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| I decided to post this here, since not many people on the Allium or the Bulbs forums seem to be interested in the ornamental alliums.
Very late last fall, in the beginning of December, I planted 100 Allium karataviense bulbs purchased at 50% end-of-season discount from a reputable online bulb supplier. All of the bulbs seemed firm and healthy, and temperatures were still very warm considering the season. The ground should still have been plenty warm for them to settle down and send out roots. The Allium sphaerocephalon I planted at the same time are well over a foot tall. However, not a single one has emerged yet. All of my many other types types of alliums--both edible and ornamental--are currently in vigorous, lush, active growth. My 'Ambassador' currently have wonderful glaucous-tinged clumps of foliage the size of bushel baskets and larger. The Allium karataviense were planted in extremely well-drained sandy soil in light shade. Soil runs on the alkaline side. Should I consider them goners, or are they simply late to emerge? Has anyone else experienced anything like this with this species? Any ideas? Thanks in advance,
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| Mine just started to peak out last week and it's been in for a couple years. Other alliums have been up for a while but this and allium moly seem to be later. As a reference daffodils are in full swing here and early tulips are only just starting. I think there's hope for yours! |
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| Kato_b, thank you so much for your input. I am certainly more hopeful now that they will soon emerge. Since you have had yours for a couple of years, have you found them to be reliably perennial or multiply at all? |
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| I'll check my patch of them when I get home tonight, or tomorrow, and report back to you how they compare in growth to the many other Allium species I have, which I know are up. Honestly, I don't remember if they're precocious, tardy, or just what. Frankly, because of where I have them planted, I tend to only notice them when in bloom, they're in an odd back corner of a bed right on my lot line behind a big lilac and a trellis. Can you dig into where you planted, carefully, and check them and see what is going on. Because you planted late, perhaps they are just behind -- I've noticed this effect with other very late planted bulbs, they take a little extra time to get going that first spring. |
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| Interesting that just today I was checking the spot where they are planted and I noticed some thick little noses just barely starting to poke through. I also have lilies planted in this area, so I don't want to dig to check on the allium. I would die if I broke a lily stem just ready to break the surface! |
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| Over the years I am getting better about, but not cured of, poking around for missing bulbs... I won't mention how many times I have re-learned the lesson of the broken lily stem! I've had it (only one bulb left) for probably 7 years and transplanted it once (which is when I left behind the others). I actually like the leaves more than the flowers! This year it appears to have split into two bulbs and also it looks like self sown seedlings from last year have returned and have grown larger..... so yes, it is perennial for me. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Sun, Apr 1, 12 at 13:07
| how deep did you plant them??? there is no way i would predict failure of 100 bulbs ... especially allium ... so the only option.. is that perhaps you went a bit deep.. and they are just needing some time to get up .. december is pretty late.. considering they should have been planted in early october.. but crimminey.. they are allium ... lol .. ken |
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| Just wanted to give an update. My Allium karataviense were indeed late to emerge. Almost all are up now, but a few stragglers are still pushing up noses through the soil. I think about 95 out of 100 bulbs are now up. The foliage looks beautiful. I can't wait for them to bloom! :-) |
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