Hi Norabelle-

I tried 2 types of primulas last year-- one was a primula japonica that I received from another gardenwebber and one was primula vulgaris from T&M.

For the p. vulgaris, I followed the directions on the back of the seed packet; the p. japonica, I WSed (but not until the end of March... because that is when I received them). The p. vulgaris did not germinate, but the p. japonica (that I winter sowed) germinated very well. I had way more plants than I expected and by the end of summer, some of them were 6-8" tall...I didn't get them planted out right away, so some of them stayed smallish.

I am going to try to start the p. vulgaris again this year, but this time I will winter sow them.

I sowed them all last year,none of them germinated.
I am sure i did something wrong, maybe started them to soon.
As i did do this with a lot of seeds last year, it was my second season,and i made a lot of mistakes,
Good luck with yours, it is a really pretty plant, and i did want them so badley,still learnig a lot.
I think there were others that had no problem a t all with them,
cAROL

In 2008, I wintersowed Primula japonica 'Miller's Crimson' on 1/16 & had germination on 4/7, primula japonica purple on 2/3 & had germination on 3/25, primula macrophylla violet-lilac on 2/3, but had no germination. The seeds were from NARGS and a local garden.

In 2009, I wintersowed primula denticulate 'blue selection' and primula capitata ssp. Mooreana from Hardyplants.com on 4/8 & had germination for both on 5/8. I had more than enough of each and am planning on trying to WS more primulas this year.

Good luck!

Thank you for all the responses. I am feeling more inspired and excited about my primula seeds.

cAROL, thank you for your help and candor. I wish us both good primula mojo this year. :)

I am just going to do my usual WS perennial routine with the primulas. Otherwise, I am going to psych myself out with all the additional steps, coverings, and pots I could use to germinate these wonderful flowers.

I am always grateful for the shared wisdom, enthusiasm, and experience of this forum!

cheers,
Norabelle

I did primula vialli last year. I winter sowed it early probably Jan something. It did really well and I have tons of little plants out there now. I can't wait to see how they do over this winter and if they bloom for me come spring. :)

I started 'You and me blue' early this last February and by Thanksgiving they still hadn't reached 2 inches other than that they looked healthy up until the snow started to fall. Hope they're big enough to make it through the winter, they might have been safer if I had just left them in the jug.