Id-Code: AA 198
Family: Alliaceae, Liliaceae
Origin: North America and Northern Mexico
Special Features: Graceful nodding flowers; durable garden perennial
Colour: Round, pink blossoms
Natural Flowering Period: July - August
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z4-9
Growth Habit: Clumping
Foliage: Slender, grey-green leaves
Height with Flower: 35 cm (14'')
Spacing between Plants: 30 cm (12'')
Soil Requirement: Well-drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun or partial shade
Use: Suitable for meadows, rock gardens or plantings at the edge of wood. Plant together with Anacyclus 'Silberkissen', Campanula punctata f. rubriflora and Salvia lyrata 'Purple Knockout'
Specialities: Adapted to dry conditions
Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 4,167
Seeds per Gram: 240
Seeding Recommendation: 5 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 6 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72s or open flats
Germination: The sowing must be kept warm (about +18 to 22°C) (about 64 to 72°F) and moist for the first 2-4 weeks. After this period the sowing must be kept at a cold temperature (between -4 and +4°C) (between 25 and 39°F) for another 4-6 weeks. It is not so important if the temperature is higher of lower during the cooling period, but the cooling period has to be prolonged because the synthesis of the germination inducer, homonlike acid, slows down or comes to a standstill.
It is beneficial to cover the sowing with snow during the cooling period. After this cooling period the sowing may not be immediately exposed to high temperatures. The most effective temperatures are between +5 to 12°C (41 to 54°F), even if germination has started. The best location for this sowing, even in March, April and May, is open field, the cold frame or a cold greenhouse.
Scheduling:
Growing On:
Best Sowing Dates: October - March
Sowing to Germination: 8 - 10 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not necessary
Container Size(s): 1 plug per 8/9 cm (3 1/2''); 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2'')
Vernalization: A prudent recommendation would be to provide 6-12 weeks at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: There has been no research on ALLIUM cernuum, but an obvious place to experiment - following vernalization - would be raising daytime temperatures to 60° - 65°F (15° - 17°C). Provide 16 hours of continuous lighting. During the short days of winter, provide a night interruption lighting of 4 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Some later flowering species can be forced in 14 - 16 weeks and perhaps sooner at warmer temperatures. Further experiments are warranted with ALLIUM cernuum.
Fertilization: Light (100-150 ppm)
