Allium

The Allium genus includes 700 species of bulbous plants, many of which are grown for food, others for decorative purposes. But even decorative types have a typical onion smell, and if they are used in bouquets of cut flowers, the flower stalks should be immersed in cold water for a day so that they lose their pungent smell. Decorative species are used as lawn plants, in borders, rock gardens, rock gardens. Some of these species, especially dwarf ones, are grown in pots and often decorate balconies with them. In onion species, star-shaped flowers are collected in spherical umbrellas of various colors and bloom in spring or early summer. Leaves of various shapes: grooved, flat, oval and lanceolate, belt-shaped, piped. Onion karataviense (Allium karataviense) reaches a height of 20-25 cm, it has gray-green flat broad leaves. Small, pink flowers are collected in umbrellas with a diameter of approximately 25 cm. Onion sprouts is a type of mountain-loving onion (A. oreophilumm. var. ostrovskianum) is usually about 30 cm high, with linear leaves bent at the ends at the bottom. The flowers are star-shaped, pink, collected in hemispherical umbrellas with a diameter of approximately 5 cm. Onion schnitt (A. schoenoprasum) reaches a height of 40 cm, it has pink, purplish-pink or (less often) white flowers and narrow piped erect leaves, which are used in cooking. Trihedral onion (A. triquertum) reaches a height of 40 cm; white bell-shaped flowers are collected in umbrellas with a diameter of 4-5 cm. Giant onion (A. giganteum) with peduncles up to 120 cm high. The inflorescence is spherical, up to 8 cm in diameter, bright purple. Blooms in June.

The Allium genus includes 700 species of bulbous plants, many of which are grown for food, others for decorative purposes. But even decorative types have a typical onion smell, and if they are used in bouquets of cut flowers, the flower stalks should be immersed in cold water for a day so that they lose their pungent smell. Decorative species are used as lawn plants, in borders, rock gardens, rock gardens. Some of these species, especially dwarf ones, are grown in pots and often decorate balconies with them.

In onion species, star-shaped flowers are collected in spherical umbrellas of various colors and bloom in spring or early summer. Leaves of various shapes: grooved, flat, oval and lanceolate, belt-shaped, piped.

Onion karataviense (Allium karataviense) reaches a height of 20-25 cm, it has gray-green flat broad leaves. Small, pink flowers are collected in umbrellas with a diameter of approximately 25 cm.

Onion sprouts is a type of mountain-loving onion (A. oreophilumm. var. ostrovskianum) is usually about 30 cm high, with linear leaves bent at the ends at the bottom. The flowers are star-shaped, pink, collected in hemispherical umbrellas with a diameter of approximately 5 cm.

Onion schnitt (A. schoenoprasum) reaches a height of 40 cm, it has pink, purplish-pink or (less often) white flowers and narrow piped erect leaves, which are used in cooking.

Trihedral onion (A. triquertum) reaches a height of 40 cm; white bell-shaped flowers are collected in umbrellas with a diameter of 4-5 cm.

Giant onion (A. giganteum) with peduncles up to 120 cm high. The inflorescence is spherical, up to 8 cm in diameter, bright purple. Blooms in June.

Cultivation

Onions are grown outdoors: in the garden and in flower beds, in pots on balconies. The largest types of onions, if they are planted in the open ground in a place protected from the wind, require a garter. Bulbs are planted in the garden in well-prepared soil in September-October to a depth that depends on their size. For small bulbs, a 5-centimeter depth is sufficient, and for larger ones, a 10-12-centimeter depth is required. Bulbs can be grown permanently for several years, but in areas with colder climates, the soil is mulched for the winter. Dwarf species are planted in pots and bowls: 5-8 bulbs in each container, depending on the diameter. In this case, the bulbs are planted in autumn, using loose soil. Potted plants are kept indoors until the flowering period begins, then exposed to the open air. After flowering, the inflorescences are cut off, which contributes to the pouring and maturation of the bulb.

Onions are grown outdoors: in the garden and in flower beds, in pots on balconies. The largest types of onions, if they are planted in the open ground in a place protected from the wind, require a garter. Bulbs are planted in the garden in well-prepared soil in September-October to a depth that depends on their size. For small bulbs, a 5-centimeter depth is sufficient, and for larger ones, a 10-12-centimeter depth is required.

Bulbs can be grown permanently for several years, but in areas with colder climates, the soil is mulched for the winter. Dwarf species are planted in pots and bowls: 5-8 bulbs in each container, depending on the diameter. In this case, the bulbs are planted in autumn, using loose soil. Potted plants are kept indoors until the flowering period begins, then exposed to the open air. After flowering, the inflorescences are cut off, which contributes to the pouring and maturation of the bulb.

Location

All types of onions prefer a sunny location.

Temperature

These plants are very sensitive to frost. Some species, such as A. thunbergii, can withstand even -20 °C, but most do not tolerate sub-zero temperatures. The optimal growing temperature is 13-26 °C.

Watering

Onions need abundant watering only during the active growing season (from May to July).

Care

In autumn, withered stems and dried leaves are cut off.

Reproduction

The simplest and most popular method is vegetative-dividing bulbs, bulbs, and babies that form next to the main bulb. Propagate usually in early autumn or spring. In the latter case, the bulbs are removed from the ground in the fall and, after removing stains and rot, transplanted to another place or stored in a cool, but not cold place. Bulbs planted in autumn protect from frost and mulch the ground above them. Onions can also be propagated by seed in spring, when the temperature rises to 13 °C (to get seeds, the flowers are not cut), but with this method of propagation, as a rule, plants differ from the species from which the seeds were obtained, and bloom after 3-4 years.

Diseases

When water stagnates, onions are susceptible to rotting, while the leaves turn yellow, and the bulbs rot. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the soil with good drainage and avoid excessive watering. Plants are affected by fungal diseases, which leads to yellowing and drying of the leaves, and the roots and bases of the bulbs are covered with whitish mold. The aboveground part is sometimes eaten by snails. Warning! You should not grow decorative onions in the soil where garlic, onions, leeks or chives grew. Plant remains of these and other Onion family crops can be a breeding ground for infection or attract pests to ornamental species.

When water stagnates, onions are susceptible to rotting, while the leaves turn yellow, and the bulbs rot. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the soil with good drainage and avoid excessive watering. Plants are affected by fungal diseases, which leads to yellowing and drying of the leaves, and the roots and bases of the bulbs are covered with whitish mold. The aboveground part is sometimes eaten by snails.

Warning! You should not grow decorative onions in the soil where garlic, onions, leeks or chives grew. Plant remains of these and other Onion family crops can be a breeding ground for infection or attract pests to ornamental species.

Acquisition

Onion bulbs can be purchased at horticultural centers offering a wide range. Choose well-formed bulbs that show no signs of damage.