Alliums are perennials that prefer full sun and a sheltered position. They should be planted in autumn and preferably in trenches or good drifts. For best results, the soil should be heavy and contains at least 5cm of grit or spent compost. This will aid in drainage.
Avoiding soggy soil
When planting allium bulbs, remember that they prefer well-draining soil. They will suffer greatly if they are planted in soggy soil and may not bloom. During the dry season, be sure to water the bulbs thoroughly to avoid over-watering. Watering allium bulbs regularly is necessary to prevent rot.
Allium bulbs should be planted two to four inches deep. The planting depth will be listed on the bulb package. However, if the package does not include this information, you can measure the distance between bulbs and dig the holes accordingly. Make sure that you place each bulb in a firm hole, and that the soil is thoroughly saturated.
During summer, cut away the foliage to promote air circulation. This allows the bulb to absorb energy and nutrients from the soil. Avoid allowing allium foliage to dry out and turn brown. The bulb will use this energy to flower next year. After the foliage dies off, it can be used to plant more bulbs in the same location.
Allium bulbs grow best in well-drained soil with full sun. They are long-lived and need rich soil to flourish. Before planting, prepare the soil by turning it under six to 12 inches, removing any debris, and lightly raking the ground. It is important to include organic matter in the soil, especially in newer neighborhoods. Add bonemeal or compost to the soil before planting allium bulbs.
If you are planting allium bulbs in a clump, make sure you dig a hole large enough to hold all the bulbs. Then, plant each one with the pointed side up. Make sure to plant each bulb at least a half inch deeper than the other.
Avoiding fungal disease
While alliums are known to be hardy, there are some precautions you can take to avoid fungal disease. First, ensure that you plant them at the correct depth and avoid overwatering. This can lead to bulb rot. Next, check the soil for signs of fungal disease and treat it promptly.
Fungal disease on alliums is often caused by a fungal infection known as smut. The infection causes black-streaked stalks that are filled with a dark brown powder. The culprit is the fungus Urocystis colchici, which thrives in cool soil. Using Spinosad can help protect your bulbs from fungal diseases. This insecticide comes in a 32-ounce bottle.
When planting allium bulbs, make sure to plant them in soil that is neutral-pH. Ideally, the soil should be sandy loam. If your soil is very clay, break up the soil by adding some aged leaf compost or peat moss. Also, if your soil is too sandy, add a handful of aged compost or peat moss.
Another important step is to prevent the spread of the disease. One way to do this is to rotate your crops away from the affected area. You should also eliminate any disease-infected bulbs that are growing in your garden. It is also advisable to discard infected bulbs, culls from storage, and volunteer plants. Lastly, you should avoid planting garlic in areas where you know there is a risk of infection.
It is also important to cut back foliage. While this will not damage your bulbs, it will damage them if you cut it too early. Some gardeners tend to cut the foliage before the blooming period ends. However, this practice can result in fungal disease.
Avoiding pests
Pest control is important when growing alliums, especially during the early spring when the foliage is still young. One of the most common pests of alliums is the onion fly, which feeds on the roots and gradually infests the bulbs. Fortunately, there are many ways to control this pest, including crop rotation and the use of beneficial nematodes. One method is to use row covers.
Alliums are drought tolerant plants and will get plenty of rain during the winter, but you will still need to water them. In addition, you should use a comfrey pellet in early spring to feed the bulbs. This is rich in natural potash, and will help your plants bloom for years.
When planting allium bulbs, make sure to prepare the soil well. The best soil for alliums is one that is rich in organic matter. The soil should be six to twelve inches deep and well drained. The soil should also be free of debris. The bed should be prepared for planting before planting, and should be lightly raked. If you have a new yard, add organic matter before planting your alliums.
You should also try to prevent critters from digging up your bulbs. You can use chicken wire or hardware cloth to build a cage around the bulbs to keep the rodents out. You should also consider putting large rocks on top of the wire as deterrents. You can then cover the wire with mulch. However, you should wait until late November before mulching.
Alliums have some common pests and diseases, but the ones that are harmful to ornamental plants are much less prevalent. For example, you should avoid planting alliums next to any edible plants. You should also avoid the onion fly, which is a small house fly that eats the roots of plants in the onion family. An infestation of this pest can lead to plant failure and yellowing leaves.
Avoiding decomposed compost
When planting allium bulbs, you want to make sure to add plenty of organic material to the soil. Compost, peat moss, ground bark, or decomposed manure are all good additions. They should be added to the top twelve to 18 inches of soil. It is important to use organic materials to prevent your allium bulbs from becoming soggy or dry.
When planting alliums, use the appropriate hardiness zone for your location. Depending on the variety you choose, you may need to add two inches of mulch to protect your bulbs from frost and freezing temperatures. To avoid clogging your soil, you should choose a mulch material that traps cool air into the soil. Oak leaves, salt marsh hay, and straw are all excellent mulching mediums.
When planting allium bulbs, choose a location with well-drained soil, and full or partial shade. Avoid planting them in an area that tends to puddle when it rains, because they don’t tolerate soggy conditions. Also, if you are growing alliums in a container, make sure it has adequate drainage holes.
Another great benefit of planting Alliums is that they repel garden pests. You can plant them around the perimeter of your garden, where they can protect more tempting plants. Cut them back carefully, but be sure to leave as much foliage as possible. The leaves are important to photosynthesis, which is vital for your plants. You can also use the flowers in bouquets. Some varieties of Allium have an onion scent, but most are odorless.
Using a compost that is rich in nutrients and moisture will improve the overall growth of your allium bulbs. This type of compost will also improve drainage and nutrition.
Watering allium bulbs
When planting allium bulbs, it is important to water them early in the morning. This is to help the soil droop and allow the bulb to begin root growth. Over-watering is risky as it will rot the bulb and kill the plant. In addition, watering too often can encourage fungal disease. Because alliums are drought-tolerant, you may need to water them supplementally only once every week or 10 days, depending on the time of year.
If you choose to plant allium bulbs, choose a location that has full sun and adequate drainage. Most varieties prefer a full-sun location, although taller varieties may need staking. In addition, be sure to use a heavy-duty soil that contains at least 5cm of spent compost.
The timing of planting alliums depends on your climate; northerners can plant them as early as late September and southerners can plant them as late as October. Alliums do not like to be out of the ground for long periods of time, so it is important to plant them as soon as possible. However, if you plan to store your bulbs indoors for winter, be sure to keep them in a cool, frost-free area.
If your Allium bulbs are not flowering after the first spring, they probably need to be dug up and transplanted. You can also leave them to their natural growth. Often, they need a year or two before they bloom and will have to be dug up again. This can be tricky if the alliums you are planting are already quite mature.
The soil should be rich in organic matter and should be well-drained. Mulching helps retain moisture. However, be careful not to add too much mulch, as this can make the soil waterlogged. In addition, you should also ensure that the bulbs receive plenty of light so that they can grow properly.
