Growing Alliums in pots.

justandnobodyelse · April 2020

Morning all, having just spent an enjoyable few minutes strolling around the garden in the sunshine a few questions have arisen in my mind!

Having never grown Alliums before, in pots or the ground I thought I would seek some advice. I planted a selection of different variety Allium bulbs last autumn both in the ground and in pots. All shoots have made an appearance now, the potted bulbs being further ahead than the ones in the border. I have assumed that is because the pots have warmed up quicker than the ground?

I had read that the foliage of Alliums can look a little messy, which I am okay with I think. My main question is do the plants look healthy enough from the photographs? And is any additional care needed now to look after these potted bulbs? Please forgive my silly question but do I need to water the pots as I would do a plant or will the Allium flower get everything it needs from the bulb? Having never grown any bulbs in pots I though I would check. Thanks in advance.

Hostafan1 · April 2020

they look fine .
The important thing is to feed as the flowers pass, that way the bulbs stores food for next year's flowering.
The flowers you're getting this year are effectively formed late last season.

justandnobodyelse · April 2020

thanks @Hostafan1 what type of feed should I use after flowering? ANd will those Allium pots need watering throughout the summer at the same rate as the other pots too?

Fairygirl · April 2020

The trick with alliums in pots, is to have other pots in front of them to hide the foliage;)

You can use almost any food. B,F&Bone, tomato food etc. Water as you see fit too

justandnobodyelse · April 2020

Thanks again @Fairygirl I will have to shuffle the other pots as the foliage becomes more ragged!

justandnobodyelse · May 2020

Overall, as a first time allium grower I have been pretty happy with the display. As it stands some have flowered, some are developing buds still and some plants did not develop beyond the leaf stage, sent up no spike, leaving the leaves to wither and die off.

Is there any chance that the bulbs that died back Without flowering will come good next season?

i have been surprised at the amount of time the flowers take to unfurl, and quite a variation on the blooming time between different varieties. Some varieties are now going over while their neighbouring varieties are yet to appear.

Will leaving the seed head to develop still allow the bulb to re-bloom next year or should it be removed? It would be nice if I could get both! Any Further advice gratefully received.

Growing Alliums in pots.

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