Allium Drumstick

STRATIFICATION for ALLIUM Germination of Allium can be slow and erratic taking between 2 weeks to 12 months! Here are a couple of stratification suggestions to assist with their germination. NATURES STRATIFICATION Simply plant out in the garden at a depth of approximately 2cm. Leave the seeds to “over-winter”. Make a note to remember where they are so you don’t inadvertently dig them out during garden maintenance! In the spring they will naturally start to grow and should produce flowers that season. INDOOR STRATIFICATION To sow indoors, surface sow onto moist well-drained seed compost, just cover with soil. Ideal temperature is 18-22°C for 2-4 weeks. Then cold stratify (put in the fridge) -4°C-+4°C for 4-6 weeks; then return to warmth 5-12°C where the seeds should germinate. Repeat stratification (warm/cold cycle) if germination does not occur, taking out any germinated seeds to pot up. Transplant seedlings when they are large enough to handle to 8cm pots and grow on. Acclimatise for 10-15 days before planting out. Sow at any time of the year. Put the seed into one fold of a moistened paper kitchen towel, folded into 4, which has been gently squeezed to eliminate most of the water, seal the paper and seeds in a plastic bag and keep at 18-22°C for 4 weeks. Inspect weekly, pot up germinated seeds, and propagate these at 5-12°C. After the 4 weeks, put into the fridge door for 4-6 weeks at around -4 to +4°C. Inspect regularly and pot up any germinated seeds as above. After the 6 weeks, bring ungerminated seeds out of the fridge to 5-12°C for germination. If still no germination after about 12 weeks, repeat the above procedures.