Allium christophii

[tishop]

Hi all, newbie here.

Anyone else growing this wonderful plant? I've five bulbs in my insect-attracting herb and flower bed and one's already looking big enough to be thinking about sending up an early flower spike. Check out my allotment blog to find a pic of them:

http://plot61a.blogspot.com/search/label/Allium%20christophii

They received lots of praise from neighbours last year and the bumbles just loved them!

Looking forward to being part of the forum,
tishop :)x

[tishop]

[robkb]

I've got several bulbs planted in the garden and they are great! Also, the dried seed heads look amazing in a vase.

Cheers,
Rob  ;)

[glosterwomble]

Hi Tishop, welcome to the group. Your blog looks great, I'll have to sit down with a bottle of wine later and have a good read!! We've planted Allium Christophii in the garden but I haven't looked to see what they're doing yet. Can't wait to see what they're like, I love alliums and been meaning to put some in for ages!

[ACE]

I have quite a few of these grown in clumps of 15 to 20 dotted around the garden. I leave the seed heads on for as long as I can, then I spray the best of them up with metalic spray paints for xmas decorations.

[caroline7758]

I have had a clump growing for about three or four years but they seem to do less well every year. Maybe due to competition from other plants, but should I divide them, or feed them, do you think? If so, when?

[Baaaaaaaa]

I was lead to believe that they should be divided every few years. Just dug up the bulb, gentle pressure will make the bulb split into 2/3 or 4 cloves (?), and just replant the cloves.

I did this, never saw them again !

[Robert_Brenchley]

Mine tend to swindle as well. Maybe it's a fussy plant; I've only found one spot where I can grow crown imperials, and they sulk everywhere else! This could be another one.

[tishop]

Cheers everyone!

Yes, looking it up, it does seem to be somewhat particular as to it's situation. About the best instructions I found says "full sun and humusy, well-drained soil." It also listed a long list of 'problems', including: white rot, mildew, rust and thrips (the sort of thing that would put off anyone but the most expierenced of gardeners from growing it!) A pity I think as the 'Stars of Persia' (I also discovered that this is it's most popular common name) is a gem - at least so long as it keeps going in my garden! :)

[caroline7758]

(the sort of thing that would put off anyone but the most expierenced of gardeners from growing it!)

Especially given the price of allium bulbs! (unless you are growing them as onions of course- why is that?)

[Pesky Wabbit]

Anyone tried collecting the seeds and sowing them ?

Are they more difficult that normal onions to grow ?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Probably not. A lot of ornamental alliums come easily from seed, but I haven't tried these.

[Garden Manager]

I have just bought some of these after seeing them in gardens I have visited.

I am however not sure how deep to plant them. Can anyone tell me please?

Thanks

[Robert_Brenchley]

Dig out a trowelful of soil, drop the bulb in, put the soil back. You won't have any problems.

[tishop]

Dig out a trowelful of soil

Yeah, that sounds good. Around 20 cm deep to base of bulb and spaced about 30 cm apart in full sun.

[Pesky Wabbit]

The general bulb planting rule applies to Alliums, ie dig a hole 3 times the height ofthe bulb.

The deeper the more stable the plant will be, but too deep and the thing wont flower.

I'd also put a handfull of grit/sand under the buld to help drainage and stop the bulb from rotting.

[Garden Manager]

Thanks. When would be the best time to plant them? I have the bulbs ready to go in. Can i do it now?

[Palustris]

Already? That is early. We normally buy and plant them from September up to the end of October.

[Garden Manager]

Already? That is early. We normally buy and plant them from September up to the end of October.

Found a stand selling them at Hampton Court last week, Eric. Hence the request.

Should i store them untill autumn then?

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you have them, plant them. Then you won't have to worry about storage. They'll be much less likely to suffer in their normal habitat.