Sowing & Growing

Primula seeds require a cold period to break their dormancy before germination, and they can be sown either indoors or outdoors.

Indoors, sow the seeds very thinly on the surface of a well-draining, damp seed compost at any time of the year. Gently press the seeds into the soil without covering them. Seal the container inside a polythene bag and place it in the fridge at 2-5°C for 3 weeks. After this cold stratification period, remove the container from the fridge and either transfer to a propagator or maintain at approximately 15°C. Germination may take around 6 weeks or possibly longer, and it can be somewhat erratic, emphasizing the importance of sowing the seeds thinly. Regularly check the container to ensure the compost does not dry out.

For outdoors, sow as described above in late summer to early winter. Place the container outdoors in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse, or in a sheltered garden spot where it won’t be disturbed. Germination will occur as the temperature rises in early spring. Direct outdoor sowing is also possible in the flowering position, but it’s advisable to protect the area with netting to prevent disturbance by wildlife.

Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, delicately remove them from the container and pot them up individually into 7.5cm pots. Continue to grow them in cooler conditions with good, natural light, avoiding direct sunlight. In spring, gradually acclimatize the plants to outdoor conditions before planting them out in their final position.