Content
The Bulgarian decorative onion is a perennial plant with graceful dark pink flowers with a white border. Differs in unpretentious care and fairly good winter hardiness. Used to decorate the garden in single plantings and flower arrangements.
Description
Bulgarian onions grow up to 90 cm in height. Flowering begins at the end of June. On the shoots, 20-30 small flowers of pale pink or dark red color appear. Flowering lasts no more than a month, but even withered flowers can be used to compose floristic compositions. Allium has satisfactory winter hardiness, but in regions with frosty winters, not only root mulching will be needed, but also burlap cover.
Despite the fact that the bulb of the bulgarian onion shoots only one season, it constantly forms children, therefore the plant is considered perennial. Thanks to its beautiful, original colors, allium can be used in almost any design.
The flowers of the decorative Bulgarian onion resemble bells in shape.
Growing from seeds
Allium can be grown from seeds. They are pretreated in Epin, Kornevin or other growth stimulants. Then they are planted in a previously prepared area. It needs to be cleaned, dug up and a complex mineral fertilizer with humus applied. They are deepened by 1-2 cm, and at first the planting is done tight.
Water and cover with foil. After the sprouts appear, the Bulgarian onions are seated in a permanent place at a distance of 20-30 cm.
The next season, the mulch is removed and fed with nitrogen fertilizer.
How and when to plant in open ground
The optimal time for planting Bulgarian onions is the end of September (in the south - the end of October). If you carry out the procedure at this time, the plant will have time to take root and will tolerate winter frosts well. The place is selected based on the following requirements:
- the site should be well lit (even a weak shadow is undesirable);
- the flower bed is located on a hill. In lowlands where moisture accumulates, allium onions will feel uncomfortable;
- where possible, the landings are protected from the winds.
The instructions for planting bulgarian onions are standard:
- For several weeks, the site is dug up and fertilized with mineral fertilizers and humus. You can add a few pinches of wood ash, but nitrogen fertilizing in the fall cannot be added.
- Allium pits must be deep enough: at least 3 bulb diameters. The distance between them is 20-30 cm (depending on the desired planting density).
- If groundwater approaches the soil surface, it is imperative to lay a drainage layer (small stone).
- If the soil is infertile, a mixture of humus with garden soil and wood ash is added to the hole during digging or during planting.
- The allium bulb is placed on the bottom and buried, after which it is well watered and mulched.
It is better to plant Bulgarian onions in the fall.
Care
Allium care is simple - compliance with watering norms and regular fertilization.Standard agricultural technology:
- Water is not given very often: in case of drought, weekly, but if the rains are heavy, then additional moisture is not needed.
- So that the soil does not dry out, it is mulched with improvised materials.
- Allium fertilizers are applied 3 times per season. In the middle of spring, nitrogen fertilizer is given. During the formation of buds and after flowering, a mixture of superphosphates with potassium salt or Agrofoska is added (complex fertilizer can also be used).
- On the eve of winter (in mid-September), humus and peat can be put on the soil surface.
- Loosening is carried out periodically, preferably after each watering and fertilization. Bulgarian ornamental onions prefer light, oxygenated soil.
- The flowerbed should be periodically weeded to remove weeds. Mulch will help get rid of them.
Diseases and pests
Allium rarely suffers from disease, as it has good immunity. But improper agricultural technology (excess water, growing in lowlands where moisture stagnates) can lead to damage by rot, powdery mildew and other fungal infections.
To prevent this, it is necessary to monitor the watering of the Bulgarian onions (the soil should be slightly damp). When the first signs of damage appear (powdery bloom, spots on the leaves, rapid yellowing of the foliage), it is necessary to treat allium with any fungicide: Bordeaux liquid, Ordan, Fitosporin, Tattu, Topaz.
Allium can also be attacked by pests. Onion flies and root mites parasitize on culture.
Folk remedies (ash solution, onion husk infusion, decoction of marigold flowers) and insecticides will help to cope with insects: Aktara, Iskra, Karate, Confidor
Reproduction
Allium can be propagated by seeds and vegetatively (by bulbs, dividing the bush).
With seed breeding, Bulgarian onions may not completely repeat the characteristics of the mother bush.
This method is laborious and not always effective: allium seeds must first be collected, planted in September in open ground under a film. After the sprouts appear, the seedlings will need to dive.
Most often, summer residents propagate allium by dividing an adult bush (minimum age 3 years). The bulgarian onions are dug up and separated so that 2-3 healthy shoots remain on each division. Then they are planted in a permanent place at a distance of 20-30 cm.
Growing tips
Caring for an allium is not very difficult. But when growing in the country, it is useful to know about some of the features of agricultural technology. Experienced gardeners recommend paying attention to these tips:
- For prophylaxis, it is recommended to warm the bulbs of the Bulgarian onion before planting overnight at a moderate temperature of no more than 35-40 ° C. Plants need to be inspected periodically, and at the beginning of summer - sprinkled with tobacco dust. This allows you to reliably protect the foliage from parasites.
- The flowering of the Bulgarian onion is short. In addition, during the appearance of inflorescences, the lower foliage begins to fade, which spoils the decorative effect of the allium. Therefore, it is advisable to plant ground covers (ampelous plants) or low-growing flowers, as well as small hosts next to it. Then the Bulgarian bow will look more attractive.
- Since allium blooms from late June to mid-July, after which the plant begins to form seeds, it is advisable to plant flowers next to it, which bloom at this time. These are, for example, petunia, lavender, hydrangea, marigolds, verbena and many others.
- If you grow bulgarian onions from seeds, it should be borne in mind that their germination rate is not very high. Therefore, it is necessary to sow many grains at once, and then dive the plants - then a significant part of the allium seedlings will be preserved.
Photo in landscape design
In the garden, allium is used in single and composite plantings: on an open, well-groomed lawn, in rabatkas and rock gardens, along paths, next to a gazebo and other recreation areas, in multi-tiered compositions.
Allium looks beautiful in single landings
Several varieties of decorative onions can be combined with each other
Allium effectively decorates the coast of the reservoir
Allium will attract attention if it is planted against the backdrop of bright garden greenery.
Conclusion
Bulgarian decorative onions are interesting for graceful flowers of unusual color. It is an undemanding perennial that is grown from bulbs. Subject to standard agricultural techniques, the allium bloom will last at least three weeks.
