Allium info please!
Is it worth collecting the little bulbs that have formed on the large allium heads? I'm tempted to collect them all and plant them just to see what happens, after all you can never have enough alliums right? But will it be worth the time and effort?
Many thanks for all advice.
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I'm so glad you posted this thread, I've just lifted some to plant elsewhere and have the same question.
Those are actually seed pods. They will split open in a while to reveal little black seed.
Sow the seed fresh. It germinates better straight from the plant rather than being dried off.
Cover lightly with grit, gravel or whatever rather than compost.
Sow in a deep pot rather than a seed tray (reasons later).
Leave exposed to weather. They need a period of cold followed by warmth to initiate germination.
When (if?) they germinate do not be in a hurry to p rick them out. This is the reason for deep pot rather than seed tray. They have only one root to begin with and if it is damaged, it dies and a new one has to be produced from the base of the seedling. usually they die.
Feed the seed pot with dilute Baby Bio type stuff, until the leaves go yellow then allow the pot to dry off.
Repotting may be done when they are dormant. Some types never really go dormant so be careful.
I often do not repot until they have had another seasons growth. Remember many of them actually grow in late winter/early spring.
Cannot think of anything else for the moment.
Not as hard as it seems. Takes about 2 to 3 years to reach flowering size. The bigger the Allium the longer it takes.
Thank you so much.
Last edited: 07 August 2017 15:28:52
That looks like a christophii seedhead. They seed profusely and if they like the soil will germinate but beware.....it can take 4-5 years before they are big enough to flower