Allium Care Points ?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by HarryS, Jun 30, 2017.

  1. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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    My lovely Allium Superglobes have flowered and now turned to seed heads in early June. The seed heads are actually very nice . To tidy my flower bed though when can I remove the stems ? I understand that the Allium leaves return the energy to the bulb for next year , so I will leave them . Most of the stems have turned from green to a straw colour , can they be removed at this stage ?

    TIA
     
  2. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Yes. You can remove them with no problem. Flower arrangers use the dried flower heads to enhance their dried flower arrangements. They can stay in a vase for years without a problem. They'll eventually drop their seeds and you can use them for growing new ones.
     
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    • HarryS

      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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      That's a good idea . So if I cut them off near the base and leave them in a warm dry greenhouse for a couple of weeks , this would be OK for preparation ?
       
    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      Yes. We usually leave them on a table in the covered pergola or in the car port.

      I've just quickly grabbed a couple of photos of a vase that has been in the lounge for about three years. Photo is out of focus but short of time so won't bother to take another one. :noidea:

      P1340271.JPG

      Some of the other dried things in there
      P1340273.JPG
       
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      • redstar

        redstar Total Gardener

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        one year I took mine. and lightly sprayed them with gold paint. then I used them later in my house in an arrangement for Christmas center piece on my dining room table.
         
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        • HarryS

          HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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          thanks @redstar and @shiney , that has given me some ideas :blue thumb:
          I'll grow some Chinese lanterns next year as well .
           
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