PRIMROSE AND POLYANTHUS

Evening Star, Issue 23113, 12 November 1938, Page 23

PRIMROSE AND POLYANTHUS

TIME FOR DIVIDING The need for dividing polyanthus plants often escapes the grower until it is too late to do the job. Get to it at once, for it is while the plants are flowering that the roots are in the best condition for removal, and ihis ensures that the life of the plant will be strong and healthy (says the ‘ Dominion’s ’ gardening contributor). Remember that division gives a far better plant next spring than can ever be expected from old and perhaps starved plants. Besides, by dividing up old plants you can increase your stock three or fourfold.

Division is by no means a difficult matter, but it needs a little care. First of all, choose a piece of ground into which the young plantleta may be transferred. This should_ be in shade or semi-shade. Here, indeed, is a pleasant way of utilising those spots under trees which are often so difficult to fill.

Dig the ground well and break any lumps, working in some rotted manure, if possible, as the job proceeds. As soon as the ground is ready dig up the old plants and divide them. This job must not bo done hurriedly. Far better to take your time, doing a few plants each evening if you have no opportunity during the day. Dig the old clump up by lifting,it with a fork, but it is most essential to ease the clump right round before actually levering it up. The best method of division is to place the plant on a table or box and loosen the soil under it with the fingers until it is cpiite easy to see where to make the division. You will find that each side-shoot is a potential plant, but it must be divided in such a way that as much root adheres to the shoot as possible., If the fingers work among the soil so that these roots are loosened, it is quite easy to pull each side-shoot apart with its own quota of roots. This is really the important part of the job. The next thing is to get the divisions planted quickly, for the longer the roots are out of the ground the more likely are the youngsters to receive a cheek.

A rather important point must be observed when planting—namely the crown of the young plant must under no conditions be buried. Just keep it at soil-level.

If your old plants are, still small they may not need dividing, but don’t be afraid to lift them and give them a change of soil and position. Often they remain small simply because they are tired of their soil.

Blue primroses should be given a specially good piece of ground, and if a little leafmould or hop manure is dug in near the surface, _ so much the better. To mulch them with half an inch of leafmould when growth is active is a still greater help. Some people like big clumps of the yellow primroses, but feel they are in the way during summer. In such a case it is quite safe to lift the whole plant up bodily, and put it into some nice shady spot for the summer. If, however, you want to divide the clump, do so at once, treating it exactly as suggested for the polyanthuses.