Decorative Alliums from seed

16 years ago

Hi,

I am hoping some of you experienced gardeners out there can answer my question. There only seems to be people knowledgable about edible alliums on the allium forum. There are getting to be questions there about decorative ones but no answers.

I bought some allium seed from Gardens North last spring. 2 kinds germinated - Allium Christophi and Allium Atro Purpureum. I am still wating for the third kind. I got small green shots with no flowers but I wasn't expecting any yet. About the middle of August the shoots starting dying off even though I kept them watered. Is this what happens to alliums in the summer? They are still in pots and I don't know if they are still alive and if so what to do with them for the winter. I would assume some kind of tiny bulb grew or is developing from the seed but I haven't examined any to see.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, Debbie

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Comments (3)

marciaz3 Tropical 3 Northwestern Ontario
16 years ago
I'm by no means an expert and have never succeeded in germinating an allium from seed, but Allium purpurea 'Purple Sensation' has reseeded in my garden. The little leaves do disappear in the summer but reappear the next spring. I would sink your container in the ground for the winter so that you could keep track of it next year.

I love 'Christophii' - the heads are huge! :)
sharont
16 years ago
The same happened to me with unusual allium seed sprouts and another bulb forming seed. The foliage disappeared. So I dumped out the pot and found tiny bulbils. Planted the allium bulbils (rock garden) and repotted the other as it has to come in over the winter.
I'd recommend you have a look but repot if you find bulbils. Keep the pot outside in a protected spot that receives lots of snow cover over the winter.
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swontgirl_z5a
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks so much. I was hoping to hear something like that. If I get brave I might have a look at one of my little pots. I still have allium aflatunense in the fridge downstairs.It has been there since last April and hasn't done anything yet but it is supposed to germinate in the cold so I guess I will leave it there.
Thanks again for the help. I love alliums and couldn't resist the spring sale at Gardens North. I have never grown any and 2 bulbs I bought at a show in the winter rotted. Hope I get some green shoots next spring!!
Debbie