a lush flowering:

Balanced fertilisation Keep the substrate moist at all times

Combinations with other plants

Also suitable for mixed compositions with other ornamentals such as Sutera diffusa and Viola cornuta .

Planting

Carefully take the seedling out of the container without damaging the roots, place it with the collar off the surface of the potting soil.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively non-cold aqueduct water. When planting, prevent the lump from drying out. Keep the substrate moist but free from waterlogging, which can lead to root asphyxia. It is advisable not to water the aerial part during the afternoon/evening but to water the substrate directly or by giving water in a saucer. Prevent over-watering and dry spells: the former can lead to root rot while the latter can cause permanent necrotic leaf edges on the foliage.

Fertilising

Apply a balanced fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants to the moist substrate, to be distributed liquid, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water. Fertilise moderately every 15 days with a predominantly potassium-based stock considering that Primula malcoides is sensitive to over-fertilisation, especially in conjunction with water stress.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible

Tip

Fertilise the plants moderately every 15 days with a predominantly potassic title. As with all primroses, to darken the leaves, fertigate the pot with Iron EDDHA. It is preferable to water the plants by giving water in a saucer.