Allium

Allium is a decorative bow that includes more than 400 different species and varieties, which is certainly a huge number, and it will be impossible to consider each separately. Gardeners today cultivate and grow about 130 species of such a plant. It should be noted that this onion most of all looks more like a flower, which is a real highlight on any personal plot.

Against the background of typical and familiar plants, onions will look incredibly attractive and decorative. At the same time, in this article we will dwell in more detail on how to properly grow this decorative allium onion, what are the features of this process. We will also tell you what types of onions exist, and what features and distinctive features these types have. Of course, the article will be interesting for both beginners and experienced gardeners, everyone will discover something completely new and special. So we tried to fit in the article only reliable facts and characteristics so that she could become a real assistant to the gardener in growing this unusual onion called allium.

Allium - planting and care

After the gardener has chosen a suitable site for planting onions, he must carry out a complete digging of it. At the same time, the soil is enriched with special mineral compositions and components, and humus is also introduced into it, which becomes an indispensable organic component that saturates the soil, even one that is completely depleted and weak. Then it is worth preparing the landing pit, spilling it with a not very large amount of water so that an excess of liquid does not form. After the gardener has planted the allium onion in the plot, then the surface of the plot should be sprinkled with mulch. Mulch has many functions, including slowing down the evaporation of moisture, keeping the soil warm, and protecting against pests and bacteria.

It is recommended to plant onions in open ground around the very end of September, while it is best if the temperature of the soil in the area of ​​the root system (or rather, in the area of ​​its future formation) should be about ten degrees, no less. In general, these are all the requirements that are usually put forward to the allium planting process, and it is not at all difficult to comply with them.

Growing an allium on your site as a whole is completely simple and not difficult. Allium is a very unpretentious plant and is not at all capricious, so gardeners usually do not have any difficulties with it. It is worth removing all weeds from the site in time, and also the surface of the site should be regularly loosened, since the soil must be very light and ventilated. It is also recommended to sprinkle the soil with mulch throughout the growing season, because this is a very important element in the care practice for this plant. As for watering, it should be carried out in moderation, while allium is a type of plant that, on the whole, can tolerate short droughts quite calmly, but stagnation of moisture in the soil can lead to the plant withering away and starting to get sick. So, in principle, if you follow such fairly simple rules, you can get an unusual and very ornamental plant that will take root quite calmly even in a variety of soil and climate conditions.

For planting, it is best to choose an area that will be very well illuminated by the sun, since the allium as a whole is a plant that is excellent for the sun and is a heat-loving crop.The soil should be loose and light, it is desirable that moisture and oxygen pass through it perfectly, then such conditions will simply be as ideal as possible for allium. At the same time, if a periodic stagnation of liquid suddenly occurs, then as a preventive measure it is recommended to improve the drainage properties of the soil, to create artificial drainage, thanks to which the plant will really feel more comfortable and better, and, accordingly, will demonstrate better growth and development. The acidity should be moderate; if the soil is too acidic, it is best to add wood ash to it to balance and balance its composition.

In the very lowlands, as well as in those territories and in those places where water can stagnate, especially when snow melts or heavy rains are observed, it is best not to grow this type of onion, since it will not grow there, and if it does, then most likely it will lose its decorative properties and features. In order to plant an allium, it is recommended to prepare a place in advance. This should be a hole, the depth of which will be approximately two to three times greater than the height of the bulb itself, which will become the planting material for this type of onion. Thanks to this, the root system of the allium will be completely and completely protected from drying out, as well as, in general, from possible winter frosts, which may be too dangerous for the plant, but one way or another, allium will certainly face them anyway.

Some gardeners often wonder if there is a need to dig allium bulbs for the winter. Experienced gardeners recommend digging allium onions annually after the seeds are fully ripe and the leaves are completely dry. Bulbs can be placed in the ground again in the autumn. In order to store the dug out allium bulbs, it is recommended to remove them in a place where the air temperature will not exceed twenty degrees. Some species of allium can also be planted not only in the fall: there are varieties and species that are ideal for planting in the spring. For example, such varieties and types include Ostrovsky onions, moths and blue allium. If the bulbs are sent for storage, then they are placed in a container that is filled with peat and sawdust. Thanks to this composition, the bulbs will not completely dry out, and at the same time they will be protected from pests, bacteria, excess moisture, which can provoke the formation of various harmful substances and bacteria, fungal spores. Thus, when digging out the bulbs, you can protect them from freezing, and the next year you can also get an excellent decorative result.

As for feeding, ideally wood ash or compost can be suitable for allium - two components that include a large amount of vitamins and trace elements that are incredibly useful for allium. In particular, the plant needs feeding when it is at the stage of active growth of the leafy, green part. In addition, fertilization is a great part for a plant when buds are formed on it, as well as bulbs are formed in general. In order for the plant to successfully endure a rather harsh winter period, it is also recommended, starting from early autumn, to feed with the help of mixtures and fertilizers, which include potassium and phosphorus. At the same time, it is recommended to apply undissolved granules directly into the soil, and then water it, thanks to moisture, the elements quickly spread into the soil and, accordingly, into the root system of the allium itself. It is worth replanting seedlings only at the very initial stage of their development, since then they may not take root at all in a new place, and the planting materials will be spoiled.

If the gardener has decided to grow allium using seeds, then flowering should be expected in about a few years.For example, alliums of yellow or blue color and the corresponding species and varieties bloom about the third year after the gardener sent them to open ground. As for species that have very large inflorescences, they begin to bloom even later - about the sixth, and sometimes even the seventh year after the bulbs were planted in open ground. Such varieties of allium onions include Schubert and Christoph, as well as the giant onion. The seeds of the giant, by the way, were recommended for planting in places where there is a less stable and rather cold climate. Moreover, if we talk about Aflun allium, then it grows well in warm places. But we will talk about the features of various varieties a little later. It is worth paying attention to the fact that if the gardener has created just ideal conditions for the growth of ornamental varieties and types of onions, then he can reproduce remarkably in such a way as self-seeding, while completely not losing its decorative properties and features, which is its specificity.

As more experienced gardeners can point out, almost any type and variety of onions will form very small, tiny onions. They have long received their own name - bulbs. In order to stimulate their more abundant growth and development, it is recommended to cut off some buds in advance and treat the shrubs with growth stimulants, but this should be done very carefully and carefully, observing the processing technique and instructions for using stimulants. Also, experienced gardeners and experts emphasize that the bulbs are very clean and young planting material, so it is recommended to take them just for more abundant onion reproduction. For example, if a gardener decides to plant blue allium bulbs, then the bush will begin to bloom about the second year after the gardener has planted the materials in open ground. Agree, when you shouldn't expect results for too long, this becomes an undoubted advantage of the variety.

If the gardener cannot organize normal and proper care of the allium, then this will threaten the development of diseases and the fact that the plant will weaken the immune system. As a result, it is susceptible to attacks from pests and bacteria. Bushes can get sick with downy mildew, and can also pick up all kinds of rot. At the same time, onion midges can settle on the allium, which also provokes various diseases. Root mites become no less dangerous, but in this case, diseases and bacteria should spread too much throughout the plant, and in general the form of the disease and infection should be very advanced. To carry out preventive measures, it is necessary to warm the bulbs for about 12 hours before planting planting material. To do this, you can use a dryer or oven, the temperature in which should be no more than forty degrees. If pests have already managed to settle and multiply on the bush, then it is necessary to carry out treatments with a variety of substances and components. Ideally, a 2% chlorofox solution is suitable for processing, and you can also use some organic substances for this - peat, wood ash or tobacco dust, which are also no less effective in pest control.

Of course, we will devote the next part of our article to what types and varieties of decorative onions exist today, and what features they have. This part will be informative just for those who are in an active search for new varieties and types of plants in order to decorate their personal plot, make it unique, unique and exclusive.

Types of decorative bow

• The first species that we will consider in this article is Allium Aflatunsky (in other words, it is also called pearl sensation).The height of the bush can reach about one and a half meters, while the diameter of the flower on the onion is about 12 centimeters, which, of course, is an excellent result by decorative measures. The inflorescences of a spherical shape in the form of umbrellas consist of flowers of a pale purple hue, while the flowers are star-shaped. The plant as a whole differs in that it is completely unpretentious and not demanding in terms of caring measures and measures. During flowering, it looks incredibly attractive and decorative, due to which it is very appreciated among gardeners and those who use allium to decorate flower beds and plots.
  
• Allium gladiator is one of the types of allium, which, moreover, is also quite an edible onion plant, since the onion is its close relative. If a gardener has a special desire, then, in principle, he can use dark green leaves as an additive to salads or other dishes without any problems, or he can simply eat fresh onions. The height of the bush is no more than one meter, the flowers are star-shaped, they are painted in a bluish-lavender shade. At the same time, the flowers have six petals, and they also give off a very fresh and attractive sweetish aroma, which is not too harsh or intrusive, for which this allium is also appreciated among gardeners. Inflorescences in diameter can reach twenty centimeters, sometimes this number is even larger numbers, here in many respects it all depends on whether the gardener has taken care of the plant, and on the conditions under which the allium grows. The view takes root perfectly and looks in the composed rock gardens, as well as in the framework of the decorated rocky gardens, as the plant looks very unusual and incredibly decorative. Also, the allium of this species is simply incredibly combined with bearded irises, so this note can be made by a gardener who has decided to arrange the site and attract alliums for this.
  
• Allium eros is a very decorative and attractive allium that has very beautiful inflorescences. They have a spherical decorative shape and can also be painted in a variety of colors. Typically, shades can range from light lilac to deep pink. The height of the bush can be from 30 to 35 centimeters, while the flowers in diameter reach no more than ten centimeters. Flowering begins in June, and even though this plant is very compact and small, it looks great in compositions and flower beds and is combined with a huge number of plantings. Therefore, eros today is one of the most popular types of allium, which is found in many areas. In addition, it is completely unpretentious, which is also a huge advantage.
  
• Allium round-headed - this species is distinguished by its rather late flowering period, which occurs in mid-summer. At the same time, flowering can stretch for four weeks, and sometimes even more, so the variety is still one of the most demanded and popular. The inflorescences are oval in shape, the flowers can be painted either pink or lilac, in general they look incredibly decorative, and therefore attract attention from gardeners and decorators. It is also worth paying attention to the height of the stems - it is about 60 centimeters, this is an average height, and in general, due to this, the onion looks great both among low-growing plantings and among taller decorative plantings and flower beds.
  
• Blue allium - we have already mentioned it in the previous part of this article. In fact, it is one of the most decorative allium species found in gardening and design today. The stems of the plant can reach a height of almost 80 centimeters, which makes the allium quite versatile.The inflorescences are about seven centimeters across, in fact, the inflorescence itself looks like a very lush umbrella, which has either a hemispherical or entirely spherical shape. One inflorescence contains from 200 to 250 variegated flowers, which have a bright and very fresh blue color. It is precisely due to such a spectacular color that the plant looks incredibly decorative and attractive, and many gardeners have repeatedly argued that this particular type of allium is perhaps the most attractive among all other subspecies. Some even say that they have never met a more beautiful blue color among other flower or garden crops. Perhaps this is what makes blue allium so popular and widespread, and it can make every planting incredibly attractive, decorative and in some way unique.
• Allium moth (in other words, this is a yellow onion) - the height of the bush varies from 20 to 30 centimeters, the inflorescences are loose, they include flowers in the form of stars, which have a rich yellow, almost golden color. This type of allium begins to bloom around the very end of May. It should be noted that flowering lasts about 20-25 days, but here it is worth keeping in mind the climatic conditions and how the gardener himself takes care of this type of allium. It's not a secret for anyone that even the most unpretentious plants in one way or another need care measures, so you should keep this in mind and never forget about watering, weeding, and timely feeding of plants. Only in this case you can get a decorative and incredibly attractive result.
  
• Allium Christophe - this type of allium among other medium-sized plants is perhaps the most decorative. As a rule, the height of the bush varies from 30 to 40 centimeters, no more. But, if the gardener provided this species with the most ideal conditions for growth and development, then sometimes a bush in height can reach 60 centimeters. The inflorescences have a pronounced spherical shape, while it has a very impressive size. In diameter, the inflorescence sometimes reaches 25 centimeters, and sometimes this figure is not the final limit for allium. The composition includes a huge number of very small flowers, which have the standard allium star shape. The inflorescences may appear as purple. So is the purple color. At the same time, the inflorescence reaches the peak of its showiness and decorativeness around June. The flowering period is approximately one month. But, again, the plant needs the most comfortable conditions, because this is the most important thing that it needs in order to fully reveal its decorative features and characteristics.
  
• Allium Ostrovsky is a stunted species, which, at the same time, is distinguished by its showiness. The height of one bush is about twenty centimeters. The flowers are very large, deep raspberry hue, while distinguished by their wide bell-shaped shape and excellent pleasant aroma. They are part of the inflorescences, they are no more than ten centimeters wide in diameter. One way or another, this type of allium looks great in the composition of undersized flower beds, it looks really incredibly attractive and spectacular.
• Allium ivory queen is a plant, according to gardeners and florists, can become a real decoration for absolutely any personal plot. The height of the stems varies from 25 to 35 centimeters, at the very tops, delicate cream-colored flowers are gradually formed (otherwise this shade is called ivory). In diameter, the inflorescences reach 10-12 centimeters, while they emanate a pleasant and at the same time very persistent aroma. But when there are no inflorescences on the bush, it does not lose its attractiveness at all, it remains the same spectacular and very decorative.This is especially due to the fact that the foliage has very bright and decorative features, and it is really very beautiful. The leaf blades of this species of allium are corrugated, painted in a bluish-greenish hue, atypical for a plant. It can take up to three weeks to bloom and is incredibly attractive indeed.
  
• Allium bulgarian - in this type of allium, the bush reaches almost one meter in height. Flowering usually occurs in the very first weeks of summer, and it is at this time that very bright and decorative purple-white flowers appear on the plant. They are collected in inflorescences, they look incredibly attractive. The plant also needs the most elementary care measures - watering, feeding, removing weeds, loosening the trunk circle.
• Allium giant - the name of this species speaks for itself. The bush can reach a height of one and a half meters. The inflorescences are umbrella-shaped, reaching about 80 centimeters in diameter. The inflorescences can be painted in a pale purple hue, which makes them very delicate and attractive for creating romantic compositions. Wide leaf plates have a belt-like shape, and the flowering itself usually occurs in June. It lasts about 3.5 weeks, in favorable conditions it can reach four weeks.
• Allium mountain-loving - this type of plant is very stunted. The size of its bulbs is extremely small - they resemble more of a pea. The height of the bush itself is from 10 to 20 centimeters, in the composition of the inflorescences there are from 30 to 40 flowers. They have a deep purple color, their shape is a wide bell. The flowering of the bush usually begins in late spring, flowering continues for about three to four weeks, but even then it is worth considering all the favorable conditions, since if you plant onions in an unsuitable climate, then the plants will experience a real shock and will not give any flowering.
  
• Allium unifolium is the birthplace of this flower - North America, and it is for this reason that the plant adapts quite easily to environmental conditions that are not always stable. This type of allium is distinguished by its special decorativeness, and this is taken into account even despite the fact that the inflorescences are rather umbrellas that are not very tightly adjacent to each other, which still look incredibly attractive. The height of the bush usually reaches 25 centimeters, no more. The bushes are generally very compact, due to their small size, they have decorative features, and from them small and attractive compositions can be created. In general, this type of allium is also considered one of the most persistent, but at the same time the gardener should take care to create an incredibly attractive composition, since the plant requires attention and care.
  
• Allium Schubert - the height of this shrub is about 30 centimeters. The inflorescences have a pinkish-gray hue, which distinguishes them favorably from other species. The flowering of this type of allium begins around June, and at the same time the plant does not at all resemble an onion, for this reason, some gardeners and flower growers at first glance cannot determine at all that this type of allium is its closest relative.
• Allium Cowani is an early flowering Allium species that blooms between May and June. Peduncles are distinguished by an impressive length, their height varies from 30 to 40 centimeters, but already at the very tops, spectacular and very attractive inflorescences are formed. They look like very lush balls, they include small flowers that are snow-white in color. At the same time, a very delicate and pleasant aroma emanates from the inflorescences, which is unobtrusive and at the same time persistent. Flowering lasts from two to three weeks, while if the gardener rubs the shoots, he can feel a fairly pronounced garlic aroma.This, perhaps, is also some feature of this type of allium, although some gardeners also prefer it because it fits perfectly into general compositions and looks nice as a single planting.
• Allium Neapolitan - this bush is very small in height - from 25 to 35 centimeters. The flowers are about 1.5 centimeters long, and they are all collected in flat and not very convex inflorescences that have the shape of an umbrella. The color of the flowers is pink, in general, and this species looks quite attractive, so gardeners often choose it for planting on their site. Again, you should pay attention to care measures, because allium, like any other crop, needs a gardener to take care of it, water it, cultivate the soil, rid it of weeds, and also feed it, because both the plant and the soil around it need in additional saturation with components and microelements. If you follow all these rules, then the result will really delight gardeners, so do not neglect caring and preventive measures.