- Loss of flowers - especially in large-flowered and tall-growing varieties
- Reasons for the failure of flowers
- Dig up onions and change location
People have 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 period, for example when the ornamental onion does not want to bloom.
A change of location can help if the allium refuses to flower
Loss of flowers - especially in large-flowered and tall-growing varieties
It is by no means uncommon for ornamental onions to stop blooming or not want to bloom at all after a few years. Many gardeners complain about this already 2 to 3 years after planting. Ornamental onion varieties with large flowers and long flower stalks are particularly affected. This includes, for example, the well-known giant ornamental onion.
Reasons for the failure of flowers
There can be many reasons for the lack of flowering. These include, among others:
- suffers from nutrient deficiency/nutrient excess
- onion rot
- is in an unsuitable location
- is infested with pests
- Earth is too dry
Rare and common causes
Rarely, a disease is behind the missing flower. Pests are more often the cause. Ornamental onions are occasionally attacked by aphids. Snails, vine weevils and onion flies infested. Another two common causes are wetness and nutrient deficiencies. Onions rot quickly when wet. A nutrient deficiency can be favored if the yellowing leaves are removed too early. The onion draws important nutrients from them.
Dig up onions and change location
Of course, starting from scratch is not nice. But if there is no other way, it is the best solution. The bulbs are dug up and planted in a new location in November. Pay attention to several points at the same time so that the flowering of the plants starts again.
This is still particularly important:
- Loosen the soil well
- Fertilize with compost or other complete fertilizer in spring
- if necessary, protect or hibernate in winter (for sensitive varieties)
- only cut when completely yellowed
- Keep soil moderately dry to moderately moist
tips
If the ornamental onion is fertilized regularly, protected from severe frost, freed from its bulbs and watered, it will not usually occur to the idea of not developing its flowers. Proper care is the be-all and end-all!