Hi I am growing an allium for the first time. It flowered for 6 weeks but its starting to dry out now. Can anyone advise me do I still water it or let it dry out and die back. Also how di collect seed ? Can I leave the flower head on or should I cut it back and if so right back to the ground or just remove the head ? Finally do I remove the bulb and replant it next spring or just leavi it alone.
I thought I had posted something on sowing Allium seeds, I certainly did on the old Beeb site.
They need a cold period to germinate so, they ought to germinate in Spring.
Collecting the seed is easy, when the little capsules at the top of the old flower stem begin to open to reveal little black seeds, is the time to collect and sow. Turn the seed head and stem upside down in a paper bag and let the seeds fall out. If they refuse to then you need to split the cpasules and release the seeds that way.
This is the peice I wrote for the Beeb many moons ago.
Sow the seed fresh. It germinates better straight from the plant rather than being dried off.
Cover lightly with grit, gravel or whatever rather than compost.
Sow in a deep pot rather than a seed tray (reasons later).
Leave exposed to weather. They need a period of cold followed by warmth to initiate germination.
When (if?) they germinate do not be in a hurry to p rick them out. This is the reason for deep pot rather than seed tray. They have only one root to begin with and if it is damaged, it dies and a new one has to be produced from the base of the seedling. usually they die.
Feed the seed pot with dilute Baby Bio type stuff, until the leaves go yellow then allow the pot to dry off.
Repotting may be done when they are dormant. Some types never really go dormant so be careful.
I often do not repot until they have had another seasons growth. Remember many of them actually grow in late winter/early spring.
Thanks Bergill - Oops - have put in trays - may see if I can move into pots as they havent germinated yet. Will also put them outside rather than pamper them in my conservatory!
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Sowed my allium seeds about 2 weeks ago - any idea how long they take to germinate?
I thought I had posted something on sowing Allium seeds, I certainly did on the old Beeb site.
They need a cold period to germinate so, they ought to germinate in Spring.
Collecting the seed is easy, when the little capsules at the top of the old flower stem begin to open to reveal little black seeds, is the time to collect and sow. Turn the seed head and stem upside down in a paper bag and let the seeds fall out. If they refuse to then you need to split the cpasules and release the seeds that way.
This is the peice I wrote for the Beeb many moons ago.
Sow the seed fresh. It germinates better straight from the plant rather than being dried off.
Cover lightly with grit, gravel or whatever rather than compost.
Sow in a deep pot rather than a seed tray (reasons later).
Leave exposed to weather. They need a period of cold followed by warmth to initiate germination.
When (if?) they germinate do not be in a hurry to p rick them out. This is the reason for deep pot rather than seed tray. They have only one root to begin with and if it is damaged, it dies and a new one has to be produced from the base of the seedling. usually they die.
Feed the seed pot with dilute Baby Bio type stuff, until the leaves go yellow then allow the pot to dry off.
Repotting may be done when they are dormant. Some types never really go dormant so be careful.
I often do not repot until they have had another seasons growth. Remember many of them actually grow in late winter/early spring.
Cannot think of anything else for the moment.
Not as hard as it seems.
Thanks Bergill - Oops - have put in trays - may see if I can move into pots as they havent germinated yet. Will also put them outside rather than pamper them in my conservatory!