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Allium bulbils?

FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
in Plants
Afternoon! I planted Allium Purple Sensation in the autum and had a great display. I’m slightly confused that I appear to have two different varieties as the colour difference is marked- this isn’t a problem, I like it - any idea what they are? Also one of the darker flower heads appears to have produced bulbils, none of the others have done this and the few articles I’ve read do not list this variety as producing aerial bulbils... anybody had this happen? Odd that only one out of dozens has.... and final question, if they are bulbils, when do I take them off and plant them? Thanks!

Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Not bulbils, they are the seed pods.
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    Are the seed pods not the round green pods after the flower has gone over? I mean the the small white bulb shaped things at the base.
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Sorry, did not see them hidden away there. Yes, bulbils. Not uncommon in most of the Allium family. Some types produce them by the zillion. Often, in these plants caused by tiny bit of damage to the stem just below the flower, aphid bite.
    Take them when the flower head is ready to separate from the bulb.
  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364
    edited May 2018
    I have grown Purple Sensation for a good few years now. I find the Allium plant bulbs mutiply quite easily by themselves and I would imagine you will get a lot more plants quicker than dividing and planting the bulbils.
    Last year I bought three Ambassador, 1  Cristophii and two Gigantum. The newer smaller bulbs take a only a little longer to grow to full size. 

    More plants I have fallen in love with.  <3<3<3
    (I also grow my chives for decorative purposes.)  




    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    Thanks! I will plant the bulbils just for fun... the rest can seed as they please!
  • lufotalufota Posts: 2
    Flinster said:
    Afternoon! I planted Allium Purple Sensation in the autum and had a great display. I’m slightly confused that I appear to have two different varieties as the colour difference is marked- this isn’t a problem, I like it - any idea what they are? Also one of the darker flower heads appears to have produced bulbils, none of the others have done this and the few articles I’ve read do not list this variety as producing aerial bulbils... anybody had this happen? Odd that only one out of dozens has.... and final question, if they are bulbils, when do I take them off and plant them? Thanks!
    Flinster said:
    Afternoon! I planted Allium Purple Sensation in the autum and had a great display. I’m slightly confused that I appear to have two different varieties as the colour difference is marked- this isn’t a problem, I like it - any idea what they are? Also one of the darker flower heads appears to have produced bulbils, none of the others have done this and the few articles I’ve read do not list this variety as producing aerial bulbils... anybody had this happen? Odd that only one out of dozens has.... and final question, if they are bulbils, when do I take them off and plant them? Thanks!
  • lufotalufota Posts: 2
    My Purple Sensation did the same this Spring, first time it happens in 5 years . One of the flowers produced a bunch of bulbils in it’s flower head after the flowers had faded .
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