WHY ARE MY PURPLE SENSATION ALLIUMS NOT FLOWERING?

GARY- · June 2022

They were perfectly fine in the first year. Unfortunately the majority of them have not produced flower heads in the second and third years! Some of them produce leaves, but that's it? I purchased 100's of them over the past few years from 2 or 3 of the largest on line companies. So I would like to think that I am purchasing high quality bulbs. They are grown in pots and are planted at the right depth, with fresh compost mixed with horticultural grit! They also have a south facing aspect. Is it common for this to happen? I thought they were supposed to be long lasting bulbs!

fidgetbones · June 2022

Most alliums do not like being in pots. As you say, they flower the first year, but do not build up a large enough bulb to flower afterwards. Most bulbs in pots deteriorate unless they are fed well and in a sunny position and get plenty of water. If you tip them out you may find lots of little bulbs, too small to flower. If you put them somewhere in the soil, like a line in the veg patch, they will build up and flower again. Otherwise , if you just do pots, regard them as needing new bulbs each year.

a1154 · June 2022

I’d say purple sensation alliums are totally reliable and do spread in the ground. Is there a reason you are keeping them in pots, do you not have space in the ground?

Fairygirl · June 2022

I agree with @fidgetbones. They 'll just produce small bulbils, at the expense of the main bulb, so they need the right care if you want them in future years.
Even in the ground, most alliums benefit from some feeding in order to replenish the bulbs and get them in good condition. It will often depend on the soil/site though.

WHY ARE MY PURPLE SENSATION ALLIUMS NOT FLOWERING?

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