Allium Germination
The question of Allium germination has been raised. We grow upwards of
200 species, all seed grown.
This is a large genus of both highly ornamental & weedy species, in many
sizes from small alpines to giants. Their germination patterns are about
as varied as you can imagine; encompassing everything from simple, easy
warm germinators that will flower the same season from seed, to species
that can take from 1-2 years to germinate requiring a complex pattern of
alternating temperatures.
Many of the commonly available large flowered-ball-types, such as Allium
aflatunense, giganteum, karataviense, or christophii are the most
challenging from seed. These also need to develop into quite a large
sized bulb before they will flower, so you are looking at anywhere from
2-5 years from seed to flower. These species are often more efficient to
simply purchase as mature bulbs, plant in the fall & have the promise of
blooms the next season. Allium christophii is the least difficult of
this batch, requiring only one simple cold treatment to germinate.
A large percentage of the smaller ornamental onions are exceedingly easy
from seed (as simple as annuals) and most will flower the second year
from seed, like any other perennial, as they do not need to develop such
a large bulb first.
Many of the particularly choice (small) species will need to be grown
from seed in any event, as they are not commonly available commercially
in the form of bulbs. The seed of these is available from seed exchanges
or from specialty seedhouses.
The last point is that the seed of many Alliums is short lived (a year
for many, two if you are lucky). So sow seed as soon as possible to
ensure good germination.
Cheers.
--
Kristl Walek
Gardens North Seed
5984 Third Line Road, N.
North Gower, Ontario
Canada K0A 2T0
Phone: (613) 489-0065
Fax: (613) 489-1208
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