Alliums

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junkjunkie Trenton, NJ May 16, 2017

Hello... I love alliums, all the different varieties. I've planted some large and smaller bulbs, in the fall, throughout the years.. in the ground and some in containers. I have had no luck with them! The area gets sun. I'll get leaves, but they turn brown and if a bud appears, the stem weakens and breaks off. Also, I don't get any growth at all. I thought they were as easy as daffodils. I get frustrated because they are so beautiful and see them in other gardens. I love the large ones. Anyone else have problems with them? What is the best way to grow them? I live in zone 6a/6b. Thank you.

This message was edited May 16, 2017 5:53 AM

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growin Beautiful, BC(Zone 8b) May 16, 2017

Maybe there's something wrong with your soil. They should be as easy as daffodils. Do you use bonemeal when you plant the bulbs?

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junkjunkie Trenton, NJ May 16, 2017

No, I don't. I just plant the bulbs like I do with daffodils. The daffodils grow with no problem. I have amended the clay soil over the years, but never used bonemeal. Thank you for your response.

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growin Beautiful, BC(Zone 8b) May 16, 2017

Just use a small amount of bone meal when you plant them. It tends to get the roots going over winter. You might also use a bit of top mulch to protect the bulbs during winter. Is your soil very wet in winter? Could they be freezing? I planted quite a few Allium 'Purple Sensation' and they all came up and are about to bloom. I planted them in the best drainage area as my soils are mostly saturated.

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junkjunkie Trenton, NJ May 17, 2017

Thank you. I'll try the bone meal and make sure the soil has better drainage, and use more mulch. I think the soil where I planted some bulbs retained water.

This message was edited May 17, 2017 7:34 AM

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birder17 Jackson, MO(Zone 6b) May 18, 2017

Water and bulbs don't usually mix well together. They rot.
Raise your soil up above the ground level. Berm it up a little bit.

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