But, tender blossom, why so pale?
Dost hear stern Winter in the gale?
And didst thou tempt the ungentle sky
To catch one vernal glance and die?
– Excerpt from The Primrose by Samuel Coleridge
I love primroses.
Apparently, primroses love coffee.
After a four months at home and on a water diet, my once-brilliant primroses were producing pale blossoms.
(Wouldn’t it be nice if plants came with owner’s manuals and trouble-shooting guides? If I ever start a gardening company, I’m going to include said manual, complete with the history of the species. For edibles, this guide will also include health benefits, food pairing ideas and a recipe or two.)
With research, I learned that primroses like slightly alkaline soil.
Three weeks ago, I started hydrating them with cold leftover coffee.
With each new bloom, since being fed coffee, the intensity of color has increased with each bloom. Today’s bloom – the one on the far right – is the same vibrant red as when I originally purchased the plant.
Even for acid-loving plants, however, too much acidity can be harmful.
According to The Garden Helper, primroses thrive in soil with a pH of 6.5. My soil pH meter is packed somewhere in a box in our garage. If I find it, I’m definitely going to take a reading of the soil in my primrose pots.
Happy plant, happy Sarah.
Here are some of my favorite gardening links :