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Auriculas

wakeshinewakeshine Posts: 967
in Plants

Hi there, has anyone ever grown auriculas? I bought three small ones from a wildlife garden centre that grows everything on site. They seem like unusual plants and I love primulas and polyanthas. I put them into the flower bed but they don't look too well now - going a bit yellow. Should I have left them in the pots? Kept them indoors maybe? There was no information with the plants and no one to ask. I presume they are supposed to flower next year? Shall I take them out of the ground and put them back into pots?

All the info I can find on auriculas is stuff about auricula theatres or something. I don't really understand what that's all about as I'm not going to build or make a theatre for them lol.

 

Posts

  • Alina WAlina W Posts: 1,445

    I'm no expert, but they need well-drained, sunny conditions. Unless your soil is very well drained, try growing them in a raised area such as the edge of a rockery. I can only keep mine going in a wall basket image

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,908

    YES, THEY NEED PROTECTION FROM RAIN OR THEY ROT. HENCE THE "THEATRE" IDEA.

    http://www.auriculaandprimula.org.uk/history.html

    GET YOURSELF A COPPER KETTLE!image

    Last edited: 02 August 2016 21:56:38

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • wakeshinewakeshine Posts: 967

    Gosh they really were made a fuss out of weren't they?! Must be something special. I like the idea of passing them round a table and drinking ale in their honour lol! I might do that if they ever flower. Thanks Pansyface. 

    At the moment they're soaking wet due to nonstop rain, in the flower bed. I don't have anymore space on the edge of the rockery unfortunately Alina :-( I will remove them from the ground as soon as I can and pot them back up. 

    Last edited: 02 August 2016 22:34:33

  • Alina WAlina W Posts: 1,445

    Good luck, wakeshine - they are a bit of a challenge to keep happy.

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,170

    I think it depends upon which type they are. There are Border types and Alpine types, the alpine ones are the ones that need most  protection. In both cases they need well drained soil but obviously the Alpine ones need very sharp drainage and benefit from protection. Those without an alpine house (most of us) are where the idea of the theatre came in as well as for display. I have mine in pots  on a basic open metal rack but against the greenhouse side so they have some shelter. I find them quite hardy.

    Hope this helps.

    AB Still learning

  • wakeshinewakeshine Posts: 967

    Thanks Iain R. Unfortunately I don't even know what type they are...as the label just said auricular. I presumed they were alpine. Thanks for the advice...

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