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Replanting allium - what to do with small bulbs

parka66parka66 Posts: 5
in Plants
I’m redoing an area of my garden and have dug up everything that was there (it’s becoming a raised bed). I’ve just dug up lots of allium bulbs (I think purple sensation) but the bulbs are smaller than I remember and mostly comprise a clump of smaller bulbs loosely growing together. Some have split already into lots of small bulbs, some as small as my little finger nail. 

I’m assuming I can replant the bigger ones but that the smaller ones won’t flowers for a few years yet. What would people do - just plant the lot or keep the tiny ones growing on in pots until the are more robust. And is it the case that the bulbs only do this when they aren’t happy? I can’t remember how many allium I got there last year -  there were some but not as many as there are bulbs!

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @parka66 I think it may be years before the small bulbs flower. It is normal to have smaller bulbs after year one. Personally I would plant the bigger ones only. They can be a problem after flowering small bulbs popping up everywhere. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    I grow Purple Sensation and get lots of self-seeding, too many really, so I discard a lot of tiny ones.
    The bulbs haven't divided in my garden, they just get larger but there is no shortage of moisture in the soil. I wonder if yours weren't planted deep enough? 
    I would certainly think that this year's extremely dry weather where you are will have had an effect. 
    You could plant the small ones in the ground, they soon grow in my experience but I suspect the amount of water they get will make the difference, and planting depth.
     In pots you could perhaps regulate it better, but if summers continue very dry you may not want to have to water too many pots.

  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    GardenerSuze said:
    They can be a problem after flowering small bulbs popping up everywhere. 
    I agree, they can become a problem growing in the wrong place, in the crowns of perennials etc. I deadhead earlier now to cut down on self seeding. But they're often grown quite densely in borders, so I suppose it's down to what effect is wanted.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited November 2022
    I have know alliums bulbs to rot over winter in my soil. I have always mixed in some grit when planting. I guess it is all about finding the balance not too wet especially in winter and not too dry in summer. Something that is becoming increasingly difficult.
    In a natural setting keeping the seedlings until they reach flowering is fine. In a small space where everything has to 'earn it's keep' and seedlings are amoungst other plants they can be more of a problem.
    I would also suggest when replanting that you ensure they are deep enough hopefully that will help.

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I replant the larger ones in the flower beds. The smaller ones get lined out in the veg patch to grow on for a couple of years. They flower, I use them for cut flowers and then dig up and replant somewhere or give them away.
  • parka66parka66 Posts: 5
    Thanks everyone, really helpful. I’ll plant out the larger ones, tuck some of the smaller ones out of the way, and get rid of the tiddlers.

    @Woodgreen - I suspect they might have been a little shallow last time so will put them in deeper this time. 10-15 cm seems to be the recommended depth.
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