The magnificent flower balls of the ornamental onion are an enrichment for every garden. Normally the bulbs are planted in the ground in autumn so that they can sprout vigorously in spring. But what to do if you missed this period? Here you can find out whether you can still plant your ornamental onion in March.
Can you plant ornamental garlic in March?
Ornamental onions can be planted in March, but it is important to store the bulbs at below 10 degrees Celsius for several weeks beforehand in order to receive the necessary cold stimulus. However, flowering is unlikely and usually only leaves are formed.
What is the best time to plant ornamental garlic?
The optimal period for planting ornamental garlic isAutumn The ornamental garlic bulbs should be planted in the ground between September and November, but at the latest before the first frost. Early fall is best when the ground is still warm. Then the onions root particularly well and can sprout more strongly in spring. As a cold germinator, Allium needs a cold stimulus in order to sprout. This occurs naturally in winter.
Can you plant ornamental garlic in March?
If you missed planting in autumn, you can alsoplant ornamental onions in spring However, you must note that the cold stimulus that is urgently needed for germination is missing in this case. For this reason, the bulbs must be stored cold, at below 10 degrees Celsius, for several weeks before planting. If you buy the bulbs in spring, ask the garden center about previous storage. Don't wait too long before planting the bulbs; it's best to plant the bulbs in the ground immediately after the first frost.
How do I prepare ornamental garlic bulbs for planting in March?
If, for example, you have obtained Allium bulbs through propagation, but have not planted them directly in autumn, you should store them in a dry, cold, butfrost-free place Well suited is a wooden box filled with sand in which you put the bulbs and which you put in the basement or garage. It is important that temperatures in the winter quarters are around 5 degrees Celsius, but in any case below 10 degrees Celsius; it must not be too warm.
What happens if you sow ornamental garlic seeds in March?
Instead of onions, you can also sowornamental onion seeds in March. Here too, they rely on a cold stimulus for germination. They should have been stored cold before sowing, just like the onions.
Does ornamental garlic bloom if planted in March?
If you plant allium in March, it probably won'tbloom, but will only produce leaves. When seeds are sown, the plant needs one to two years until it starts producing flowers, regardless of whether it was sown in autumn or spring.
Tip
Preparing seeds indoors
The seeds of the ornamental onion can also be grown indoors. Again, it is necessary to expose the seeds to cold for about 8 weeks before planting them in substrate. Germination takes place on the windowsill. The seedlings can then be planted outdoors in spring. However, in March it is usually still too cold for the delicate plants, so it is better to wait until the end of April.
