Allium seedlings

A question for Geoff Handley, or anyone else who can help.

At Geoff's suggestion I sowed fresh Allium christophii seed in a tray in December and left it outside. The seeds are now germinating well. But the question is what now? Will the tiny seedlings survive the frosts that are to come. They have no protection except for a polythene bag cover to keep the wet out. Should I leave them where they are, or pot them up and put them in a cold frame, or put them in a summerhouse that is frost free but has poor light, or give them a Caribean holiday in my light box?

 

Just pop them in the coldframe Peter if they have survived up until now they are doing ok we have had -5c in our area you probably have had the same,keeping them reasonably dry helps freezing at the roots is the biggest danger.

 

Do not disturb the seedlings by pricking out just yet. They are very cold hardy for a start. They need to be a reasonable size before you move them on into new compost. Once the weather warms up a bit, either replant the whole tray in a deeper one with new compost or feed with a liquid feed as per manufacturer's instructions. Then when the Allium christophii in the garden have just about finished flowering, then your seedlings will have died down and be ready for replanting.
To be honest I always sow Allium seeds in deep pots and leave to grow for at least 2 seasons before disturbing them, feeding rather than replanting.

 

Thanks to both of you. They certainly must be tough, as I have also had -5C. I will find space for them in a cold frame. Palustris are you saying you should only replant/prick-out when the bulbs go dormant, or can you do it any time, within reason, like any other perennial.

Actually, I have sowed so many seeds, that I think I will do an experiment. I will leave the bulk in a cold frame, but will prick a few individuals out, and even put a few in my light box.

 

Alliums are better moved on when they are dormant. Unlike many bulbs the root does not branch when broken, it dies back to the basal plate. The more roots that are damaged, the more work the plant has to do to survive. This is the reason why leek plants often have the leaves trimmed when planting out, the plant cannot support the full amount while making new roots.
As for tough, they are from cold desert areas where the temp. can fall well below anything we get in Britain!

 

That information is much appreciated Palustris. I do like it when people explain why. Its so easy to be told what to do, which you later forget. But if you know why, it makes so much more sense and is so much easier to remember.
You mentioned cold desert areas - this implies that although they may take our cold, they may not like winter wet?

 

The dry time in these cold desert environments is the summer, that is why the Alliums grow over winter, when there is a lot more moisture. Most of that falls as rain rather than snow and the ground is often frozen too. But, yes they do not like our wet summers, that is when they need to be in well drained soil.
You do need to know your onions though, the Alliums which have come from California and other warmer climes do need a different growing regime.

 

Palustris - I have taken your advice. I have put them back, but inside a coldframe. However, by way of an experiment I have also potted some up, putting a few in my lightbox and the rest in the coldframe as well.

Thinking about what you said makes good sense so I have also sown some more seeds in a deep pot, in the same cold frame.

I anyone wants some Allium christophii seed, I still have a bit left over. Just let me know.