How to Grow Allium giganteum? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods
Allium giganteum, also known as Jilan flower, giant onion, tall onion, huge onion, etc., is a perennial bulbous flower of the genus Allium in the Liliaceae family. It is native to Central Asia and the Mediterranean region, and in China it is mainly distributed in northern regions. As a variety for decorating and beautifying flower borders, rock gardens, or lawn edges, it has high ornamental value. Let us take a look at how to grow Allium giganteum!
Growth Habits of Allium giganteum
Allium giganteum is native to Central Asia and the Mediterranean region, and in China it is mainly concentrated in northern regions. Its flowering period is spring and summer. It likes cool, sunny environments, and dislikes hot, humid, and rainy conditions, continuous cropping, and semi-shade. The suitable temperature is 15-25°C. It requires loose, fertile sandy loam soil and dislikes waterlogging. It is suitable for cultivation in northern regions of China.
Propagation Methods of Allium giganteum
1. Seed propagation: After the seeds of Allium giganteum mature in early July, collect them and dry them in the shade, store them at a low temperature of 5-7°C, sow in autumn from September to October, and they will germinate and emerge in March of the following year. In summer, the aboveground part also withers, forming small bulbs. Seedling plants require about 5 years of cultivation before they can bloom.
2. Division propagation: Bulb division propagation is carried out in summer and autumn. Peel off the daughter bulbs around the main bulb, and choose a cultivation site with a low groundwater level, good drainage, and loose, fertile sandy loam soil. Each mother bulb can be divided into 1-3 small bulbs, among which the larger bulbs can bloom in the second year after planting.
Cultivation Methods of Allium giganteum
1. Allium giganteum is a flower with an extremely low natural bulb multiplication rate. However, if the flower stalk is removed as early as possible after it appears, so that nutrients are concentrated on the development of replacement bulbs and daughter bulbs, the number of small bulbs can be appropriately increased. In summer, when the aboveground part dies, the bulbs can be dug out, separated by size, and placed in a ventilated place to overwinter the summer.
2. Allium giganteum is planted after autumn. Bulbs reaching more than 3 cm can bloom after planting, while those smaller than 3 cm need to be grown for one year before they can bloom. The bulb multiplication rate of Allium giganteum likes cool, sunny environments, requires loose, fertile sandy loam soil, dislikes waterlogging, and is suitable for cultivation in northern regions of China.
3. For open-field cultivation of Allium giganteum, choose a site with a low groundwater level, good drainage, and loose, fertile sandy loam soil as the cultivation site. The best time to plant bulbs is from mid-to-late September to early October, with a plant and row spacing of 20×30 cm. The planting depth is such that the soil covering the bulb is 2-3 times the height of the fresh bulb.
4. After planting Allium giganteum, slightly press the surface of the hole flat, then water it. In winter, there is no need to cover it for cold protection. In spring of the following year, when the leaves emerge in March, loosen the soil and water in time. Combined with liquid topdressing, water once every 10-15 days. Pay attention to intertillage, soil loosening, and weeding. In places with dry air, appropriately increase a small amount of artificial misting or shading, which can ease the yellowing of leaves in early summer.
5. After flowering, the stems and leaves of Allium giganteum wither. Dig up the bulbs as early as possible before the rainy season to avoid rotting after rain. Place them in a ventilated and dry place to dry, then store them spread out in a ventilated indoor place. Wait until September-October to plant. The planting site should not be continuously cropped. Pay attention to applying decomposed organic fertilizer. Summer is rainy, so drainage is needed in time. Allium giganteum is named for its large inflorescence.