You can do this at any time while the plant is actively growing, but it is probably best to take offsets after flowering, while repotting. The only way to reproduce an auricula true to its parent is by taking offsets from that parent. Web Open Every Saturday from March to October, 10am-4pm. Most years Woottens also holds an Auricula Open Day in late April.Īddress Woottens of Wenhaston, The Iris Field, Hall Road, Wenhaston, Suffolk IP19 9HF. You can order as soon as the list is published, for dispatch in March, but be quick, as this early release attracts lots of collectors and enthusiasts – last year’s list sold out within a week. If you are tempted to start your own auricula collection, look out for Woottens’ availability list, which is usually published on its website in February. Primula auricula ‘Cuckoo Fair’ © Richard Bloom Where to buy auriculas Ideally, they should be in a shady east-facing site, with protection from wet in winter. Woottens use a compost that is 50 per cent peat substitute, 25 per cent grit or perlite and 25 per cent loam, such as John Innes, with some added slow-release fertiliser.Īuriculas grow in the crevices of rocks, so they do not like being overpotted. The plants get a root feed high in phosphorous and very low in nitrogen in early February, and a potassium feed to encourage flowers a fortnight later and then every two weeks. When root aphids strike, it involves removing all the compost and then washing the roots with horticultural soap. Happy in most good garden soil in light shade. Many growers divide their plants after flowering, but life on the nursery is too busy, so their plants are usually divided in July to August. Primula auricula Yellow flowers up to 20cm (8in) from April to May and growing 25cm (10in) wide. Gillian says these picky alpines hate being too wet, but they also don’t like being too dry in summer, because root aphids thrive in dry conditions. Root aphids have recently been a nuisance to growers of auriculas, so I wanted to learn how they manage their plants.

Auricula primula