Ashwood Nurseries

In the Garden

In the garden, provide ‘alpine’ and ‘double’ auricula plants with moist soil, rich in humus. Choose a well-drained, sheltered site where there is a little dappled shade, or plant them in a low patio pot or alpine trough which can be moved to a shady spot in the summer months.

In the Greenhouse

The greenhouse should be unheated and very well ventilated at all times. It should also be kept shaded from late March until September. Traditionally auriculas are grown in ‘long toms’( a long narrow terracotta pot) but normal clay pots or plastic pots are also suitable. We use John Innes Potting Compost No.2 with added perlite and leaf mould. Water carefully in autumn and winter, more freely in spring. Regular attention must be given to removing withered leaves and re-potting when necessary.

Seed Sowing

Store seed in a cool place. Sow thinly at any time between November to early February. Use moistened, multi-purpose, peat-based compost. Do not cover the seed, but cover pans with an upturned seed tray or pot to prevent drying out. When seed begins to germinate, cover very thinly with vermiculite to retain moisture and to encourage the seedlings to establish. Keep moist at all times, but avoid frequent light waterings. Stand in a cold greenhouse or cold-frame.

When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick out into seed trays using a potting compost made up of 2 parts (by bulk) of John Innes No2, 1 part of grit and 1 part of either peat or shredded leaf mould. Place in a shaded cold greenhouse or cold-frame to grow on. Always ventilate freely. When the leaves touch, pot into 9cm (3.5ins.) pots and grow on to flowering using the same compost mix.

From a January sowing, a few plants will be in flower by the autumn. The main flowering period for auriculas under cold glass is March or April of the following year. Fresh seed is available from September onwards for those who like to make an early start. Small seedlings can be a tricky to over-winter, but some superb plants can be raised using this method and more autumn flowers can be expected.