Features of the decorative Allium and the rules of its breeding

Decorative plants are a real decoration of any garden landscape, with each housewife seeks to decorate her yard with beautiful, unusual and, most importantly, vibrant cultures. In the world there are hundreds of species of exotic flowers, exuding a magical aroma and differing in the most lush palette of colors. Decorative Allium bow is one of those plants that can decorate any personal plot.

"Allium" is a very unusual plant that looks like an alien between irises, chrysanthemums, lilies and peonies that are familiar to our eyes. Due to its exotic look, it literally attracts the views, which is why landscape designers really appreciate this flower. At the same time, a decorative onion is quite unpretentious in care, its cultivation is possible even for inexperienced gardeners. The most important thing in growing it is to ensure the right conditions for planting in the soil and observing the rules of plant care.

"Allium" is a representative of the Amaryllis family, it can be two years old or long-term. The flower is tall, its size in some species reaches 100 cm. The stem is most often swollen, at the end a spherical large inflorescence is formed, consisting of a large number of small flowers growing on elongated legs. The size of each inflorescence often reaches 20-40 cm. Depending on the type of decorative onion, flowering occurs from May to September.

"Allium" is characterized by a sharp odor, characteristic of all onions. Widely used in the creation of alpine slides, rockeries, flower rabatok and in single plantings.

Nowadays, quite a large number of the most varied varieties of Allium are bred.

• One of the most popular varieties is called "Schnitt". This is a relatively low plant with rounded inflorescences of lilac-pink or light lilac shade. Flowering begins in spring and lasts about a month.

• In bouquets looks good "Bow of Schubert" - low-growing shrub whose arrows do not exceed 30 cm. The inflorescence is distinguished by a gray-pink color and a star shape. Flowering occurs in the first summer month.

• "Hair" - rather unusual for the subfamily onion hybrid, in which only specialists can determine the variety by appearance. This plant has smoky inflorescences that perfectly complement any bedding or flower bed. Flowering begins in May and lasts for 3-4 weeks.

• A tall plant with large white inflorescences belongs to the variety Mount Everest. Its length reaches 120 cm. A giant variety “Glomaster” (“Giganteum”), which blooms at the very beginning of summer and pleases with its color before the onset of the first cold weather, can make it a competitor. The size of the bush is 80 cm, the diameter of the spherical inflorescences is 25 cm, the shape of the latter is spherical.

• From undersized varieties onion is very interesting "Moll", which grows to 20 cm. It begins to bloom in the second decade of July and pleases with its small yellow buds in the form of a star before the onset of autumn.

• One of the closest relatives of common onion and similar to it is considered "Allium Gladiator". Its leaves can even be used as food and are often used in the preparation of salads and sauces. The height of the bush "Gladiator" reaches 100 cm, and the size of the inflorescences reaches 30 cm, the flowers are pale blue or lavender-blue, they exude a very exotic delicate scent. Such plants are usually combined with irises and used to form rocky gardens.

• By early flowering varieties include "Allium Karatavsky". It grows to 30 cm and blooms in May for 3 weeks. The flower is relatively small, round-headed. The diameter of the inflorescence reaches 12 cm, its color usually has a purple or pink hue.This is an extremely resistant plant that is optimal for central Russia, since it does not require digging for the winter and the construction of special structures.
• Grassy looks very attractive Allium Roseum. It got its name because of an interesting color that resembles the shade of roses. This plant usually does not grow above 25 cm, and its inflorescences have a small diameter - up to 8 cm. The unusual lilac-pink shade serves as a highlight of any garden design. However, it tolerates frost quite poorly, and therefore needs to be prepared for wintering.

• Many growers give good reviews on varieties The Full Sensation and Lucy Ball.

Wild onions with decorative characteristics are also found in nature.

Planting and cultivation of "Allium" does not cause much trouble for gardeners, but nevertheless, some of the rules of agricultural engineering must be observed. Even the most unpretentious plant needs care, and decorative onions are no exception.

"Allium" refers to the light-loving cultures, so the area for planting should be open, sunny, without prolonged shading.

Onions respond well to soft, loose soil, with good air access to the root system. Optimally provide drainage to eliminate the risk of stagnant water - prolonged overwetting can quickly destroy the root system of the flower.

Seeds of "Allium" should be planted in the ground in early autumn or early spring, as soon as the snow melts. With a similar method of reproduction for the young plant is very important light - the place should be directly under the rays of sunlight. Keep in mind that in the first and even in the second year you will not see flowering - this will happen no earlier than in 3-6 years, when the bulbs become sufficiently large and strong.

Seed material obtained after flowering. In order to grow a healthy plant, it is better to take the seeds from the largest inflorescences, preferably the first. Harvesting is carried out only after the flowers are completely dry.

Some varieties of Allium, especially tall ones, require stratification of seeds shortly before the spring planting. In this case, you can artificially spur natural processes and prepare seeds for awakening and germination in the best possible way.

At home, this procedure is quite simple. To do this, put the material in a canvas bag filled with sand, and clean the refrigerator for a couple of months.

If a healthy Allium bulb is planted in the ground, then in the third year of its development it will produce strong shoots with arrows and, accordingly, will begin flowering. A healthy flower usually forms 2-3 babies. The best period for vegetative reproduction is considered to be autumn - it is at this time that the plant can be transplanted. It should be borne in mind that each bulb should go deep at a distance between them - only in this case, the onion will grow throughout the site and decorate it with its beauty.

It is optimal to carry out planting at 10-12 degrees. As a rule, the work is carried out in September - then before the frost comes, the bulbs have time to take root and will bloom next summer.

The bulb is sealed to a depth corresponding to 2 diameters of its own size, and then a piece of land is covered with peat or grass mulch.

This is an unusual method of reproduction, which involves the use of biological products - growth stimulants.For this, suitable buds are carefully cut and treated with a solution - this method is recommended in order to obtain an absolute copy of the mother flower.

Designers recommend planting "Allium" next to poppies and peonies - these plants bloom at about the same time, in addition, "fluffy" neighbors with well mask the drying leaves of "Allium."

Planting plants does not present any difficulties, but for normal growth and development of flowers it is necessary to properly care for them.

"Allium" refers to plants that do not require abundant watering. Culture can tolerate short-term lack of moisture without any unpleasant consequences.

If the root system is constantly overwetted, this leads to the most deplorable consequences for bulbous ones - rotting of the bulb and the death of the flower itself. Bushes experience the need for moderate watering only at the stage of active vegetation, at the time of formation of peduncles and leaf mass.

"Allium" responds well to the introduction of ash and rotted compost. Fertilization is best carried out at the stage of active growth of the plant and during flowering. In general, the application scheme is as follows:

1. In the spring, during the active growing season, the onion requires the introduction of preparations containing nitrogen. The best way to get ready-made complexes of drugs in the nitrate form, they help to stimulate the growth of green mass, the formation of young buds and the laying of bulbs.
2. In the summer, you need to do a liquid feeding several times. Optimal use of complex mineral compounds that can be bought at any store for gardeners.
3. At the very beginning of autumn, potash-phosphate fertilizers will be optimally applied, preferably in a dry form - they will be able to prepare the plant for the winter.
4. Before the first frost, the ground in which “Allium” grows, peat or ripened humus should be mulched.

Unfortunately, there are no plants resistant to pests. And "Allium", despite its decorative origin, is not protected from diseases peculiar to plants in our strip.

The most common cause of plant diseases is illiterate care and excessive moisture - this creates favorable conditions for the destructive activity of root mites, such fungal diseases as various types of rot, peronospora, and onion flies.

The best protection of the plant will be preventive measures that can prevent unpleasant phenomena. In order to protect the bulbs, they should be heated before planting at a temperature of 40-45 degrees for 10-13 hours. This can be done using a dryer or oven.

Of the other diseases of Allium, the following are the most common:

• Tobacco Thrips - small insects that suck the vital juices from the leaves and stems of onions. To avoid "dating" with such a scourge, you must maintain high humidity. To do this, it is recommended to regularly spray and water the plant with preparations such as "Vertimec", "Spintor" or "Aktara".
• Onion fly. This pest, as a rule, affects the plant bulbs, while the bushes begin to turn yellow leaves, roots rot and the plant dies. Early planting would be a good preventive measure against the front sight, and if problems could not be avoided, then the bush should be treated with Medvedtoks or Ratibor preparations, and irrigation with a solution of table salt also proved well.
• Downy mildew and neck rot - these are very common lesions, which are successfully warned if, after digging, simply to dry the bulbs in the sun.

Decorative "Allium" requires periodic rejuvenation. To do this, every 4-5 years, it should be replanted. Some species require annual digging for the winter - such varietal features should be clarified when purchasing planting material. However, some experienced gardeners recommend digging up the bulbs of all the "Alliums" planted in Central Russia, otherwise they can freeze out at very low temperatures.

Many cut the green mass of onions after flowering - this is a common mistake. It must necessarily die off in a natural way, only in this case, the bulb can accumulate and retain the greatest number of nutrients.

The bulbs should be dug out for the winter only after all the leaves and stems have dried, after which they are cleaned of earthy coma and dried naturally. Storage is carried out in a dry place at room temperature not exceeding 20 degrees.

"Allium" is an ornamental garden culture, however, it can be eaten. However, for this purpose mainly undersized varieties are suitable. The leaves have a sharp garlic smell and taste, reminiscent of wild garlic, and contain a whole set of vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the body.

It should be borne in mind that the leaves are suitable for use only before flowering, after which they are extremely not recommended.

Many use and onion plants, especially young ones. To do this, they are boiled with honey or baked. However, you should not get involved in this process - like all other onions, in large quantities such a product can cause allergic reactions. The daily dosage should not exceed 3 g per day, otherwise the use of leaves and green "Allium" can lead to a significant deterioration in health.

But in small doses, the plant is very useful for children and adults. It contains 4 times more vitamin C, rather than in its usual bulb “colleague”. Vitamins E and D present in the composition have a tonic effect, strengthen the immune system and have a slight antitumor effect.

Varieties of decorative onions successfully relieve spasms of cerebral vessels, have the most beneficial effect on visual acuity, and are also a good help in the fight against colds and gastrointestinal diseases.

Many use the juice of "Allium" for cosmetic purposes - extracts of leaves and bulbs are rubbed into the scalp, which effectively affects the hair roots.

The main purpose of decorative onions - decorative. This is not surprising, given its exceptionally attractive appearance. All varieties are well combined with a variety of flowering plants, therefore, are commonly used for the design of flower beds, rabatok, landscape gardening zones.

When combining plants should take into account the height of the arrow, the size of the inflorescence, its color and most importantly - the period and duration of flowering. Onions in combination with roses, as well as geraniums, peonies, euphorbia and irises look very aesthetically pleasing.

Individual plantings of tall varieties look quite good, and group glades combining “Alliums” of different types look very interesting.

Due to their large spherical heads, the group plantings of Allium form a beautiful decorative carpet, the shades of which vary and can be light and dark purple, smoky-pink, blue and rich blue.

Many florists use onions to make bouquets. This is connected not only with its decorative effect, but also with the ability to keep a fresh look for 10-14 days. So that the characteristic aroma does not prevent you from enjoying an unusual bouquet, you should often change the water and add a pinch of salt to it every time - in this case the strong smell will disappear.

Plants can be dried - in this case, they can rejoice with their exotic look for several months. To do this, cut the arrows with flowers until the moment when the seeds appear in them. Billets should be dried separately from other winter bouquets, each flower being dried separately, otherwise there is a great risk of losing the natural form. Drying plants is very easy - for this they are put in a vase without adding water.

Cultivation of decorative onions is a simple process that does not require significant expenditure of effort, time and money. Moreover, many flower growers consider the cultivation of "Allium" a fascinating procedure, through which you can get beautiful and spectacular blooming balls.

Video review decorative bow "Allium" see below.