With the recent spell of mild weather, the seed pots are producing greenery at an unusually fast pace. So fast in fact that I have to check them at least twice a day, and move those that have germinated into a position where they will receive the maximum amount of light. The seed of the South African bulbs that were sown in January and placed in the north facing cold frame have now been put into a propagator with bottom heat and responded within 48 hours. Moraea, Saxicola, Setacea, and Stricta were first to emerge followed by laperiousa Jacquinii. Then it was the turn of the Geissorhiza Aspera and Synnotia Variegata. The Galtonias that did not germinate last year have made an appearance, and as if to try and compensate in some way for not appearing before now has filled the pot with greenery with what looks likes 100% germination.
I don't normally use a propagator for my seeds but as the South African Species should have been sown in the autumn, I thought a little help at this late stage would not go astray.
As soon as they germinate I move them into an other propagator and slowly reduce the temperature until they get used to the cooler conditions, Then they will be put out in the cold frame, where hopefully I will be able to grow them on all summer without them taking the usual summer rest.
This method of keeping seedlings cool and growing them through their usual resting season works with cyclamen, so I don't see any reason why it will not work with the South African bulbs.
In the cold frame the Fritillaria seed has germinated and is growing apace. This is seed that was sown last spring but was too late, and decided it was not worth the effort for such a short growing spell, and subsequently waited until this spring to take advantage of a full growing season. They came up just after Christmas as the days started to lengthen a little, obviously triggered by the extra daylight. Although it is hardly noticeable to us, the plants seem to notice the slightest change in daylight.
This group contains Fritillaria Pudica, Persica, Pyrenaica, Acmopetala, Pallidiflora, and Pontica.
The alpine house is ablaze with colour now as all the Allionii Primulas, with one or two exceptions are in bloom. Primula x Joan Hughes must be one of the best Allionii Hybrids as it never fails to smother a ten inch pot with flowers, completely covering the foliage. If I had to pick a favourite Primula from my collection of over one hundred and forty, I think that Joan Hughes would win hands down, closely followed by P. Allionii Marion.
