Planting allium bulbs

Again thanks Palustris. I do remember from you saying before, to leave them from seed in a deep pot. I have now lifted them after two years, when dormant, out of sheer curiosity to see how they were getting on. I presume lifting when dormant is OK? However there is going to be a problem in replanting, because the tiny bulbs are quite round with virtually no indication of top or bottom!

I didn't feed them much, which would obviously help. But I think you have put your finger on it when you said up to 5 years. Christopher Lloyd talked about two years - but I could never believe that was true for larger ones.

It it really takes 5 years, its no wonder that the large bulbs are so expensive.

 

Moving them when dormant is ok. As to working out which way up they go, it does not really matter, they will grow either way. Remember that they do begin to grow pretty soon (if they are the big ones) as most of them are Winter growers.

 

Thanks for the reminder Palustris - I think I must plant mine out very soon. I have been decorating for several weeks and hardly set foot in the garden. Luckily nature continues to work in my absence!