We've been waiting all spring for the ornamental onion to shoot out of the ground like an arrow and present its fabulous flowers in May/June. But sometimes you can wait a long time for the flowering time, especially when the ornamental onion doesn't want to bloom.
Why isn't my ornamental onion blooming?
If the ornamental onion does not bloom, the cause may be a lack of nutrients, rotting bulbs, unsuitable location, pests or drought. This can be remedied by moving the plant, loosening the soil, fertilizing and regular care to promote renewed flowering.
Flower failure - especially in large-flowered and large-growing varieties
It is not uncommon for the ornamental onion to stop blooming or not wanting to bloom at all after a few years. Many gardeners complain about this 2 to 3 years after planting. Ornamental allium varieties with large flowers and long flower stems are particularly affected by this. These include, for example, the well-known giant ornamental onion.
Reasons for flower failure
There can be many reasons for failure to bloom. These include, among others, these:
- suffers from nutrient deficiency/surplus
- Onion fault
- is in an unsuitable location
- is infested with pests
- Earth is too dry
Rare and common causes
Rarely, a disease infection is behind the missing flower. Pests are more often the cause. Ornamental garlic is occasionally attacked by aphids. Infested with snails, black weevils and onion flies. Two common causes are moisture and a lack of nutrients. When wet, the onion rots quickly. A nutrient deficiency can be promoted if the yellowing leaves are removed too early. The onion draws important nutrients from them.
Dig up onions and change location
Starting from scratch isn't nice, of course. But if there is no other option, it is the best solution. The bulbs are dug up and planted in a new location in November. Please note several points to ensure that the plants start flowering again.
This is still most important:
- loose up the soil well
- fertilize in spring with compost (€12.00 on Amazon) or other complete fertilizer
- if applicable Protect or overwinter in winter (for sensitive varieties)
- only cut when completely yellowed
- Keep soil moderately dry to moderately moist
Tip
If the ornamental onion is regularly fertilized, protected from severe frost, removed from its bulbs and watered, it will usually not come up with the idea of not producing its flowers. Proper care is the be-all and end-all!
