raising allium from seed

[muddyfeet]

I saved some seeds from my allium christophii because they are so pretty and just the right size for my small garden.
Does anybody know if they should be grown the same as eating onions?
Should I sow them in the spring or can I put them in a pot of compost now and leave them in a corner of the garden to germinate whenever?
Will the seeds rot if I do this?
Does anybody know how long they will take to make a bulb big enough to flower?

[rustylady]

Information here for you. Apparently you can sow the seed as soon as it's ripe. RHS Plant Selector Allium cristophii AGM / RHS Gardening

[bazzaboy]

I saved some seeds from my allium christophii because they are so pretty ...

Does anybody know how long they will take to make a bulb big enough to flower?

I think perennial alliums are not quite the same as the biannual edible "onion" allium... Whereas we can sow standard onion seed and develop onions in their first year (which if left will flower in their second year, thus "bi-annual") the perennial bulbs will take several years to develop to flowering stage. Also they won't necessarily develop flowers identical to their host plant as they will most likely have been cross fertilised to produce the seed. So you may well produce a new allium! If you want to produce clones of the ones you've already got you I think you need to explore bringing on any "offsets" growing on the parent bulb, or any bulbils it produces as these should produce identical clones.

In practical terms for the garden it may be easier to let the offsets develop naturally and then sub-divide the resulting clump (during the dormant stage). Or, quicker, simply buy a few more named varieties (we're just about at the end of the season when you can do that). They might appear a bit pricey (up to a few pounds each bulb) but once you appreciate the work involved they might appear a bargain!

Good luck with whichever technique you use...... Fabulous flowers....!

[bazzaboy]

Or, quicker, simply buy a few more named varieties (we're just about at the end of the season when you can do that). They might appear a bit pricey (up to a few pounds each bulb) but once you appreciate the work involved they might appear a bargain!

They don't seem to make a big feature of it in garden centres where they concentrate on daffs, tulips, hyacinths etc at this time of the year but most of the regular catalogue and online companies supply a range. The one I personally like is Sarah Raven and she still has them available, see
Allium Bulbs

[muddyfeet]

Thanks for the input, I shall sow them forthwith in pots in the cold frame or greenhouse.