Too late to plant alliums?

YessicaHaircut · January 2022

My MIL has kindly sent me a pack of mixed allium bulbs. Is there any point in trying to plant them up now? If not are they likely to still be ok come Autumn and what's the best way to store them to give them the best chance of still being good at that stage?

Athelas · January 2022

It’s not too late, you can plant them now as long as the ground isn’t frozen. They may flower a bit later. It’s better than potentially losing them to mould to wait until autumn.

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1024187/could-you-plant-allium-bulbs-now

AnniD · January 2022

I agree, plant them now. You could use pots if you want to see what's what, and then plant them in the ground later.

Fairygirl · January 2022

I'd do as @AnniD says - in pots. Then you can place them where you want them if they grow. Storing them is pointless as they won't have the chance to grow any foliage, and therefore build themselves up for the following year.
They'll be viable as long as they haven't dried out or rotted/gone soft. They'll just flower later, or - depending on what varieties they are - it may be next year.

YessicaHaircut · January 2022

Great news - thank you! I was planning on putting them in pots anyway, so I shall crack on and see if I can get that done today whilst we have some dry, sunny weather for a change.

Fairygirl · January 2022

Nice gritty mix for them, although if it isn't too wet regularly where you are, just ordinary compost would probably be fine. Raise the pots too if they're on hard standing, just to help drainage. If you get squirrels, it's worth putting some mesh or netting over the tops too. If they're decorative pots and not just tucked away somewhere, I often use netting and tie it neatly with string - it looks less ugly that way

Can you send some sun please? Sleety rain here again

Too late to plant alliums?

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